When Do ACT Scores Come Out? Full 2022-23 Schedule

• In this article
• Score Release Dates
• When to Expect Scores
• How to Get Scores
• FAQ

When Do ACT Scores Come Out? Full 2025-2026 ScheduleMost test-takers get their ACT scores 2-4 weeks after their exam, though you may have to wait up to eight weeks. Get the full release schedule here.By Jackalyn BeckUpdated on November 14, 2025Edited by Hannah Muniz • Reviewed by Ben Paris Our Integrity Network

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Key Takeaways

• Most ACT scores are released 2-4 weeks after your test date, though some may take up to eight weeks to appear in your MyACT account.
• Writing scores are typically available two weeks after multiple-choice results — plan your test timeline around college application deadlines.
• If your scores are delayed, check your MyACT account or contact ACT directly to ensure all test information and payments are complete.

Knowing when ACT scores come out is critical when preparing to apply to college. Typically, you can expect to receive your ACT scores 2-4 weeks after your test date.

In addition to including your ACT scores in your college applications, you can use them for dual enrollment and to apply for scholarships that require high test scores.

Here is an overview of the upcoming ACT score release schedule so you know when to expect your scores.

ACT Scores: 2025-2026 Release Dates

According to ACT, the organization that administers the exam, most test-takers can access their ACT scores online through their MyACT account 2-4 weeks after taking the exam.

Below are the score release dates for all official ACT test dates in 2025-2026.

ACT Score Release 2025-2026

Test Date	When to Expect Scores
February 8, 2025	February 18 – April 4
April 5, 2025	April 15 – May 30
June 14, 2025	June 24 – August 8
July 12, 2025 (except New York)	July 22 – September 5
September 6, 2025	September 16 – October 31
October 18, 2025	October 28 – December 12
December 13, 2025	December 23, 2025 – February 6, 2026
February 14, 2026	February 24 – April 10
April 11, 2026	April 21 – June 5
June 13, 2026	June 23 – August 7
July 11, 2026 (except New York)	July 21 – September 4

How Long Does It Take to Get ACT Scores?

Most students get their ACT scores 2-4 weeks after their test. The earliest you could get your scores is 10 days after your test, while the latest is eight weeks after your test.

Here’s a simple breakdown of when to expect your ACT scores:

• 2-8 weeks after test date: Multiple-choice scores become available
• 2 weeks after multiple-choice scores: Writing scores become available (if you chose to take the Writing section)

On select test dates, ACT does what it calls “equating activities” to ensure scores represent the same level of skill across test dates. If you take the ACT on an equating test date, expect your scores to take slightly longer to come out — 3-8 weeks after your exam.

“It’s very likely that you’ll get your score well before eight weeks,” says Ben Paris, a test prep expert and tutor with over three decades of experience. “Still, if other people who took the test on the same day you did already received their scores, you can contact ACT and ask them if there’s a reason for the delay.”

How to Check ACT Scores

ACT will email you when your scores are available to view online. You can also log in to your MyACT account to check whether your scores are available.

While you might feel anxious to get your scores, try to relax as much as possible.

“Give yourself credit for completing the test, and then chill out,” advises Paris. “There’s nothing you can do to affect your score, so focus on other things.”

What to Do if You’re Disappointed With Your ACT Scores

Not everyone gets the ACT score they want, especially the first time around. Here’s what you can do if you’re not happy with the score you earned.

Retake the Test

Many students take the ACT more than once. In fact, ACT reports that test-takers typically take the exam 2-3 times to reach their goal score.

Just make sure you dedicate time to improving your biggest problem areas.

“Ask yourself some honest questions about how prepared you were and what you can do differently next time,” says Paris. “Do you need to learn (or relearn) more math or grammar? Did you understand what the questions were asking? Did you have timing issues? Could you have made a lot of sloppy mistakes?”

There are tons of free ACT prep resources you can use in your studying. Alternatively, you could opt for an online ACT prep course.

Paris recommends utilizing ACT My Answer Key, an official service that shows you exactly which questions you got right and wrong on your test.

Consider Withholding Scores for Test-Optional Colleges

If you plan to apply to mostly or all test-optional colleges, you might consider withholding your ACT scores from them if you didn’t do as well as you hoped to — or if your scores are considerably lower than the average scores of admitted applicants.

This way, your lower-than-expected scores won’t count against you in the admissions process.

Focus on Improving Other Application Materials

A less-than-great ACT score doesn’t guarantee you’ll get rejected from colleges. Take your time to make the rest of your application shine. For example, focus on writing a standout essay.

This way, schools can see other indicators of your skills and achievements.

Frequently Asked Questions About When ACT Scores Come Out

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What time do ACT scores come out?

According to ACT, the organization continuously processes ACT scores during regular business hours throughout each score release window. ACT is headquartered in Iowa City, so you can expect your scores to become available on a weekday between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Central Time.

How soon can I see my ACT scores?

The absolute earliest you can see your ACT scores is 10 days after your test. Assuming you took the test on a national test date, which is always on a Saturday, you can expect to get your scores the second Tuesday after your test.

Remember that this is the earliest you could get your scores. Some test-takers may have to wait longer — up to eight weeks at most — to get their scores.

Are ACT scores always released at midnight?

No, ACT scores are not always released at midnight. While ACT used to release scores at that time, currently, the organization states on its website that it only processes scores during business hours, or around 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central Time.

Several Reddit users recently reported receiving their ACT scores in the morning between 7 a.m. and noon local time.

Can you see ACT scores early?

In short, no. The earliest you can get your ACT scores is 10 days after your test date. You cannot view your scores at any point before then. ACT needs time to process official test scores before releasing them to test-takers and colleges.

Why is my ACT score not showing up?

If you can’t see your ACT score on your MyACT account and it’s been at least 10 days since your test date, it could be that ACT hasn’t released your scores yet. Remember that scores can take as long as eight weeks to be released.

Here are some common issues that could delay your scores:

• Answer documents from your test center arrived late
• You provided inconsistent or incorrect personal information
• Your test center reported an irregularity
• You didn’t pay any or all of your registration fees

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