PreACT Secure: Illinois

Tips for Success

  1. Use the training content in ACT Now to access test administration resources and walk through test administration preparation activities.
  2. Dates and deadlines for your test administration are found in the Important Dates section of this website.
  3. Watch for emails from ACT with important reminders. Add our email address to your contacts to prevent emails from going to spam/junk folders. Exemptlist email addresses from @preact.org and @operations.preact.org.

Important Dates

  • ACT Now and TCM opens: January 6, 2025
  • Test Window: March 17, 2025–April 25, 2025

Helpful Links

Expand each tray to reveal the information.

Step 1: Pre-Administration

Learn about ACT Now

Set Up ACT Now

Training:

Adding Users with Roles to ACT Now:

Manage Student Information:

  • Managing Student Information Quick Start Guide (pdf) 
    Note: Even though you will be able to edit student information, districts and schools must ensure student information is correct in the Student Information System (SIS). ISBE’s uploads will override information in ACT Now.

Manage Accommodations and English Learner (EL) Supports

Understanding Accommodations:

Assigning Accommodations:

Preparing Students for Testing with Accommodations:

Prepare for Testing 

Prepare Students for Testing

Step 2: Administration

Access ACT Now Policy Modules

Note: All test coordinators and room supervisors must read and agree to all ACT policies in TCM, accessed through ACT Now. If you are serving as your site’s test coordinator and room supervisor, you only need to agree to the training modules for the test coordinator. The information found in the room supervisor modules are captured in the test coordinator modules.

Test Coordinator Modules:

Room Supervisor Modules:

Setting Up Test Center Manager (TCM):

Administer the Test 

Administer the Test with Accommodations

Tip: If you're looking for resources, manuals, test forms, and other test administration resources, you'll find them in ACT Now and TCM training content. Look for a test day checklist, polices and tutorials, and much more!

Step 3: Post-Administration

Help Students Access and Understand Reports