College bound: ACT delays much-anticipated change, sets national test dates

Just when we thought we had this college-testing “new normal” figured out, along comes something new. The ACT just announced that it will delay a much-anticipated changes—single-section retesting—until next year.

But on the plus side, it will still roll out its online-testing option in September. Students who want to take the computer-based test will need to select a testing location that offers this option when they register. In addition, it has added two dates to its September calendar and three to its October offerings in an effort to make the test more accessible in the age of COVID-19.

“Postponing the availability of section retesting for upcoming national ACT test dates will enable us to increase testing capacity for those who need to take the full ACT test,” said ACT CEO Janet Godwin in s statement. “Our priority is to provide seats for those students most impacted by COVID-19-related capacity limitations who still need a composite score. This decision will also ease the burden on higher education professionals who are navigating their own unique challenges in response to the pandemic.”

The ACT still plans to administer its July 18 test at locations deemed safe and in compliance with local government and CDC guidelines. Students scheduled to take the test at a center that doesn’t meet such guidelines will be notified by email and offered a refund or new test date.

And for students who take the ACT more than once, the ACT says it will still provide “superscored” score reports to colleges, a practice that helps many students achieve a stronger composite score.

Here are the national test dates for the ACT for 2020-2021, current as of early July.

Sept. 12, 2020 test date
Registration deadline: Aug. 14
Late Fee Required: Aug. 15 to Aug. 28

Sept. 13, 2020 test date
Registration deadline To Be Determined

Sept. 19, 2020 test date
Registration deadline TBD

Oct. 10, 2020 test date
Registration TBD

Oct. 17, 2020 test date
Registration TBD

Oct. 24, 2020 test date
Registration deadline: Sept. 18
Late Fee Required: Sept. 19 to Oct. 2

Oct. 25, 2020 test date
Registration deadline TBD

Dec. 12, 2020 test date
Registration deadline: Nov. 6
Late Fee Required: Nov. 7 to Nov. 20

Feb. 6, 2021 test date
Registration deadline: Jan. 8
Late Fee Required: Jan. 9 to Jan. 15

April 17, 2021 test date
Registration deadline: March 12
Late Fee Required: March 13 to March 26

June 12, 2021 test date
Registration deadline: May 7
Late Fee Required: May 8 to May 21

July 17, 2021 test date
Registration deadline: June 18
Late Fee Required: June 19 to June 25

Suzanne Wood is assistant director at Raleigh Tutoring and specializes in helping students master the English, reading and writing sections of the ACT and SAT.