ACT District Testing Initial Spring

Select your current phase of the test administration process to see resources related to that phase.

Welcome to Your District Testing Program

Important Dates

Your Schedule of Events (coming soon) contains all dates and deadlines for your test event. Check it frequently to ensure you're on track for a successful administration.

Test Dates

The ACT Taken Online

Test Window 1: February 25-March 7, 2025

Initial Spring Administration can only be delivered online unless there is an approved accommodation that can only be delivered on paper.

Documents will be replaced as they become available for spring 2025 testing

Tips for Success

  1. Bookmark this web page and check back frequently for updated content. Content will be added as it's available.
  2. Mark important dates from your Schedule of Events on your calendar and set reminders for deadlines.
  3. Familiarize yourself with the seven stages of the testing cycle (Orientation, Configuration, Accommodation, Preparation, Administration, Transportation, and Interpretation) by browsing using the links provided. You can see a brief description, action items, and resources associated with each stage to help you get a feel for the testing timeline. Content will be linked as it becomes available.
  4. Watch for emails from ACT with important reminders. Add our email address to your contacts to prevent emails from going to spam/junk folders. Please see Exemptlisting instructions.

Helpful Links

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Quick Links

To search variety of district testing content click here

Office Hours

District Testing Spring 2025 Office Hours: (coming soon)

District Testing Spring 2025 Accommodations Office Hours: (coming soon)

Contact Information

ACT General Questions:
Phone: 800.553.6244, ext. 2800
Contact Us

Accommodations:
Phone: 800.553.6244, ext. 1788
Email: ACTStateAccoms@act.org

Step 1: Orientation

Get oriented with the testing program.

Learn about Test Formats and Policies

Select Test Dates and Verify Shipping Address (Manage Participation)

(coming soon)

Select Test Staff and Set Up Accounts

Tip: When the district test coordinator changes the school test coordinator in PearsonAccess next , remember to deactivate the existing test coordinator's user account. Updates need to be completed in two places: the manage contacts screen and creating a new user account.

Step 2: Configuration

Configure testing setup and systems.

Upload Student Data Records (SDU File)

(coming soon)

Tip: The formatting in the SDU template includes instructions for how to create a successful file. Be sure to delete the sample row and all blank rows prior to uploading to PearsonAccess next .

Verify Enrollment Counts

(coming soon)

Tip: To verify accommodations/supports counts, run an Accommodations and Supports Roster in PearsonAccess next .

Complete Site Readiness for Online Testing

(coming soon)

ACT Online Technical Readiness Training Tutorials

Step 3: Accommodation

Verify needs for accommodations and/or supports.

Learn about Accessibility Supports

Request Accommodations and/or English Learner (EL) Supports

(coming soon)

Request Qualified Exceptions to the Deadline

(coming soon)

Tip: Reconsideration is used if you submitted a request for accommodations that was denied. Qualified Exceptions to the Deadline is for limited reasons as indicated on the form.

Tip: If selecting the qualified exceptions date in TAA, make sure to attach the Qualified Exceptions to the Deadline Form in the request.

Arrange for Accommodations and/or English Learner Supports

Step 4: Preparation

Prepare for testing.

Order Test Materials

(coming soon)

Tip: If additional materials are needed for examinees authorized by ACT to test with accommodations/supports, call the ACT Accommodations team. Use the Accommodations and Supports Roster, which can be accessed in PearsonAccessnext by Test Coordinators and Room Supervisors, to provide information to ensure the right students receive additional materials.

Tip: You can track test materials shipments using Orders and Shipment Tracking. See the View Status and Shipment Information section in the PearsonAccess next User Guide.

Complete Non-Test Activities

Test Window 1: (coming soon)

Tip: To provide visibility into the non-test information process, schools will have access to a new daily Student Code Usage Status report after receiving their first shipment of materials. This report is posted in the Published Reports section in PearsonAccess next . Refer to the Accessing Reports section of PearsonAccess next User Guide for instructions. This report contains “Yes” or “No” to indicate students who have not used their Student Code or not completed college choices.

Provide Examinees Test Prep Information

Prepare Your Facility, Staff, and Test Materials

Tip: Students may not receive scores from more than one test date per season (spring or fall). If students are allowed to test more than once in a season, ACT will report only the scores from the first test. The second set of scores will be cancelled. The Administration Manual includes details on student eligibility for makeup testing within an ACT District or ACT State test administration. A student may not test in both an ACT District and an ACT State administration.

Update Examinee Information

Test Window 1: (coming soon)

Create Online Test Sessions

Test Window 1: (coming soon)