Counselor Toolkit

Their Journey. Many Paths.

Get the Free Counselor's Guide 2024-2025

In this guide, you’ll find all the information you need around the national offering of the ACT test, as well as additional tools and resources to help support you as you serve your students throughout the school year. 

Get access to:

  • Downloadable calendars for important ACT dates and deadlines 
  • Season-based timelines for your juniors and seniors to support lesson planning and needs for college prep 
  • Comprehensive test prep options 
  • Important solutions to support students outside of traditional college prep
  • Access to tools that will help keep you and your students on track for their college and career journey

The dates in this document are subject to change. The most up-to-date information on the ACT test is available here.

Resources for Spanish-speaking students and parents can be found here.

Submit the form below to access the Counselor's Guide.

Downloadable Resources

Whether it’s having a stack on hand in your office or having ACT awareness in the hallways, print these resources as you need them throughout the school year.

ACT Enhancements

Keep up with the latest information about enhancements coming to the ACT test in 2025 for students who choose to test online.

 
 

K-12 Webinar Series: ACT Enhancements

Join us for a webinar series starting January 30th for K-12 educators and school counselors. Get a detailed overview of the ACT enhancements and gain valuable insights to guide your school or district through these updates with confidence.  

ACT Communication and Engagement Resources

 

Recognition Toolkit

ACT has built free Student Success Recognition Club Toolkits (“Club Kits”) that contain everything a school or district needs to create ACT and PreACT success recognition clubs.

ACT Communications Toolkit

Messaging, graphics, and resources for educators to communicate and engage students and parents around the benefits of ACT, PreACT and WorkKeys.

Dr. Ryan Luhning - How Taking the ACT Can Help Students Who Have Never Considered College

Live Sessions Now Available!

Looking for a bite-sized approach to discovering how ACT can support you, your students, and families? Explore our schedule of live sessions you can attend to get the answers you’re looking for. See you there!

 
 

Upcoming 2024 Test Dates (National)

Test Date
Regular Registration Deadline
Late Fee Applies After This Date
Late Registration Deadline
Photo Upload and Standby Deadline
September 14, 2024
January 5 August 9 September 6
October 26, 2024 September 20
October 7
October 18
December 14, 2024 November 8 November 22 December 6
February 8, 2025 January 3 January 20 January 31
April 5, 2025 February 28 March 16 March 28
June 14, 2025 May 9 May 26 June 6
July 12, 2025* June 6 June 20 July 4

*No test centers are scheduled in New York for the July test date. See Non-Saturday Testing

 

Test Administration* Enrollment/Signed Agreement & School List Deadline**
Paper Test Date
Online Testing Window
Fall 2024
(Online & Paper)
August 28, 2024
October 15, 2024
(Test Window 1) 
October 15-18 & October 21-25
(Test Window 1) 
October 29, 2024
(Test Window 2) 
October 29 – November 1 & November 4-8
(Test Window 2)
Initial Spring 2025 
(Online Only)
January 22, 2025 N/A
February 25-28 & March 3-7
(Test Window 1) 
Early Spring 2025
(Online & Paper)
January 22, 2025 March 11, 2025
(Test Window 1)
March 11-14 & March 17-21
(Test Window 1)
March 25, 2025
(Test Window 2)
March 25-28 & March 31-April 4
(Test Window 2)

Late Spring 2025
(Online & Paper)

 

February 19, 2025 April 8, 2025
(Test Window 1)
April 8-11 & April 14-18
(Test Window 1)
April 22, 2025
(Test Window 2)
April 22-25 & April 28-May 2
(Test Window 2)

* Districts may participate in fall and one of three spring administrations.
** Standard Administration (connect with us for more info on accommodation test window dates)

Free with the use of an ACT fee waiver, the Test Information Release (TIR) offers students the opportunity to receive the answer key along with the questions and their answers from the test three times a year. For more details, visit this page.

Important Events for You and Your Students

 

Webinar: Creating a College and Career Readiness Day

Join ACT experts and guest speakers to discover what a College and Career Readiness Day is and how to have a successful event at your school.

My Journey Virtual College and Career Planning Events

Check out previous My Journey sessions, and sign up to be notified when registration opens for Fall 2024 events.

ACT College and Career Readiness Workshops

Attend a College and Career Readiness Workshop

Learn more about the programs and services that ACT offers to help you ensure your students are on the right path.

Opt in to Educational Opportunity Service

Get Your Name in the Game with Educational Opportunity Service (EOS). Three Reasons to opt in to EOS when you register for the ACT: 

  1. Get discovered by colleges
  2. Find financial aid programs
  3. Broaden your college search

Additional Resources to Help Your Students

 

Making the Most of High School

Testing advice and other tools to help students lay a great foundation before graduation. 

 

Going to College After High School

Help your students understand readiness and whether they're on the path to achieve it.

 

All Things Career Readiness

Help students enter the workforce, build certifications, and gain college credit while showcasing career skills.

 

Developing Social Emotional Skills

Resources and tips to help foster key social and emotional skills.

New York students are unlocking their own potential with the ACT!

"The ACT data is helping us have conversations about what our students need to be successful at when they leave our school – whether they’re going into career or they’re going to college. I think that we’ve just begun to scratch the surface of really how we can use the ACT data to serve our students.” - Vicky Roller, School Counselor (Newport High School, OR) 

Counselors like you across the country are using the ACT and the data and resources we provide to make genuine connections with students and help guide them down a path of readiness for whatever comes next! 

Read more success stories below: 

Recursos para estudiantes y padres

¿Sabía quey padres ACT tiene recursos para estudiantes y sus padres que hablan español? Estas herramientas útiles incluyen:

  • Artículos, libros electrónicos y herramientas de planificación útiles
  • Guías para cada grado
  • Examen ACT de práctica gratuito
  • Consejos útiles para realizar el examen ACT y para tu camino hacia la universidad y tu carrera (vídeos)

Obtenga más información en act.org/estudiante.