The ACT Test: Arizona

Test Administration Process Next Steps

Select your current phase of the test administration process to see resources related to that phase.

 

Step 1: Orientation - Learn about test formats and policies; select test dates and provide shipping information; select test staff and set up accounts.

Step 2: Configuration -  Upload student data records; verify enrollment for test materials.

Step 3: Accommodation - Learn about accessibility supports; request accommodations and/or supports; request qualified exceptions to the deadline.

Step 4: Preparation - Order test materials; complete non-test activities; provide examinees test prep information; prepare your facility, staff, and materials; update examinee information.

Step 5: Administration - Administer the test.

Step 6: Transportation: Return test materials.

Step 7: Interpretation - Access and understand score reports; share reporting information with examinees.

Important Dates

Your Schedule of Events (web content) contains all dates and deadlines for your test event. Check it frequently to ensure you're on track for a successful administration.

Test Dates

The ACT Taken on Paper

  • Test Window 1: March 25, 2025
  • Test Accommodations Window 1: March 25–28, 2025 and March 31–April 4, 2025
  • Test Window 2: April 8, 2025
  • Test Accommodations Window 2: April 8–11, 2025 and April 14–18, 2025

The ACT Taken Online

  • Test Window 1: March 25–28, 2025 and March 31–April 4, 2025
  • Test Window 2: April 8–11, 2025 and April 14–18, 2025

Documents will be replaced as they become available for Spring 2025 testing

Helpful Links

Expand each tray to reveal the information you're looking for.

Accommodations Office Hours: Link 

Arizona Questions:
319-337-1567

ACT General Questions:
800.553.6244, ext. 2800
contact form

Accommodations
800.553.6244, ext. 1788
ACTStateAccoms@act.org

State Policy Questions:
Arizona Department of Education
602-542-5345
Email
Website

Learn about Test Formats and Policies

Resources:

Select Test Dates and Verify Shipping Address (Manage Participation)

Dates:

calendar November 4–December 6, 2024

Websites:

Resources:

Training:

Select Test Staff and Set Up Accounts

Websites:

Resources:

Training:

Tip: When the district test coordinator changes the school test coordinator in PearsonAccessnext, remember to deactivate the existing test coordinator's user account. Updates need to be completed in two places: the manage contacts screen and creating a new user account.

Upload Student Data Records (SDU File)

Dates:

calendar January 27, 2025

Websites:

Resources:

Training:

Tip: The formatting in the SDU template includes instructions for how to create a successful file. Be sure to delete the sample row and all blank rows prior to uploading to PearsonAccessnext.

Verify Enrollment Counts

Dates:

calendar January 27–February 14, 2025

Websites:

Resources:

Tip: To verify accommodations/supports counts, run an Accommodations and Supports Roster in PearsonAccessnext.

Training:

Complete Site Readiness for Online Testing

Dates:

calendar December 2, 2024–February 19, 2025

Websites:

Resources:

ACT Online Technical Readiness Training Tutorials

Learn about Accessibility Supports

Websites:

Resources:

Training:

Request Accommodations and/or English Learner (EL) Supports

Dates:

calendar September 16, 2024–February 7, 2025

Websites:

Resources:

Training:

Request Qualified Exceptions to the Deadline

Dates:

calendar February 10–March 21, 2025

calendar March 24–28, 2025

Websites:

Resources:

Tip: Reconsideration is used if you submitted a request for accommodations that was denied. Qualified Exceptions to the Deadline is for limited reasons as indicated on the form.

Tip: If selecting the qualified exceptions date in TAA, make sure to attach the Qualified Exceptions to the Deadline Form in the request.

Arrange for Accommodations and/or English Learner Supports

Resources:

Order Test Materials

Dates:

calendarTest Window 1: February 24–March 14, 2025

calendarTest Window 2: March 25–28, 2025

Websites:

Resources:

Training:

Tip: If additional materials are needed for examinees authorized by ACT to test with accommodations/supports, call the ACT Accommodations team. Use the Accommodations and Supports Roster, which can be accessed in PearsonAccessnext by Test Coordinators and Room Supervisors, to provide information to ensure the right students receive additional materials.

Tip: You can track test materials shipments using Orders and Shipment Tracking. See the View Status and Shipment Information section in the PearsonAccessnext User Guide.

Complete Non-Test Activities

Dates:

calendar Students have an additional two days after they finish testing to complete their non-test information in MyACT.

Websites:

Resources:

Tip: To provide visibility into the non-test information process, schools will have access to a new daily Student Code Usage Status report after receiving their first shipment of materials. This report is posted in the Published Reports section in PearsonAccessnext. Refer to the Accessing Reports section of PearsonAccessnext User Guide for instructions. This report contains “Yes” or “No” to indicate students who have not used their Student Code or not completed college choices.

Provide Examinees Test Prep Information

Websites:

Resources:

Prepare Your Facility, Staff, and Test Materials

Resources:

Training:

Update Examinee Information

Dates:

calendarTest Window 1: February 17–March 24, 2025

calendarTest Window 2: February 17-April 17, 2025

Websites:

Resources:

Create Online Test Sessions

Dates:

calendarTest Window 1: February 24–April 4, 2025

calendarTest Window 2: April 2–18, 2025

Websites:

Resources:

Training:

Administer the Test

Paper Testing Dates:

calendarTest Window 1 Standard Time Administration Date: March 25, 2025

calendarTest Window 1 Accommodations Administration Window: March 25–28, 2025 and March 31–April 4, 2025

calendarTest Window 2 Standard Time Administration Date: April 8, 2025

calendarTest Window 2 Accommodations Administration Window: April 8–11, 2025 and April 14–18, 2025

Online Testing Dates:

calendarTest Window 1 Standard Time and Accommodations Administration Window: March 25–28, 2025 and March 31–April 4, 2025

calendarTest Window 2 Standard Time and Accommodations Administration Window: April 8–11, 2025 and April 14–18, 2025

Resources:

Forms

Administration Manuals

Supplements

Video

Tip: Ensure you are using the correct materials for your test date and type to avoid cancellation of scores.

Tip: ACT test translated directions for students testing on paper are shipped with secure test materials.

Tip: If you are testing an examinee authorized for English learner supports, have the ACT-Authorized Bilingual Word-to-Word Dictionaries list handy to verify at check in that the examinee’s dictionary can be used for testing.

Return Test Materials

Paper Dates:

calendarTest Window 1 standard time testing materials receipt deadline: April 1, 2025

calendarTest Window 1 accommodations testing materials receipt deadline: April 11, 2025

calendarTest Window 2 standard time testing materials receipt deadline: April 15, 2025

calendarTest Window 2 accommodations testing materials receipt deadline: April 25, 2025

Resources:

Training:

Tip: Do not return unused answer documents from initial testing. Use those for makeup testing.

Tip: Return answer documents following testing so they arrive at ACT by the receipt deadline listed on the Schedule of Events and can be scored.

Tip: Return all ACT-authorized accommodations materials at the end of the testing window, rather than returning materials for individual examinees as they complete testing.

Tip: If you receive an additional order, write your high school name and code on the return shipping labels.