When will my ACT score come out?

While ACT provides a window of up to eight weeks for multiple choice score releases, most of our students have historically received their scores between 10-14 days after their test date. However, this fall we had many more students receive their September and October test scores up to 6 weeks after their test date. This was likely due to the high volume of tests occurring in the same timeframe, as ACT added in many fall test dates to make up for the spring and summer test cancellations, but also could have been due to individual test center issues or even student error. 

When have the scores been released so far?

So far this fall, we’re seeing about a 3-4 week wait for scores. Our students on the September 9th test date saw scores released as late as 6 weeks, but we saw that wait decrease with the October tests. The students on the October 17th test date had about a 3-week wait and students on the October 10th, 24th, and 25th test dates received their scores across the board by the 4-week mark. 

I’m a junior looking to take tests in the future. How will the score releases impact me?

Typically, some students choose to take a short one-week break after sitting for an official test, assuming they will have their scores in-hand the following week in order to make decisions about when and how to prepare for the next test. With scores now released as far as 6 weeks after the exam date, you may only be left with a few weeks to prepare for the next test, which probably won’t be enough time to see the score improvement you want (especially with an extended break)! Given this timeline, it becomes more important to plan out your test dates as well as any prep plans you have - particularly if you think you have a good amount of work to do to reach your goal score. 

I’m a senior. Will receiving my fall test scores late impact my ability to submit them to colleges?

Most likely not. If we expect to see similar score release dates for December as we did for earlier this fall, you can expect to receive your December 12th scores around the first or second week of January. While the expected release date does come close to college application deadlines, colleges have widely accepted test scores sent after the initial application deadline in previous years. The UC system has consistently accepted scores from the December ACT, even though their application deadline is before the test date. Many more colleges have been granting additional wiggle room this admissions cycle as well due to heavy test cancellations and expected late score releases. To be on the safe side though, you should check with your local admissions reps as to what each college’s policy is on accepting scores separate from applications.