ACT Test Day Checklist

Fill this in from your registration, ticket or school coordinator's instructions. National, school-day and international testing can have different arrangements. Resolve any conflict with ACT or your coordinator before test day.

For state and district testing, Science is decided at the contract level. Ask your school which sections it includes. For accommodated testing, confirm the approval and arrangements with your school official; a request is not an approval.

Ahead of the test

• Compare Science and Writing on your registration with your colleges' current requirements. For school-day testing, confirm the assigned sections with your coordinator.
• Read the instructions for U.S. national testing, international testing, or your school administration. Check the ID rule early enough to resolve a problem.
• For national online BYOD: install ACT Gateway on a supported computer and pass the checks by the deadline in MyACT. ACT cancels the registration if readiness is not completed by the cutoff. Recheck after a software update.
• For a school or center device, confirm what the organizer supplies and what you need to do in advance. Do not assume the national BYOD process applies.

Pack according to your administration's instructions

• Printed admission ticket for national or international testing; acceptable ID under the applicable U.S. or international rules.
• For U.S. national testing, bring sharpened No. 2 pencils and erasers; no pens or mechanical pencils. For other administrations, follow the organizer's writing-material instructions.
• If bringing a calculator: check its exact model against ACT's permitted and prohibited models, make any required modifications, and check its power.
• For national online BYOD: charged laptop and charger. An outlet or spare computer is not guaranteed.
• A snack for the break; any materials specifically permitted by your approved accommodations or supports.

Calculator reminder

Calculators are for Math only, including on a test with Science. Online ACT provides a built-in Desmos graphing calculator for Math. CAS calculators and phone calculator apps are prohibited. Practice with the permitted calculator you intend to use.

Keep this worksheet and other study notes out of the testing room. This is a preparation checklist, not an authorized testing aid.

Use the arrival time on your ticket or coordinator's instructions. ACT's U.S. national guidance says to be inside by 8:00 a.m.; international guidance directs you to the ticket. Do not apply 8:00 a.m. to every administration.

Plan for the whole appointment

These totals use ACT's standard section limits. Check-in, instructions and breaks take additional time. Use your approved schedule for accommodations and confirm pickup arrangements with the organizer.

In the testing room and on breaks

• Power off and put away phones, smartwatches and other prohibited electronics. They stay inaccessible during breaks under ACT's test-day rules.
• Use only materials staff permit. Leave notes, books and personal scratch paper out of the room.
• Follow the proctor's section instructions and stop when told. If a device or testing problem occurs, raise your hand for help.
• Follow the supervised-area rules during breaks; do not leave to visit a car. Eat your snack outside the testing room.

My unresolved question and the person who will answer it:

Policies checked November 5, 2026. Recheck before your date: U.S. test day · International test day · Calculator policy · ACT Gateway · Accommodations. Your approved arrangements and administration-specific instructions control.