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For many high school students, registering for the ACT feels like a rite of passage. But missing deadlines or rushing through prep can derail your college strategy. We’ll give you everything you need to know about this exam.
ACT Registration
ACT test dates are fixed well in advance, and so are the deadlines. Typically, regular registration closes about five weeks before the test. After that, you’ll enter the late registration window, which comes with extra fees.
Here’s a quick look at upcoming deadlines:
| Test Date | Regular Deadline | Late Deadline |
| June 14, 2025 | May 9, 2025 | May 29, 2025 |
| July 12, 2025 | June 6, 2025 | June 20, 2025 |
How to Register for the ACT Step-by-Step?
Registering for the ACT is entirely online through the MyACT portal. Here’s what the process looks like:
- Create a MyACT account using your email
- Enter personal details including school and contact info
- Select a test date and location (you can search nearby centers by ZIP code)
- Choose if you want to take the ACT with writing (not required by most colleges in 2025)
- Upload a photo that will appear on your test admission ticket
- Pay the fee—$68 without writing or $93 with writing (fee waivers available)
What Works for High School Students?
Let’s break it down by what actually delivers results:
| Approach | Why It Works? |
| Timed Practice Tests | Builds pacing and stamina—two of the biggest ACT hurdles |
| Targeted Section Review | Helps focus on weakest areas without wasting time |
| Use of Real ACT Questions | Reduces surprises and test-day anxiety |
| Small Group or 1-on-1 Tutoring | Allows customized feedback and test-day strategy coaching |
| Daily Micro-Drills | Keeps skills sharp without overwhelming students |
| Score Tracking Over Time | Helps students visualize progress and stay motivated |
Top Test Prep Resources That Actually Help
Here’s a quick comparison of the most effective resources, based on real outcomes—not just flashy branding:
| Resource | Best For | Why It Helps? |
| Bluebook™ by College Board | SAT (especially digital SAT practice) | Official, adaptive, and closest to real test format |
| ACT Official Prep Guide | ACT prep with real past questions | Accurate question types + detailed scoring explanations |
| Khan Academy (SAT) | Foundational skills and concept review | Free, personalized, and linked to College Board |
| Legacy Online School Programs | Students who want structure + feedback | Live instructors, custom plans, and tracked results |
| Reddit (r/SAT, r/ACT) | Strategy hacks and real test-taker tips | Honest experiences, score breakdowns, prep timelines |
How to Balance School Assignments with Test Prep?
Instead of treating ACT prep like a separate “thing” you have to squeeze in, think of it as part of your academic life. Reading comprehension drills help with English class. Math timing exercises boost your confidence for both the test and your weekly quizzes. When you see the overlap, you start using schoolwork to sharpen test skills, and vice versa.
But even with the right mindset, real time management is where most students struggle. This is where structure makes or breaks your progress. Professional help from institutions like Legacy Online School can help a lot.
One common mistake is front-loading your prep. Students cram for two weeks and burn out fast. But ACT improvement usually happens in slow, steady layers. A student who spends 20-30 focused minutes per day for two months will almost always outperform someone who goes all-in for one week.
Teachers want to see you succeed—and they get it. Letting them know you’re balancing ACT prep with their class may earn you flexibility on deadlines, or even suggestions on what skills to double down on.
Motivation is easier when you’re not doing it alone. Whether it’s a friend studying for the same test or a coach at Legacy Online School guiding your prep, accountability helps. It turns test prep from a task into a team effort—and makes it more likely you’ll stay consistent even when things get hectic.
ACT Test Format: What to Expect on Test Day?
The ACT is structured into four multiple-choice sections—plus Writing if you opt in:
- English (45 min, 75 questions)
- Math (60 min, 60 questions)
- Reading (35 min, 40 questions)
- Science (35 min, 40 questions)
- Optional Essay (40 minutes)
The digital ACT, now offered at some schools, maintains the same format but is taken on a computer. Use the ACT Test Day Checklist for full prep.
“I got to center, they checked me in, and then I was assigned my PC. It was a good big screen computer which was great for testing. And we already had some sheets on my desk. It had my password, photo and all that good stuff. Then we were given kind of a thick paper with glossy material, and a thin marker which was way better than pen and pencil. It was erasable so that’s good”
What Are the Alternatives to SAT/ACT in Applications?
Here are the most common alternatives colleges now consider—and how they’re used in real admissions decisions:
| Alternative | What It Shows? | Example Colleges That Accept It |
| High School GPA & Transcript | Academic consistency and rigor over time | University of California system (test-free) places heavy weight on GPA and A-G coursework |
| AP Exams & IB Scores | Mastery of college-level material | NYU accepts 3 AP scores as a full testing alternative |
| Class Rank | Performance relative to peers | University of Texas at Austin guarantees admission to top 6% of Texas high school grads |
| Essays & Personal Statements | Writing ability, voice, values | University of Chicago emphasizes essays as a central part of holistic review |
| Letters of Recommendation | Insight from teachers or mentors | Boston College encourages letters to add depth beyond stats |
| Portfolio or Creative Work | Talent in art, music, film, or other creative fields | NYU Tisch School of the Arts requires a creative portfolio instead of test scores |
| Dual Enrollment or College Credit | College-level success in real courses | Many community colleges offer programs that transfer directly to state universities |
| Performance-Based Assessments | Real-world projects or research | Hampshire College uses project-based assessments in place of traditional scores |
How to Improve Before Test Day?
Legacy Online School helps students build the confidence and skills they need to succeed on the SAT® and ACT®. All lessons are delivered live online, with real-time support and feedback from qualified instructors who are fully invested in your progress. If you’re serious about improving your score, we’re here to guide you every step of the way.
Start by doing full-length timed practice tests under real conditions. Don’t just casually go through them—simulate the pressure of test day, including the breaks. Legacy Online School ACT instructors recommend using official ACT practice tests from ACT.org or the prep materials in The Official ACT Prep Guide, since those best match what you’ll see on test day.
Try keeping a correction log. Every time you get a question wrong, write down:
- The topic (e.g., subject-verb agreement)
- The type of mistake (misread? ran out of time?)
- The correct reasoning
This creates a personalized roadmap and helps stop you from repeating the same mistake.
Here’s a quick chart to help you prioritize the final stretch:
| Focus Area | Action Steps |
| Full-Length Practice | Take at least 2 timed tests, review each one fully |
| Weak Topics | Drill 3-5 hardest concepts (based on past mistakes) |
| Strategy | Review pacing methods, guess strategies, and section order |
| Logistics | Confirm test center info, pack supplies, sleep well |
| Mental Readiness | Reduce study time 1-2 days before, focus on rest and mindset |
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Top Tips from Our Expert
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Ana Lucía Torres, Senior Learning Advisor
Sources: College Board, ACT, Reddit
