The current U.S. National ACT fee is $70 for English, Math, and Reading. Science adds $5 and Writing adds $25, making the core plus both optional sections $100. These figures were checked on ACT’s dedicated fee page on September 6, 2026.
The total you pay may also include late registration, a change, or additional score reports. International and school-managed testing should not be priced from this National fee table. Always review the actual registration order before paying. ACT current fees
Compare the test options
| National registration option | Current listed fee |
|---|---|
| English, Math, Reading | $70 |
| Core plus Science | $75 |
| Core plus Writing | $95 |
| Core plus Science and Writing | $100 |
The optional sections are separate choices. Taking Writing does not automatically mean you have selected Science, and taking English does not mean you have selected the optional essay.
Decide from your testing arrangement and verified college or program requirements. A low add-on price alone does not answer whether the section serves your goals, and a higher price does not make it academically necessary.
Other charges can change the total
ACT’s fee page currently lists these additional charges:
| Service | Listed fee |
|---|---|
| Late registration | $42 |
| Standby testing | $75 |
| Change fee | $49 |
| Additional score report | $20 |
Standby is subject to its conditions and does not guarantee admission to a test center. Check the current refund terms for that service rather than assuming every fee works the same way. ACT fee details
There is a source inconsistency worth resolving before a change: ACT’s dedicated fee page lists a $49 change fee, while the test-date page’s FAQ still states $44. This guide uses the dedicated fee table. Confirm the amount shown for your actual change in MyACT. ACT test-date FAQ
Build a realistic budget
Separate required registration from possible extras. Consider transport, meals or snacks, an optional permitted calculator you actually need, and time away from work.
For an original example, a student choosing core plus Science pays a listed $75 before other charges. Adding two $20 additional reports would bring those listed services to $115. Registering during the late period instead adds a different expense; it should not be hidden inside the base test cost.
Do not assume you must purchase every preparation product or reporting service displayed during registration. Review what each item does and whether it belongs in your plan.
A family budget should also distinguish cash costs from time costs. A cheaper date at a distant center may require more travel and create a less workable morning.
What the registration price includes
ACT’s National fee schedule says pricing includes reports for the student, high school, and up to four colleges when the appropriate codes are provided during registration. Additional-report arrangements have their own fees and timing. ACT included reports
Before ordering extra reports, check what you already selected. Keep the confirmation so you do not pay twice because you cannot remember the recipient list.
Also check each college’s self-reporting policy. If an institution accepts self-reported scores at the application stage, an official paid report may be required later rather than immediately. Use the institution’s current instructions to decide.
Who may qualify for a fee waiver?
ACT’s current program describes eligibility for students enrolled in grade 11 or 12 who test in the United States, U.S. territories, or Puerto Rico and meet an indicator of economic need. A school counselor helps determine eligibility and provide the code. ACT fee-waiver eligibility
Examples of the listed need indicators include qualifying meal-program eligibility, certain economic-support programs, foster care or homelessness, specified public assistance, or household income within the applicable guidelines.
Do not assume that participating in a named enrichment program alone establishes eligibility. The economic-need criteria still matter.
If your situation is not straightforward, bring the question to a counselor. You do not need to publish private financial information in a forum to get a general eligibility answer.
What the current waiver covers
The current ACT program lists registration for up to two tests, including the add-on fees for optional Science and/or Writing. It also describes preparation resources, eligible answer-key access, and additional-score-report benefits. Review the current program details before relying on an older four-test statement. ACT fee-waiver benefits
Coverage is not the same as automatic registration. You still need to use the code, complete the required steps, meet deadlines, and confirm the chosen options.
Ask specifically about a charge that appears unexpectedly. Do not assume every possible late, standby, or change fee is included merely because the base registration is waived.
A practical waiver request
Before your target date approaches, ask the counselor who handles ACT fee waivers at your school. Explain the intended testing date and ask what information is needed.
Keep a small checklist:
- Eligibility reviewed.
- Code received.
- Code entered in the correct registration.
- Included options checked.
- Any remaining charge understood.
- Photo and other registration tasks completed.
- Confirmation saved.
If you have already used a waiver, confirm what remains available. Avoid making a second account to try to obtain benefits again; use the legitimate process for your record.
Changes and missed tests need careful handling
A test-date change is not necessarily the same transaction as creating a completely new registration. ACT’s current rules describe how charges and refunds apply when an eligible change is processed.
If you need to reschedule, read the current instructions before clicking through another purchase. Save the change confirmation and review the new date, center, sections, and any updated deadlines.
Most listed fees are nonrefundable unless a specific exception applies. Do not assume that simply not attending cancels the order or creates a refund.
Choose preparation spending by need
Before buying a resource, identify the problem it is meant to solve. A student who needs clearer explanations of functions has a different need from one who understands the content but makes pacing mistakes.
Start with current official practice materials to learn the format and establish a baseline. Review the mistakes before purchasing several overlapping products.
Use the ACT score calculator with the supported official form. A score can help organize your questions, but it should not become a reason to buy every advertised service.
Check costs again before the transaction
Fees and benefits can change. Use this article as a budget framework, then verify the dedicated ACT fee page, your waiver arrangement, and the actual checkout summary.
SHSPrep’s ACT program includes lessons, targeted practice, and two original full-length mock tests with raw performance results. A clear budget and a focused learning plan can help you reserve money and time for the parts of preparation you actually need.