Standby Testing

If you miss the registration deadline for a test date, you can try to test standby on test day. If you are already registered for a previous or future test date, try to make a Test Date Change instead.

What You Need to Know

Testing as a standby costs $42.00 in addition to the basic fee for your test option. (Students testing outside the United States, U.S. territories, Puerto Rico or Canada are also billed the $27.00 international surcharge.)
You are not guaranteed admission.
Test center schedules are subject to change. To find out which test centers are currently scheduled to test on your test date, check the list of test centers.
Test centers admit standbys on a first-come, first-admitted basis and only if there are seats, materials, and staff available after all registered students have been admitted for their test option.
Students requiring accommodations due to a disability cannot test as standbys.
You will not be able to add, change, or cancel score reports.
If you are admitted and begin testing (break the seal of the test booklet), you will be billed for all fees even if you do not complete all your tests.
Scores for standby students take longer. Scores cannot be reported until both the standby request submitted at the test center and the answer document have been processed and computer matched.

What You Must Do Before Test Day

Web option—Complete a Standby Request Form

Create an ACT Web account and write down the ACT ID you are assigned. (Or, sign into your account and choose "Manage Your Profile" to look up your ACT ID.)
Download and print the Standby Request Form.
Fill out the entire form completely and accurately. If you do not provide an accurate and legible ACT ID, you will not receive scores, even if you are inadvertently admitted to test.
Read the terms and conditions for registering.
Review information about test day procedures.
Sign in to your ACT Web account, choose "Manage Your Profile," and provide responses about your future plans, your high school courses, student profile, and interest inventory. The deadline to provide or update this information to be included on score reports to colleges is 12 noon central time on Thursday immediately after the regularly scheduled Saturday test date.

Folder option—Complete an ACT Register by Mail Packet (Available ONLY in the U.S., U.S. Territories, Puerto Rico, and Canada)

Get an ACT Register by Mail packet from your high school or request one online.
Complete and sign the folder as instructed in Registering by Mail for the ACT.
If the folder is not completed, you will not receive scores even if you are inadvertently admitted to test.
Seal your folder in the envelope and print your name and address clearly in the return address box.

What You Must Do On Test Day

Arrive at the test center before 8:00 a.m. with your completed standby request form (or packet).You will not receive scores if you do not submit one of these items even if you are inadvertently admitted to test.
Bring acceptable identification.
If you are trying to test standby for a Sunday or Monday test center, you must bring a letter from your cleric or a notarized statement to verify your religious beliefs prohibit Saturday testing. You will not be admitted to test without it.
Do NOT bring payment to the test center. If you are admitted to test, ACT will bill you the appropriate fees.