District Testing
US Students
ACT District Testing Initial Spring
The ACT District Testing program provides students the opportunity to earn college-reportable ACT scores by taking the test in their own classrooms.
Next Steps | Welcome | Test Dates | Tips for Success | Help and Contact
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 Online
Test Window 1: February 25-March 7, 2025
Initial Spring Administration can only be delivered online unless there is an approved accommodation that can only be delivered on paper.
Documents will be replaced as they become available for spring 2025 testing
Tips for Success
- Bookmark this web page and check back frequently for updated content. Content will be added as it's available.
- Mark important dates from your Schedule of Events on your calendar and set reminders for deadlines.
- Familiarize yourself with the seven stages of the testing cycle (Orientation, Configuration, Accommodation, Preparation, Administration, Transportation, and Interpretation) by browsing using the links provided. You can see a brief description, action items, and resources associated with each stage to help you get a feel for the testing timeline. Content will be linked as it becomes available.
- Watch for emails from ACT with important reminders. Add our email address to your contacts to prevent emails from going to spam/junk folders. Please see Exemptlisting instructions.
Learn about Test Formats and Policies
Resources:
- What's New (web content)
- Testing Policies and Information (web content) (select the first result listed after applying search filters)
- ACT District Testing-Differences in State vs. District Testing (pdf)
- Test Coordinator Checklist (pdf)
Select Test Dates and Verify Shipping Address (Manage Participation)
Dates:
November 11, 2024–January 24, 2025
Websites:
Resources:
- PearsonAccessnext User Guide (web content) (select the Test Date and Materials Receipt Selection section)
- Address Change Request Form (webform)
Training:
Select Test Staff and Set Up Accounts
Websites:
Resources:
- Staff Requirements, Roles, and Responsibilities (web content) (select the first result listed after applying search filters)
- PearsonAccessnext User Guide (web content) (select the Managing Contact and User Account Information section)
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:
November 11, 2024–January 24, 2025
Websites:
Resources:
- Student Data Upload File Requirements and Loading Instructions (pdf)
- Student Data Upload File Requirements and Loading Instructions - Fixed Width Format (pdf)
- Student Data Upload Header Template (xlsx)
- How to verify Test Day Selection and SDU (pdf)
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:
January 24–March 7, 2025
Websites:
Resources:
- PearsonAccessnext User Guide (web content) (select the Managing Test Materials, Accessing Reports, and Submit a Request to Enroll or Unenroll an Examinee sections)
- PearsonAccessnext Operational Reports Layout (pdf)
- Managing Enrollment and Materials for Testing (pdf)
Tip: To verify accommodations/supports counts, run an Accommodations and Supports Roster in PearsonAccessnext.
Training:
- Enroll/Verify/Update Students in PearsonAccessnext (training tutorial)
- Managing Enrollment and Materials for Testing (training tutorial)
Complete Site Readiness for Online Testing
Dates:
December 2, 2024–January 29, 2025
Websites:
Resources:
- Technical Coordinator Checklist (pdf)
- Technical Requirements for the ACT Test Taken Online (web content)
- The ACT Online Testing Site Readiness Plan (pdf)
- Mock Administration Guide (web content)
ACT Online Technical Readiness Training Tutorials
Learn about Accessibility Supports
Websites:
Resources:
- Quick Start Guide for Requesting Accommodations and/or English Learner Supports (pdf)
- Setting Up for Success - Online Reporting and TAA (pdf)
- ACT Training Information Graphic-English Learner (EL) Supports (pdf)
- Accessibility Supports Guide for the ACT (web content)
Training:
Request Accommodations and/or English Learner (EL) Supports
Dates:
November 11, 2024–January 24, 2025
Websites:
Resources:
- Consent to Release Information (pdf)
- Test Accessibility and Accommodations (TAA) User Guide (pdf)
- Test Accessibility and Accommodations (TAA) System Supports (web content)
Training:
- Requesting Accommodations and English Learner Supports Using TAA (video)
- How to Create an Account to Request Accommodation through TAA (training tutorial)
Request Qualified Exceptions to the Deadline
Dates:
January 27–February 21, 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
Websites:
Resources:
- PearsonAccessnext User Guide (web content) (select the Managing Test Materials section)
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:
