Here’s How COVID-19 Affects the ACT

COVID-19 has changed all aspects of our lives, and that includes standardized testing. Here is how the global pandemic affects ACT test-taking. 

ACT is offering digital learning and workforce resources to assist students, teachers, schools and workers impacted by COVID-19. They have committed to serving community needs during this challenging time. The resources available on their website are adaptable for use in home, through online learning and in workforce settings. 

ACT has rescheduled its April national and international tests in response to concerns about the spread of COVID-19. All students registered for April test dates received an email from ACT informing them of the postponement and instructions for free rescheduling to June or a future test date. ACT has rescheduled its April 4 national test date to June 13 across the U.S. 

In response to uncertainty and school cancellations as COVID-19 affects the ACT, a flexible schedule for summer 2020 test dates and test-at-home options for fall/winter 2020 will be made available.  

FAQ’s

When are the next ACT national test dates?
The next ACT national test dates are June 13 and July 18. 

Will ACT automatically register impacted students for the next test date?
No. All students registered for the April 4 test date will receive an email from ACT informing them of the instructions for free rescheduling to June 13 or a future ACT national test date. 

What will happen if students cannot take the ACT on one of the future test dates or don’t wish to reschedule their test?
Students who can’t or don’t wish to reschedule may receive a refund of their April registration fee. 

What will ACT do for high school seniors who are applying for fall 2020 college admissions and are facing deadlines?
ACT is committed to making every effort to help students impacted by this test date change, particularly seniors facing college application deadlines for this fall. More information will be released as it becomes available in the days ahead. 

Why is ACT adding make up test dates in June and July?
We are committed to providing as many opportunities as possible for students to take the ACT test, particularly now as other admission information, such as grades, courses, and GPAs, may be missing or partial. As CDC and local guidelines for safety allow, ACT will offer national test dates on June 13 and July 18. If a test center is not able to open on the national test date, a makeup test date will be provided a week later. The makeup test date for the June 13 national test date will be June 20, and the makeup test date for the July 18 test date will be July 25.

Will test center sites change?
Our primary concern is the health and safety of students and our testing staff. We are watching conditions very closely. We will announce test site changes if we see conditions where we’re not able to have the test, as scheduled. We will continue to update our website with the latest information.

What is the ACT test at home remote proctoring?
Starting in the late fall of 2020/early winter, ACT will introduce a new option allowing students to take the ACT test at their home on a computer through remote proctoring as part of its national testing program. ACT wants to minimize how much COVID-19 affects ACT test-taking. More information about this option will be available in the coming weeks. 

Is ACT still planning on offering new ACT test options starting in September 2020?
Yes. ACT will be offering its new individual section retest option, online testing with faster results and superscoring this fall, as previously announced for those students who wish to retake one or more sections of the exam.

Stay connected to the most up-to-date information about the ACT at their website. 

Allison Green
Boston Tutoring Services