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Editorial fact-check. All factual claims in this article were verified against ACT's official publications on October 1–2, 2026. This is an editorial fact-check, not an expert review.
The ACT is one of the larger line items in a college-application budget, especially if you retake the test or send scores to more than a few schools. This guide uses ACT’s official U.S. fees page and international fees page, checked October 1, 2026, to help you estimate the real cost and find out whether you qualify for a fee waiver.
What the ACT costs in 2026–2027
These are the standard U.S. national-test fees ACT lists for the 2026–2027 cycle. Every price below comes from ACT’s fees page; the table also notes what is included automatically.
| Test option | Fee | What is included |
|---|---|---|
| The ACT Test (EMR Composite) | $70.00 | English, math, reading; score reports for you, your high school, and up to 4 colleges |
| Science Add-On | $5.00 | Can be added or removed through the late deadline |
| EMR + Science | $75.00 | Core test plus optional science |
| Writing Add-On | $25.00 | Can be added or removed through the late deadline |
| EMR + Writing | $95.00 | Core test plus optional writing |
| EMR + Science + Writing | $100.00 | Core test plus both optional sections |
The first four college score reports are included if you provide the codes when you register. Need a fifth or sixth college at registration? That is $20 each. Any score reports requested after the test are also $20 each.
Add-ons and hidden costs
Beyond the base test, most spending falls into one of five categories: late registration, changes, standby, extra score reports, and Test Information Release (now called ACT My Answer Key).
| Fee type | Amount | When it applies |
|---|---|---|
| Late registration | $42.00 | Registering or changing a national test date during the late period |
| Change fee | $49.00 | Test form, test day, or test center change (fees page) |
| Test date change | $44.00 | Listed separately on the test-dates FAQ; conflicts with the $49 change fee |
| Standby testing | $75.00 | Requesting a standby seat after the late deadline; refunded if denied admission |
| 5th / 6th college score reports | $20.00 each | Requested before the test date; refundable if you do not test |
| Additional Score Reports | $20.00 each | Requested after scores are available |
| ACT My Answer Key (TIR) | $36.00 / $44.00 | Before the test begins / after the test |
ACT’s fees page lists a $49 general “Change Fee,” while the test-dates FAQ lists a $44 “test date change fee.” Because the two pages conflict, budget for the higher amount and confirm the exact fee in your MyACT account before paying. Do not assume the lower fee applies to every type of change.
For a deeper look at how retakes and score sends fit into your calendar, see our ACT retake strategy and ACT test dates and deadlines guides.
Fee waivers: who qualifies and how
ACT’s Fee Waiver Program eliminates testing costs for eligible students. According to ACT’s fee-waiver page and eligibility procedures, you do not request a waiver directly from ACT; instead, you work through your high school counselor or another participating organization.
Eligibility generally requires that you are currently enrolled in 11th or 12th grade and meet at least one indicator of economic need. ACT’s materials cite indicators such as: family income at or below the USDA Food and Nutrition Service levels for free or reduced-price lunches; receiving low-income public assistance or living in federally subsidized public housing; enrollment in a federally funded program for the economically disadvantaged (for example, free or reduced-price lunch, GEAR UP, or Upward Bound); or being in foster care, a ward of the state, or experiencing homelessness.
Fee waiver rules, income thresholds, and the number of waivers available can change by program year and may vary by state or school. If you are unsure whether you qualify, ask your school counselor or contact ACT directly rather than guessing.
What the waiver covers: ACT’s current fee-waiver page states that the registration fee for up to two ACT tests is covered, plus the add-on fee(s) for optional science and/or writing. Fee-waiver registrants also receive free access to The Official ACT Self-Paced Course, Powered by Kaplan; free ACT My Answer Key (TIR), when added; free additional score reports beyond the standard four colleges (one report to your high school and up to six college choices during registration, with unlimited additional reports after scores are available); and eligibility to request a college application fee waiver or deferral directly from colleges.
What the waiver does not cover: fees not explicitly listed, such as score verification, standby testing, and some change or late fees. A waiver also cannot be used to refund a test fee you already paid.
