AMERICAN COLLEGE TESTING (ACT)
Scores from the ACT or alternate test, SAT, are required for admission to Southern Arkansas University. It is recommended that the test be taken in the senior year or the last semester of the junior year in high school during one of the regular scheduled periods (September, October, December, February, April, June). Before a test date is chosen, consider the application deadlines of the college and scholarship agencies. It will take four to seven weeks after a test date for ACT to mail out the score reports to the recipients. The test scores provide added assistance in guidance and placement in developmental courses, and possible advanced standings and scholarships.
Description
The ACT consists of tests in four subject areas: English, Mathematics, Reading, and Science Reasoning. Each of these tests contains multiple-choice questions that offer four or five answer choices from which you are to choose the correct or best answer.
On the Test Date
Report to your assigned test center by 8:00 AM. (Be sure to check your test center location the day before your test to ensure ACT has you scheduled to test at the location you requested. ACT sometimes changes test locations between registration and test day. You should receive an email from ACT if your location changes.)
What to Bring
- Your Admission Ticket (must have photo on ticket)
- Acceptable Photo Identification: Current Official Photo ID, ACT Student Identification Letter with Photo; ACT Photo Exception Identification Letter; or ACT Talent Search Student Identification Letter
- Two sharpened soft-lead (No. 2) pencils with erasers.
- A permitted calculator. (See ACT’s website for more information)
Total Testing Time
Actual administration of the ACT requires 3 hours 10 minutes plus an additional 45-60 minutes to check in and fill out the answer sheet, and for scheduled breaks during the test.
Test Schedule 2025 -26
Subject to change based on ACT policies. Check ACT website for updates.
2026 National Test Dates Schedule
| Test Date | Regular Registration Deadline* | Late Registration Deadline | Photo Upload and Standby Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| September 6, 2025 | August 1 | August 19 | August 29 |
| October 18, 2025 | September 12 | September 30 | October 10 |
| December 13, 2025 | November 7 | November 24 | December 5 |
| February 14, 2026 | January 9 | January 23 | February 6 |
| April 11, 2026 | March 6 | March 24 | April 3 |
| June 13, 2026 | May 8 | May 29 | June 5 |
| July 11, 2026 | June 5 | June 24 | July 3 |
* Late fees will be applied after the regular registration deadline.
2025-2026 ACT General Fee Information
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ACT Exam Prices for Testing Through July 2026
Fee Details The ACT Test $68.00 The ACT Test includes the English, math, and reading sections. Writing Add-On Fee $25.00 More about the ACT with writing. Can be added or removed through the late deadline. Science Add-On Fee $4.00 More about the science section. Can be added or removed through the late deadline. All pricing includes reports for you, your high school, and up to four colleges (if codes are provided when you register). All fees are nonrefundable unless otherwise noted.
Contact your high school counselor or the SAU Testing Center in the University Village Clubhouse (same building as Panda Express) to register for the ACT. You may also register online at act.org. Below are important phone numbers that may be helpful to you.
- Registration (319) 337-1270
- Deaf (TDD) (319) 337-1524
- ID Requirements (319) 337-1510
- Score Reports (319) 337-1313
- ACT’s website
