Choosing an ACT Test Date in 2027

If you’re planning to take the ACT in 2027, choosing a test date is one of the first decisions you’ll need to make. You’ll want enough time to prepare, a schedule that works with school and other commitments, and results available before your college or scholarship deadlines.

Below, you’ll find the 2027 ACT test dates and registration deadlines, followed by advice on choosing a date and finding a prep course that fits. We’ll also look at when to begin studying and how to leave room for a retake, so you can build a plan before committing to a test.

When are the ACT test dates in 2027?

ACT has published these national test dates and deadlines through July 2027. They apply to the United States, U.S. territories, and Puerto Rico.

ACT test date	Regular registration	Late registration	Photo upload/standby
February 27	January 22	February 9	February 22
April 10	March 5	March 23	April 5
June 12	May 7	May 25	June 7
July 10	June 4	June 22	July 5

All dates in the table are in 2027. Deadlines close at 11:59 p.m. Central Time. Schedule checked November 2, 2026, against ACT’s official test calendar.

For the rest of the year, ACT lists September 11, October 16, and December 11, 2027, as projected dates. They may change, and registration deadlines have not yet been published.

ACT has announced that July testing will be available in New York beginning in 2027. Participating test centers will continue to be added through spring 2027, so check availability when registering. School-day and international testing follow separate schedules.

Put the registration deadlines on your calendar, too

Once you’ve picked a date, you’ll need to officially reserve a seat for the test. Complete your ACT registration separately from enrolling in a prep course, and set reminders for the regular registration and photo deadlines.

Registering after the regular deadline adds a late fee. If you miss the late deadline, standby testing may be an option, but a seat is not guaranteed. Keep in mind that ACT will cancel your registration if you miss the required photo deadline.

If you need accommodations or English learner supports, involve your school official early. ACT’s accommodations request deadline, including appeals, falls on the regular registration deadline. The accommodations deadline arrives before the late registration deadline, so submit your request early.

Choose a test date that leaves room to improve

For many juniors, a winter or spring first attempt makes sense because it leaves later dates available. An April test, followed by a possible June retake, for example, gives you a chance to review your results and adjust your preparation.

You don’t have to commit to several attempts immediately. Start with one realistic date and keep a possible second date in mind. Our guide to retaking the ACT explains how to decide whether another attempt would help.

Seniors should work backward from college and scholarship deadlines. Check each school’s last accepted test date and score submission rules before relying on a fall exam. ACT’s score release schedule lists initial release dates; those dates don’t guarantee that every student’s results will be available immediately. Writing scores can take longer.

Then check your everyday calendar. A June exam may suit a student who can prepare steadily through spring. July may offer more flexibility after school ends, although travel or a summer job can eat into that time. Choose the stretch when you can actually do the work.

Match your prep course to your timeline

Before comparing courses, take a timed practice test that reflects the current ACT format. Review your section results and the questions you missed. A student who needs help with pacing may need a different plan from one who is still learning several math concepts.

When you review that first test, write down why each answer went wrong. Did you forget a grammar rule, misread the question, or run out of time? Bring those patterns to your course selection. You’ll have a more useful conversation with an instructor if you can explain where you’re struggling than if you only have a target score in mind.

Our overview of ACT prep resources can help you compare the options. As you narrow them down, pay attention to the weekly commitment and when the course ends.

Live classes provide a regular schedule

Prep Expert® offers a 6-Week Flagship course and an 8-Week Capstone course. Both include two three-hour live classes each week, plus homework and practice exams.

That means checking more than whether you’re free during class. Leave space to complete assignments, take a full practice test, and review your answers. If six classroom hours already fill every available evening, consider a different session or test date.

Compare the actual first and last class dates, meeting days, and time zone. Choose a course that finishes before your exam, ideally with some room for final review. Enrolling before the ACT registration deadline does not automatically leave enough time to complete a course.

Self-paced prep needs its own deadlines

A self-paced course can work well when your weekly schedule changes. Prep Expert®’s New ACT Video Course and New ACT Founder Course let students work through recorded lessons on their own schedules.

Before enrolling, decide when you’ll study. For example, you might reserve two weekday sessions for lessons and practice questions, then use part of the weekend for timed work and review.

Also check how long you retain access and what help is available when you get stuck. Flexible access is useful, but your chosen test date still sets the deadline for finishing your preparation.

A weekend review is for finishing touches

Prep Expert®’s Weekend Review is designed as a refresher for students who have already completed a full prep course. It can help you revisit strategies near test day.

If you’re starting from scratch two weeks before the ACT, consider a later test date if your application schedule allows. Give yourself enough time to understand difficult material and practice applying it.

What would an April 2027 prep plan look like?

Suppose you choose the April 10, 2027, ACT. Here’s one way to plan backward:

• January: Take a diagnostic test, identify your biggest gaps, and compare courses. Review the full class schedule before choosing a session.
• Late January or early February: Begin an eight-week course that finishes before the exam, with time afterward for review.
• Mid-to-late February: A six-week course may fit if its actual ending date falls before April 10.
• By March 5: Complete regular ACT registration. Submit any accommodations or English learner support requests by this deadline, too.
• Through March: Attend lessons, complete assignments, and review mistakes on practice tests. Use those results to decide what needs more attention.
• By April 5: Upload your required registration photo. During the final week, review familiar strategies and confirm your test-day arrangements.

These are planning windows, rather than advertised course start dates. Check the session you’re considering before enrolling. If its schedule leaves you rushing through the last lessons, look for an earlier start or a later exam.

Build your plan around the date you choose

Once you have a test date in mind, compare Prep Expert®’s ACT prep courses and choose a format you can consistently attend and complete. Put the classes, independent study sessions, registration deadline, and photo deadline on the same calendar.

You’ll head into preparation with a clear answer to two questions: when you’re taking the ACT and what you’ll do each week to get ready.