How Much to Take the ACT: Full 2025 Cost Breakdown

The ACT costs $68 for the standard test (no writing) and $93 if you add the optional writing section, based on ACT’s current pricing. On top of that base fee, you may pay extra for late registration ($40), standby testing ($75), a test date change ($44), or additional score reports (about $18 each), while students who qualify for a fee waiver can take the ACT for free. This article breaks down what it costs to take the ACT, what triggers each add-on fee, and how to estimate your real total.

ACT Test Fees

The base registration price for the ACT without the writing test is $68. This covers the multiple-choice sections (English, math, reading, and science) and includes your score report to you and up to four colleges of your choice.

If you want to add the optional writing test — a 40-minute essay scored separately — you pay $93 total. That means the writing add-on effectively costs $25 more than the no-writing option.

A few things worth knowing about this base fee:

• The $68 and $93 prices apply to national test dates in the U.S. and are set by ACT directly.
• Your registration includes one report sent to your high school plus up to four free score reports to colleges (selected by a deadline after the test).
• Prices are published each year on ACT’s official site, so it’s smart to confirm the current figure before you register, since ACT can adjust fees.

For most students testing once at a national test center without extras, $68 is the number that matters.

Additional Costs

Beyond the base fee, the ACT charges for several add-on services. These add up quickly if you register late or change plans, so review them before you finalize registration.

Late Registration — $40

If you miss the regular registration deadline but register during the late window (usually about a week or two later), you pay a $40 late fee on top of your base registration. This is one of the most common and easily avoidable charges.

Standby Testing — $75

Standby testing lets you show up at a test center without a confirmed registration, hoping a seat is available. It costs $75 and is not guaranteed — if no seat opens up, you may not be able to test, and the fee policy can vary. This is a backup option, not a plan.

Test Date Change — $44

Need to move your test to a different date? The test date change fee is $44. If you simply switch test centers without changing the date, there’s typically no charge. Note that changing your registration type (for example, adding writing) may also carry a fee.

Score Reports and Other Services

Your registration includes free score reports, but additional score reports cost about $18 each for standard delivery. You can also pay for expedited scoring or other optional services. These aren’t required, but they add up if you’re applying to many schools and send reports after your free ones are used.

Worked Example

Say you register late and add writing. That’s $93 (with writing) + $40 (late) = $133. Skip those two add-ons and you’re back to the standard $68.

Fee Waivers Available

Not everyone pays these prices. ACT offers fee waivers that let eligible students take the test for free — including the registration fee and, in many cases, some additional benefits.

Who Qualifies

Fee waivers are generally available to:

• High school students in 11th or 12th grade (some 10th graders may qualify in certain cases).
• Students who receive free or reduced-price lunch.
• Students from families receiving public assistance or living in foster care.
• Students who are homeless or enrolled in a program for the homeless.
• Students whose family income falls below a specified threshold.

You generally must be testing in the U.S., a U.S. territory, or a Department of Defense school, and meet at least one of the criteria above.

What Waivers Cover

A fee waiver typically covers:

• The full registration fee for the ACT (with or without writing, depending on the waiver type).
• Free score reports to colleges.
• Access to free test prep resources.
• The ability to request a waiver for the writing test or other add-ons in some cases.

Each waiver usually provides up to four fee waivers, letting you retake the test and use additional services at no cost.

How to Apply

You don’t apply to ACT directly. Instead:

1. Talk to your school counselor. They confirm your eligibility and provide the waiver or a code.
2. Register for the ACT and enter the waiver code during registration (or mark that you’re using a waiver).
3. Submit documentation if your school requests it.

Because eligibility rules and waiver benefits can change, check with your counselor or ACT directly to confirm what you qualify for.

Total Cost Scenarios

Here’s how the numbers stack up in common situations. All figures assume current ACT pricing and are for U.S. national test dates.

International testing: Students testing outside the U.S., U.S. territories, or DOD schools pay a higher fee that includes an international surcharge. The exact amount varies by country, so international students should check ACT’s site for the current international fee before registering.

Retakes: There’s no discount for retaking the ACT — each attempt costs the full base fee again. If you’re planning to test twice with writing, budget about $186. If you qualify for a fee waiver, retakes may be covered.

Bottom line: Most U.S. students pay $68 for a standard ACT, or $93 with writing. Add-ons like late registration and score reports push that higher, but careful planning keeps your total at the base price — and eligible students can pay nothing at all.

Key Takeaways

• Standard ACT (no writing): $68. With the optional writing test: $93.
• Late registration adds $40, standby testing costs $75, and a test date change is $44.
• Extra score reports cost about $18 each; your registration includes free reports to up to four colleges.
• Fee waivers cover the full registration for eligible 11th and 12th graders — ask your school counselor.
• Retakes cost full price each time, so two tests with writing run about $186.
• International students pay more due to a surcharge; confirm the current amount on ACT’s official site.
• Always verify current fees at act.org before registering, since ACT updates pricing periodically.