Test Center Resources

Bring Your Own Device Resources for Test Centers

ACT Gateway

ACT Gateway is the secure testing browser used to take the National Online test. If you are providing devices for students to test on test day, you must download ACT Gateway. Test Center Manager (TCM) will directly control the launch of the ACT test through ACT Gateway on test day to allow for seamless administration.

Ensure Technical Capabilities

  • Your test center is required to provide examinees a strong, reliable connection with network access for their devices on test day to ensure a successful testing experience.
  • You will prepare your devices in the same way as you did with ACT Unity through the new application ACT Gateway.
  • NOTE: For the December Pilot, students will have the option to bring their own laptops on test day.
 

Install ACT Gateway

  • Devices must meet the minimum requirements.
  • Uninstall Unity and download ACT Gateway on supported School Managed devices:
    • For Chromebooks – Install ACT Gateway through the Google Admin Console
    • For Windows devices – Install ACT Gateway directly from the Microsoft Store.
    • iPads and Tablets are not supported at this time. Stay tuned for more information about Mac support in future test dates.
  • Students may need to Install ACT Gateway on their personal device.
 

2024-2025 National Test Dates Schedule 

Test Date
Registration Deadline
Device Readiness Cutoff Date
December 14, 2024 November 8 December 5
February 8, 2025 January 3 January 30
April 5, 2025 February 28 March 27
June 14, 2025 May 9 June 5
July 12, 2025 June 6 July 3

Check Device Readiness

  • ACT requires device readiness checks on all testing devices 2 to 4 weeks prior to the test. 
  • It is important to perform these checks to ensure devices meet all technical requirements and are prepared to offer the test online.
  • The site will be responsible for performing readiness checks on computers that will be provided to students on test day. For the students who are participating they will be responsible for ensuring their device is ready prior to test day.
  • NOTE: For the December Pilot, TCM will not display device status for students who opted in to bring their own computer. ACT will confirm their readiness status prior to testing in a secure email. 

To perform device readiness checks, after downloading the application select “I am a member of the testing staff” 

Register the device and press the button to Run Device Check

Bring Your Own Device FAQ

The ACT Gateway application is currently supported on Windows and Chromebook computers. The same application is used for students and test centers.

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Yes. Starting with the December test administration, to continue to test online you will have to uninstall the old application and reinstall the new update.

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  1. Visit the Microsoft Store and install ACT Unity Enterprise.
  2. Configure the ACT Unity Enterprise application as the application to launch for an assigned access user. It must be able to launch on every Windows testing workstation. This may be done individually by following these instructions.
    • If your test center would rather use an Active Directory account, follow these instructions. Use ACT Unity Enterprise instead of Edge as the application to run.
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The technical coordinator downloads ACT Unity on all testing devices, using Google Admin. The Google Admin account needs to be a single account for an entire site. If the technical coordinator does not own the account, coordinate with the person who does to ensure installation can be completed.

  1. Log in to the Google Admin console at https://admin.google.com
  2. Select Devices.
  3. Locate DEVICE SETTINGS in the left-hand column and select Chrome management.
  4. Scroll down the screen and select Apps & extensions.
  5. On the left-hand side, select the organizational unit for which you want to install ACT Unity. Then select the KIOSKS tab to access kiosk applications. Hover over the “+” icon, then click on the top icon that appears: “Add Chrome app or extension by ID.”
  6. In the pop-up dialog, enter the following string of values for Extension ID (copying and pasting is recommended): ookbjkkblnnipbjaiokbcbjaicphehim. Then, select SAVE.
  7. Modify the settings of the application to disable Allow Virtual Keyboard (move the slider from the right to the left).
  8. Select SAVE when finished.
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Yes. Students will have the option to bring a personal or school managed device as long as it can support the ACT Gateway application.

The student is responsible for performing the device readiness checks if they are bringing their own computer.

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Yes, specifically for the Pilot ACT recommends to have computers ready for all online examinees in anticipation of any technical issues that may arise.

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Yes. We provide support for Students and Test Centers during test administration.

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You will need to ensure you have sufficient bandwidth to support the number of students testing (1 Mbps of bandwidth per tester.) If you have an extended outage you will need to contact ACT.

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In order to support the Bring Your Own Device testing model, you must allow external devices onto the network. If you have additional questions, please contact ACT for assistance.

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What's Next?

Find up-to-date test ACT Test Enhancement information and FAQs.