ACT Fees in 2026: Registration, Add-Ons, Changes, and Waivers

ACT’s current U.S. fee page lists the core English-Math-Reading test at 70**, optional Science at **5, and optional Writing at **25**. That makes the listed combinations 75 for core plus Science, 95 for core plus Writing, and 100 for core plus both add-ons. Prices can change, so confirm the checkout total and official fee page for your date.

The base price is only one part of the budget. Late registration, test changes, standby testing, extra score reports, and post-test services can raise the cost substantially.

Current ACT test-option prices

Test option	Current listed fee
English, Math, and Reading core test	$70
Science add-on	$5
Core plus Science	$75
Writing add-on	$25
Core plus Writing	$95
Core plus Science and Writing	$100

ACT says these prices include reports for the student, the high school, and up to four colleges when their codes are supplied during registration. The four included college reports are useful only if the student is comfortable choosing recipients before seeing the score.

Check ACT’s current fee page before paying. A search result or old screenshot may show a previous testing year.

Additional fees that change the total

ACT currently lists these U.S. national-testing charges:

Service	Current listed fee	Key detail
Late registration	$42	Added during the late period
Standby testing	$75	Subject to admission and refund conditions
Test form/date/center change	$49	Change fee
5th and 6th college choices	$20 each	Requested online before the test date
Additional score report	$20	Requested online after registration
ACT My Answer Key	36 before testing / 44 after	Available for eligible administrations
Multiple-choice score verification	$67	Checks scoring process
Writing score verification	$67	Separate verification
Both verifications	$134	Combined request

ACT describes most fees as nonrefundable unless the page states otherwise. Read the condition attached to the exact service before purchasing.

Budget example 1: register early for the core ACT

Noah chooses the English-Math-Reading ACT, registers before the regular deadline, and selects no add-ons. His test fee is $70 under the current fee table. He uses the included report to his high school but waits to send colleges until he sees the result.

If Noah later orders three additional score reports at the current 20 price, those reports add 60. His total becomes $130. The decision to wait protects score choice but can cost more than using included recipients.

There is no universal best answer. Students should compare confidence, recipient policy, superscoring, and cost.

Budget example 2: late registration with Science

Amira registers during the late period for core plus optional Science. Using the current list:

• core plus Science: $75;
• late fee: $42;
• total: $117.

If Amira had registered before the regular deadline, she would have saved the $42 late charge. Calendar reminders often produce a larger saving than shopping for minor prep discounts.

Use our ACT registration guide to track the regular deadline, late period, photo deadline, test center, and selected sections.

Budget example 3: a date change versus a new registration

Eli cannot attend the selected date. ACT’s registration guidance says a test-date change has a fee and may also trigger a late fee if made in the late period. If Eli instead creates an entirely new registration, the original basic fee generally is not refunded.

Before clicking, Eli should compare:

1. the change fee shown in MyACT;
2. any late fee;
3. the price of the new test option;
4. whether add-ons or services will be repriced;
5. the refund language.

ACT notes that some services may be refunded at the original amount and charged again at the current price when a change occurs. Save the confirmation screen.

Are Science and Writing worth the extra fee?

Science is inexpensive relative to the core test, but price should not be the only consideration. Check whether a target STEM program, scholarship, or advising process values the Science and STEM scores. Science no longer contributes to the enhanced ACT Composite, which uses English, Math, and Reading.

Writing costs more and also extends test time. ACT says Writing does not affect the Composite. Review each institution’s current policy before adding it. Do not pay for an optional section merely because it once was commonly recommended.

State and District testing can use contract-level section choices; a school-day student may not control the same options as a national tester.

What does an ACT fee waiver cover?

For 2026–2027, ACT’s official waiver page says eligible students can receive registration coverage for up to two ACT tests, including optional Science and/or Writing add-on fees. It also describes free official self-paced preparation, ACT My Answer Key on eligible dates, score-report benefits, and a process to request college application fee waivers or deferrals.

The published student eligibility includes:

• current enrollment in 11th or 12th grade;
• testing in the United States, U.S. territories, or Puerto Rico;
• meeting at least one listed indicator of economic need;
• obtaining a fee-waiver code through the school counselor after eligibility review.

Read our ACT fee-waiver guide, then use ACT’s official fee-waiver page for the active criteria.

Costs a fee waiver may not erase

Do not assume every registration action is free. ACT’s registration information notes that a waiver moved to a new test date can still leave the student responsible for a change fee. Travel, lodging, food, calculator purchase, device readiness, and international charges are separate practical costs.

Ask the counselor or ACT before making a change that shows a balance. Keep the waiver code private and record how many eligible uses remain.

International ACT fees

The U.S. table above should not be copied into an international budget. Non-U.S. registration can have different pricing, taxes, currency conversion, and center-related travel costs. Start the official international registration far enough to view the amount before the deadline, but do not submit payment until the country, date, center, and sections are correct.

Add passport or visa costs, transportation, lodging, and card foreign-transaction fees if cross-border travel is required.

Score-report cost strategy

ACT includes up to four college choices when codes are provided during registration, while later reports currently carry a fee unless a waiver benefit applies. Build a recipient table:

| College/program | ACT required? | Superscore? | Self-report allowed? | Official report deadline | Send now or later? |

If a college accepts self-reported scores during application, a student may be able to delay an official report until enrollment. If a scholarship requires an official score by a firm deadline, delaying can create risk. Our ACT score-sending guide explains these distinctions.

Avoidable fee mistakes

• Registering after the regular deadline without a calendar reminder.
• Selecting Science or Writing without checking recipient policies.
• Paying for a new registration when a change is the appropriate path.
• Assuming a missed test produces a refund.
• Entering the wrong center and later paying to change it.
• Ordering reports before checking self-report rules.
• Buying ACT My Answer Key for a date that is not eligible.
• Treating an old fee table as current.

A one-page ACT cost worksheet

Before checkout, write:

• core test fee;
• Science and/or Writing fee;
• late or change fee;
• expected score reports;
• optional answer-key service;
• transportation and lodging;
• calculator/device cost;
• waiver or school coverage;
• total maximum budget.

Then screenshot or save the order summary. The receipt should match the intended date, mode, center, and sections.

Official ACT resources

• ACT’s Current Fees and Services page is the source for active U.S. prices and refund notes.
• ACT’s Fee Waiver Program page lists 2026–2027 eligibility and benefits.
• ACT’s registration page explains test options, deadlines, changes, and test-center selection.

Recheck all prices in MyACT at checkout because ACT can update fees between testing cycles.