International fees
International ACT fees are set separately from U.S. fees. The numbers below come from ACT’s global fees page and apply to non-U.S. testing. Currency exchange, local taxes, or test-center surcharges may add to the total in your specific country.
| Test option | Fee |
|---|---|
| The full ACT (no writing) | $186.50 |
| The full ACT with writing | $211.50 |
| Test option change (add/remove writing) | $25.00 |
| Late registration | $38.00 |
| Change fee (test date or center) | $44.00 |
| Score reports to 5th / 6th college choices | $19.00 each |
| Additional Score Reports | $19.00 each |
International fee-waiver availability and eligibility differ from the U.S. program. If you are testing outside the United States, check with your school counselor or ACT international services for the rules that apply to you.
Build your testing budget
Use the two worked examples below to estimate your own spending. Both use October 2026 fees and include realistic choices many students make.
Example 1: One test with writing, no surprises
- EMR + Writing registration: $100.00
- Included score reports (you, high school, 4 colleges): $0.00
- Total: $100.00
Example 2: One test, one retake, four extra score reports
- First test (EMR only): $70.00
- Retake (EMR only): $70.00
- 4 Additional Score Reports after scores release: 4 × $20.00 = $80.00
- Total: $220.00
If Example 2 also needed writing on the retake, the second registration would be $95 instead of $70, raising the total to $245. Add a $42 late registration to either attempt and the total climbs by another $42.
The cheapest budget is not always the best budget. Paying once, prepared, usually costs less than a rushed retake with late fees. Build your timeline backward from your earliest application deadline using the dates in our ACT test dates guide and the study structure in our ACT study plan.
Quick cost checklist
- Base test option chosen (EMR / +science / +writing / +both).
- Number of free college score reports needed at registration (up to 4 included).
- Any extra score reports after scores are released.
- Possible retake registration and add-ons.
- Late registration or change-fee buffer.
- TIR if you want to review your actual test questions.
- Fee-waiver eligibility confirmed with counselor if applicable.
For context on how the optional science and writing sections affect your composite and overall plan, see our Enhanced ACT guide.
References
- [1] ACT, Inc. (2026). ACT Test Fees and Services. act.org. act.org
- [2] ACT, Inc. (2026). ACT Fee Waiver Program: Eligibility and How to Apply. act.org. act.org
- [3] ACT, Inc. (2024). ACT Fee Waiver Program: Eligibility Requirements and Procedures 2024–2025. act.org. act.org
- [4] ACT, Inc. (2026). ACT National Test Dates Schedule 2026–2027. act.org. act.org
- [5] ACT, Inc. (2026). Current ACT Fees and Services — International. global.act.org. global.act.org
Frequently asked questions
For U.S. national testing, the core EMR ACT is $70. Adding science brings it to $75, adding writing brings it to $95, and taking both add-ons costs $100. International fees are higher: $186.50 without writing and $211.50 with writing as of October 2026.
ACT’s Fee Waiver Program covers the registration fee for up to two ACT tests plus optional science and/or writing add-ons. It also includes free access to the Official ACT Self-Paced Course, free ACT My Answer Key (TIR), free additional score reports beyond the standard four colleges, and eligibility to request college application fee waivers from individual colleges.
Eligibility is generally for 11th- and 12th-grade students who meet an indicator of economic need, such as family income at or below USDA free/reduced-price lunch levels, participation in certain federal assistance or education programs, or being in foster care, a ward of the state, or homeless. Exact thresholds and program-year limits vary, so confirm with your school counselor or ACT.
Students do not request fee waivers directly from ACT. You request one through your high school counselor or another participating organization. Your counselor will provide the fee-waiver code to use during registration.
ACT’s fees page lists a $49 general change fee, while the test-dates FAQ lists a $44 test date change fee. The two pages conflict. Budget for the higher amount and confirm the exact fee in MyACT before you pay.
The U.S. fee-waiver program is for students testing in the U.S., U.S. territories, or Puerto Rico. International fee-waiver availability and rules differ. Check with your school counselor or ACT international services for what applies where you test.
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