How to Register for the ACT 

With the increase in security measures placed on the registration process, it is important to remember that these steps are being taken to make the test more secure and equitable for the students taking the test. However, this added security comes with a few more steps, and a few more challenges.

The attached sheet has the 2022-2023 test schedule and can also be found here. It correlates with the school year. 

REGISTER 

• Go to ACT.org
• Select Register for the ACT 
• Then Create Account if it is your first time testing

To begin the process, you must set up an account for your child. Be sure to use a PERSONAL EMAIL. Your child’s high school assigned email address will deactivate after graduation. If you need to send scores after that for any reason, you may not be able to retrieve a verification code or other important information sent to the email on file. 

Use your child’s given name and that accurately matches the spelling on their ID— either their School ID, State ID, or Driver's License. If you notice that their ID card is incorrect, get it fixed prior to test day. Your child will use this ID to check into the testing center. Colleges will eventually receive their scores and match the scores to their applications— which also must use their given names. I mention this as I have seen school ID’s with nicknames or the name the student uses in school, such as a middle name.  

The registration then asks for a history of your child’s prior classes. Do not stress about entering this information. College admission personnel do not see this information! If you incorrectly enter their highest level math class, it is ok. This information is not critical to your child testing, it is merely data for the ACT to use internally. 

SITE SELECTION

Not all high schools offer the ACT on national test dates. Participating locations have followed specific criteria put in place to be a testing site and are guaranteed to have trained the appropriate number of proctors for the test. They have also guaranteed a certain number of seats. The ACT will allow registrations at a particular site only until the maximum number of seats are filled. 

Registering early will ensure you are likely to get the closest or most convenient location. Typically, the sites closest to you will populate first. If a school is not on the list, they either do not offer the test or are full. Calling the ACT or a particular high school will NOT change this!  Simply select another site and continue. Do not risk being shut out completely! 

If you will be out of town, you can register to take the test at a facility near you. I have had several students take a Saturday morning during vacation or while on college visits take the test. 

LATE REGISTRATION

Once the regular deadline has passed, the ACT will have a late registration deadline which requires a late fee. The deadlines are listed on the attached sheet. 

PHOTO UPLOAD— NEW INFO!

The ACT has updated the photo requirement for the test; while they have required a photo for some time, there is now a hard deadline as to when the photo must be uploaded by— also included on the date document above. 

If you do not upload a photo, your child CANNOT take the test. They don't care if you have 74 ID’s proving who you are. The required photo can be taken with your iPhone and immediately uploaded. Per the ACT,

Basics

• Your photo must be a clear image of ONLY you (not blurry, grainy, or fuzzy) against a plain background

• The photo must be a full face-and-shoulders shot, squarely facing the camera

• You must use a portrait (not landscape) photo that is correctly oriented

• You must be facing the camera

• You cannot wear dark glasses

• Your photo cannot be enhanced in any way (for example, no lenses, filters, text, emoji, stickers, etc.)

• If you wear a head covering daily for religious reasons, adjust it to provide a full-face view

Additional tips

• Make sure your facial features and hair are visible. Excessive light, shadow, or busy backgrounds might make your photo unacceptable for use

• If you wear a head covering daily for religious reasons, adjust it to provide a full-face view

• Do not scan your driver's license or school ID photo. The scanned image will not be of high enough quality to meet the system's requirements for an acceptable photo

• Do not submit a photo of a photo

Format and size

• You can upload a JPG, JPEG, PNG, or BMP image file

• The maximum file size is 5MB

• If you scan your photo, the resulting file must print as a 2" x 2" image or larger

• The photo must be at least 640 x 480 pixels

• If you have scanned your photo, crop the image to show only your head and shoulders before you upload it

More information can be found at Photo Submission Requirements for the ACT Test.

TICKET

Once you have completed registration, you will print your ‘ticket’ to enter the testing facility. Be sure to keep this in a folder marked ‘ACT’. This will allow you to easily access it the night before the test as you assemble everything you need: your ticket, photo ID, sharpeneed #2 pencils, your calculator (check this link to ensure your calculator meets the requirements), a functional watch (no smart watches permitted!), and snacks and water for the break. Have everything together to make the morning of the test less stressful. 

If you have any questions about the new deadlines or how to register for the ACT in general, please reach out at any time!.