Photo Submission Requirements for the ACT Test

Photo Submission Requirements

To complete your registration, you must provide a recent photo of yourself for identification and test security purposes. This photo will print on your ticket and on the score report that is automatically sent to your high school. ACT will retain the photo for a period of time consistent with active use of test scores and test security purposes, and use as described in the ACT Privacy Policy.

Photo submission options include:

Uploading a photo from your computer
Uploading a photo using a mobile device

Your photo must be added by the photo upload deadline for your test date or your registration will be cancelled and you will NOT be admitted to test. You cannot print your ticket until the photo is added.

Students who wish to apply for an exception due to religious prohibitions should call ACT at 319.337.1270 to discuss their individual situation as early in the process as possible and no later than the regular registration deadline for their desired test date.

Photos

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

Examples of Acceptable Photos

Acceptable

Portrait format, plain background

Acceptable

Portrait format, plain background

Examples of Unacceptable Photos

Photos like the ones below may be rejected and result in students not being able to take the test on their registered testing day.

Photo is too dark.

Photo is too light.

Should be a plain background.

Face is too small.

Photo is blurry.

Face obscured by hair and hand.

Face is too close.

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

Uploading Photos

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

Upload from computer

You will be prompted to upload your photo when you register online. If you register using your smartphone, you may be able to directly upload a saved photo or take a photo directly from your device.

While you can upload your photo any time up to the deadline noted below, you are strongly encouraged to complete this part of your registration and print your ticket as soon as possible, to ensure everything is in order well before test day.

Deadlines

If you are uploading your photo, your photo must be added by the photo upload deadline for your test date. The test dates and deadlines are listed below.

2024 - 2025 Photo Submission Deadlines
ACT Test Date	Photo Upload Deadline (by midnight central time)
September 14, 2024	September 6
October 26, 2024	October 18
December 14, 2024	December 6
February 8, 2025	January 31
April 5, 2025	March 28
June 14, 2025	June 6
July 12, 2025*	July 4

*No test centers are scheduled in New York for the July test date.

If you miss the deadline, your registration will be cancelled and you will NOT be admitted to test. If your registration is cancelled, the registration fee will not be refunded. You may, however, request a test date change, if you are not registered for standby.