Test Window 1: February 10–24, 2025
Websites:
Resources:
- Taking the ACT (pdf)
- Taking the ACT - Spanish (pdf)
- Non-Test Activities (web content) (select the first result listed after applying search filters)
- Non-Test Instructions for Student (Blank Form) (pdf)
- Non-Test Instructions for Student (Blank Form with Mail Merge) (docx)
- MyACT User Guide for Test Coordinators (pdf)
- MyACT User Guide for Students (pdf)
- MyACT Account Setup - State & District Testing (video)
- MyACT Interest and Careers Inventories (pdf)
- MyACT Benefits and Tips for School and Student (pdf)
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:
- Test Facilities (web content) (select the first result listed after applying search filters)
- Test Staff (web content) (select the first result listed after applying search filters)
- Test Materials (web content) (select the first result listed after applying search filters)
- Test Administration (web content) (select the first result listed after applying search filters)
Training:
- ACT Test Administration Training #1 (webinar)
- ACT Test Administration Training #1 slides (pdf)
- ACT Test Administration Training #2 (webinar)
- ACT Test Administration Training #2 slides (pdf) (coming soon)
Tip: Students may not receive scores from more than one test date per season (spring or fall). If students are allowed to test more than once in a season, ACT will report only the scores from the first test. The second set of scores will be cancelled. The Administration Manual includes details on student eligibility for makeup testing within an ACT District or ACT State test administration. A student may not test in both an ACT District and an ACT State administration.
Update Examinee Information
Dates:
Test Window 1: January 24–March 7, 2025
Websites:
Resources:
- PearsonAccessnext User Guide (web content) (select the Manage Examinee Information section)
Create Online Test Sessions
Dates:
Test Window 1: February 3–March 7, 2025
Websites:
Resources:
- Technical Guide (web content)
- ACT Administration Online Manual (web content)
- Preparing Students for the ACT Test Taken Online (pdf)
- Preparing for Online Testing - Quick Start Guide (pdf)
Training:
Administer the Test
Online Testing Dates:
Test Window 1 Standard Time and Accommodations Administration Window: February 25-March 7, 2025
Resources:
Forms
- Test Administration Form - ACT Accommodations Paper (pdf)
- Test Administration Form - ACT Online Standard Time (online testing) (pdf)
- Test Administration Form - ACT Online Accommodations (online testing) (pdf)
Administration Manuals
- ACT Administration Manual - Accommodations Paper (pdf)
- ACT Administration Manual - Online Testing (pdf)
- ACT Test Coordinator Information Manual (pdf)
Supplements
- ACT Test Translated Directions for English Learners-Online Testing (pdf)
- ACT Test Translated Directions for English Learners (pdf)
- ACT-Authorized Bilingual Word-to-Word Dictionaries list (pdf)
- Prohibited Device Poster (pdf)
- Calculator Policy (pdf)
- Room Supervisor Checklist-Online (pdf)
- Room Supervisor Checklist-Paper (pdf)
- Pre-Recorded Audio Guidelines (pdf)
- Video American Sign Language Usage Guidelines (pdf)
Video
- Test Day Overview for Room Supervisors (paper) (video)
- Test Day Overview for Online Room Supervisors (video)
- How to Enter Online Irregularities (training tutorial)
- Manage Online Test Session (training tutorial)
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
Resources:
- Collecting, Packing, and Returning Test Materials (web content) (select the first result listed after applying search filters)
- Secure Storage and Transport of Test Materials Form (pdf)
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.
Access and Understand Score Reports
The Individual Student Report is now available for download in Online Reporting for the ACT State and District customers in both an English and Spanish version.
Dates:
Score Report Schedule for the ACT Test (web content)
Websites:
Resources:
- Setting Up for Success - Online Reporting and TAA (pdf)
- Download Data in Online Reporting - FAQs (web content)
- ACT Online Reporting User Guide (pdf)
- ACT User Handbook for Educators (pdf)
- MyACT Quick Start Guide (pdf)
- Sample Score Report - High School (pdf)
- Best Practices for Trusted Agents (pdf)
Training:
- ACT Online Reporting State and District Benefits Features Navigation and Rosters (video)
- ACT Online Reporting State and District Contract Reports and Student Reports (video)
- ACT Online Reporting State and District Summary Data Tool Resources (video)
- ACT Instructional Mastery For K-12 Schools and Districts (web content)
Share Reporting Information with Examinees
Websites:
Resources: