ACT Test Dates 2024: Full Schedule & Deadlines

If you’re mapping out your college admissions timeline, few dates matter more than test day. With seven national ACT test dates in 2024, the schedule offers real flexibility — but missing a registration deadline can cost you time and a late fee.

National test dates per year: 7 ·
Standard registration fee: $68 ·
ACT score range: 1–36 ·
Average ACT score: 20.3

Here are the essential numbers for the 2024 ACT.

When can I test for the ACT?

ACT offers seven national test dates in 2024, plus school-district testing on different dates. Registration typically opens about a month before each test and closes two to three weeks prior.

What are the ACT test dates for 2024?

• February 10, 2024 (ACT official schedule)
• April 13, 2024 (ACT official schedule)
• June 8, 2024 (ACT official schedule)
• July 13, 2024 (ACT official schedule)
• September 14, 2024 (ACT official schedule)
• October 26, 2024 (ACT official schedule)
• December 14, 2024 (ACT official schedule)

What are the registration deadlines for 2024?

Standard registration closes about four weeks before each test date. Late registration is available for an additional $38 fee, usually closing about two weeks before the test. For example, the June 13, 2026 test has a regular deadline of May 8 and a late deadline of May 29 (ACT (registration page)). While 2024 deadlines follow the same pattern, always check the ACT website for exact cutoff dates.

The pattern: seven dates, regular registration closes four weeks early, late registration costs an extra $38. The implication: if you miss the regular deadline, you still have a second window — but it costs you.

The pattern: early registration saves money and reduces stress.

Is the ACT harder than the SAT?

This is one of the most common questions from juniors and sophomores. The answer depends on your strengths: the ACT includes a science section and allows less time per question, while the SAT emphasizes evidence-based reading and math.

How do the ACT and SAT differ in structure?

Seven key differences, one pattern: the ACT moves faster but covers more ground.

What this means: if you’re comfortable with quick data interpretation from graphs and diagrams, the ACT science section plays to your advantage. If you prefer deeper reading time, the SAT might suit you better. Colleges accept both equally — no preference, according to admissions offices.

Which test is preferred by colleges?

All U.S. colleges that require standardized tests accept both the ACT and SAT. Harvard, for example, states it has no preference (Harvard Admissions (official policy)). The real question is which test lets you show your best score.

The trade-off: taking both tests can double prep time. Many students pick one, prep for 3–4 months, and take it twice.

How to Register for the ACT: Step-by-Step

Registration is entirely online through the ACT website. Here’s how it works.

1. Create an ACT account at act.org (official registration portal).
2. Choose a test date and location — you can search for test centers near you.
3. Upload a photo that meets ACT requirements.
4. Pay the fee — $68 (ACT without Writing) or $93 (ACT with Writing) (PrepScholar test prep resource).
5. Print your admission ticket after registration is confirmed.
6. Prepare — review what to bring (calculator, approved ID, sharpened pencils).
7. Take the test — arrive early on test day.

The catch: if you miss the standard deadline, late registration is open until about two weeks before the test but costs an extra $38 (Compass Education Group (test prep analytics)). And changing your test date after registration costs $44.

What does a 27 ACT score equal in SAT?

Colleges use official concordance tables to compare ACT and SAT scores. A 27 ACT composite roughly equals a 1300–1360 SAT total (College Board & ACT concordance tables).

How to convert ACT scores to SAT scores

• 27 ACT ≈ 1300–1360 SAT
• 30 ACT ≈ 1390–1410 SAT
• 33 ACT ≈ 1460–1500 SAT
• 36 ACT = 1600 SAT (College Board & ACT concordance tables)

Why this matters: a 27 ACT is solidly above the national average of 20.3 (ACT (national norms)), but it may fall short for highly selective colleges. Knowing the SAT equivalent helps you compare your application profile across schools that publish only SAT ranges.

Is a 27 ACT score good?

Good is relative. Let’s look at the data.

What percentile is a 27 ACT score?

A 27 ACT score places you in approximately the 85th percentile of all test-takers (ACT (percentile ranks)). That means you scored higher than 85% of students nationwide.

So yes, it’s a good score — above average and competitive for many state universities and mid-tier private colleges.

Is a 27 ACT score competitive for college admissions?

It depends on the school. For flagship state universities like the University of Michigan or University of Texas, a 27 may be below their middle 50% range. For Harvard, the middle 50% ACT range is 33–35 (Harvard Admissions admitted class profile). For many other good colleges — University of Arizona, Ohio State, Florida State — a 27 is right in the sweet spot. Always check each school’s published profile.

The implication: know your target schools’ score ranges before committing to a test date.

Can you get into Harvard with a 26 ACT?

Technically yes, but the odds are steep. Harvard uses holistic admissions — test scores are just one factor. Still, the data is sobering.

What is the average ACT score for Harvard?

Harvard’s middle 50% ACT range for admitted students is 33–35 (Harvard Admissions admitted class profile). That means 75% of admitted students scored a 33 or higher. Only 25% scored below 33.

What ACT score do you need for Harvard?

There’s no hard cutoff, but a 26 is well below the 25th percentile. To be competitive, you’d likely need extraordinary extracurriculars, essays, and a near-perfect GPA. The pattern: the score bar is high — but not the only bar. However, a 26 puts you at a significant statistical disadvantage.

The implication: if you’re aiming for Harvard and scoring a 26, consider intensive prep or a test-optional strategy. But test-optional at Harvard is still new and many applicants still submit scores.

What’s harder, 1600 SAT or 36 ACT?

Both are perfect scores, and both are extremely rare. But which is actually harder to achieve?

How rare is a perfect score on each test?

• About 0.07% of SAT test-takers earn a perfect 1600 (College Board (SAT results data)).
• About 0.2% of ACT test-takers earn a perfect 36 (ACT (national norms)).

The official conversion says a 36 ACT equals a 1600 SAT (College Board & ACT concordance tables). But the rarity numbers suggest a 36 is actually more common than a 1600. However, the tests are taken by different populations — SAT has about 1.9 million test-takers, ACT about 1.3 million (ACT (annual data)).

The trade-off: both are extraordinary. If you’re chasing perfection, you’re in a tiny club either way.

Students can view test dates, registration deadlines, fees, and step-by-step online registration instructions on the official ACT registration page.

— ACT (official testing organization)

The standard ACT fee is $68 without the writing section. With writing, it’s $93.

— Kaplan Test Prep (test prep company)

A 27 ACT score is approximately equivalent to an SAT score of 1300-1360.

— College Board & ACT (concordance tables)

For students targeting fall 2024 test dates, the calendar is set — pick your date, register early, and avoid the late fee. For those aiming at top-tier schools, a score in the low 30s is the floor; a 27 is respectable but won’t open the most selective doors. The choice is clear: prep smart, test strategically, and match your score to your target schools’ published ranges.