- Sept. 9, 2023 (Registration Deadline: Aug. 4, Late Reg. Deadline: Aug. 18)
- Oct. 28, 2023 (Registration Deadline: Sept. 22, Late Reg. Deadline: Oct. 6)
- Dec. 9, 2023 (Registration Deadline: Nov. 3, Late Reg. Deadline: Nov. 17)
- Feb. 10, 2023 (Registration Deadline: Jan. 5, Late Reg. Deadline: Jan. 19)
- Apr. 13, 2024 (Registration Deadline: Mar. 8, Late Reg. Deadline: Mar. 22)
- June 8, 2024 (Registration Deadline: May 3, Late Reg. Deadline: May 17)
- July 13, 2024* (Registration Deadline: June 7, Late Reg. Deadline: June 21)
Again, always check the ACT test website to verify test dates.
*If you live in New York, be aware that NY testing centers are not scheduling July exams.
Other ACT deadlines to keep on your radar:
As part of the registration process, the ACT test organization requires you to upload a recent photo of yourself for identification purposes. If you don’t upload your photo by the photo upload deadline, your registration will be canceled. Here are the photo upload deadlines:
- September 1, 2023 (Sept. 9 Test Day)
- October 20, 2023 (Oct. 28 Test Day)
- December 1, 2023 (Dec. 9 Test Day)
- February 2, 2024 (Feb. 10 Test Day)
- April 5, 2024 (Apr. 13 Test Day)
- May 31, 2024 (June 8 Test Day)
- July 5, 2024 (July 13 Test Day)
PSAT Test Dates for 2023-2024
Even if you aren’t quite ready for your SAT and ACT test dates yet, you may be ready to start planning your PSAT test dates. The PSAT test is a good practice exam for the SAT test. If you only plan to take the PSAT test once, you should definitely take the PSAT/NMSQT test during your junior year. This is the National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test, which could qualify you for scholarships through the National Merit Scholarship Program.
In 2023, the PSAT/NMSQT test will be administered from October 2 to 31 during the week, as well as Saturday, October 14. Your school will choose the exact test date. Check with the high school counseling department for more information.
If you aren’t a junior yet, you can’t take the PSAT/NMSQT test. However, you could take either the PSAT 8/9 or PSAT 10 tests, depending on whether your school offers these options for your grade level. Again, schools choose the specific testing dates. However, for 2023 to 2024, the tests are being offered during these time periods:
PSAT 8/9 Test
- October 2 – October 31, 2023
- March 4 – April 26, 2024
PSAT 10 Test
- March 4 – April 26, 2024
Your school will choose just one test date for each test during these time periods. If your school administers the PSAT 8/9 test on October 2, it won’t offer a second testing date in the spring. Unlike the SAT and ACT test dates, you’ll only take these tests once each year, so be sure to consult your guidance counselor.
How to Register for the SAT Test
Once you’ve selected your SAT and ACT test dates, you can register online. First, you’ll need to create a College Board account if you don’t already have one. Then, log into your account and click the option to register for a test. Choose your test date and testing center. Be mindful of travel time when selecting a testing center.
Be careful when filling out your personal information, such as your full name and address. It must be accurate. You’ll also need to upload a photo of yourself. When your registration is complete, print your admission ticket and keep it in a safe place to bring to the testing center.
How to Register for the ACT Test
The registration process for the ACT test is similar. Log into your MyACT account (or create one) and follow the online prompts to register. You’ll also be given an option to purchase a test information release (TIR). This is a copy of your answers. If you’re taking the ACT test for the first time, you can use your TIR as a guide to study for the retake.
What to Bring (and What Not to Bring) on Test Day
College Board and ACT, Inc. may change their policies from time to time. And with digital testing, these policies will most certainly change. It’s always a good idea to check their websites to find out what you can and can’t bring.
In general, you should bring the following for fall 2023 SAT/ACT testing.
- Admission ticket (printed)
- Valid photo ID
- Sharpened No. 2 pencils with good erasers
- Approved calculator (The SAT and PSAT tests are now digital, but it’s still a good idea to bring your calculator. Using the tests’ built-in calculator may affect your timing.)
- Watch without an alarm
- Face covering (Some SAT test centers require it; others do not.)
- Beverage and snacks (You can eat outside, but not inside the testing center.)
Here’s what not to bring:
- Textbooks/books/any other reading material/notes/any papers
- Electronic devices other than your calculator and watch (You cannot bring a phone inside the SAT test center. The staff will hold your phone for you during the test. You can bring a phone inside the ACT test center, but it must be turned off and placed out of sight for the duration.)
- Bluetooth devices/cameras/any other devices
- Pens/highlighters/colored pencils
- The SAT test also bans earplugs.
What to Expect on Your SAT Test Day
It’s an exciting day! You’ll finally be able to prove how much progress you’ve made in your SAT test prep. All testing centers open at 7:45 AM. Be early. If you arrive after 8:00 AM, you’ll be denied entry. You’ll be assigned to a seat.
The proctor will read the instructions and tell you when to begin and stop working on each section of the test. You cannot work on a section past the allotted time or go back to it later. You cannot skip ahead to the next section if you finish the current section early.
You’ll have a five-minute break and a 10-minute break, during which you can drink and eat outside the testing center. (Bring your ID and admission ticket with you. Do not turn on your phone.) Expect to be done at about noon.
What to Expect on Your ACT Test Day
Again, be early. Arrive before the testing time indicated on your admission ticket. If you’re late, you won’t be admitted. You’ll have a short break during the exam, during which you can drink and eat outside the test room. Including breaks, the ACT test is 3.5 hours long. If you’re also doing the optional essay, it’ll be a little more than four hours.
