When Do ACT Scores Come Out? Full 2023-24 Schedule

ACT scores usually come out 10 days after the test, but it can sometimes take longer. Read on to learn when you can expect to receive your ACT scores.
By
portrait of Jackalyn Beck
Jackalyn Beck
Read Full Bio

Writer

Jackalyn Beck has been a professional writer since 2014. She loves taking complex topics and making them easy to understand. She writes in various niches including education, business, food, and gardening. She has dual bachelor's degrees from Oklahom...
Updated on August 23, 2023
Edited by
portrait of Tyler Epps
Tyler Epps
Read Full Bio

Editor & Writer

Tyler Epps is an editor for BestColleges. He writes and edits content about higher education, specializing in degree planning and college rankings. He is passionate about helping students prepare for college and navigate their educational journey. He...
Learn more about our editorial process

www.bestcolleges.com is an advertising-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site.

Turn Your Dreams Into Reality

Take our quiz and we'll do the homework for you! Compare your school matches and apply to your top choice today.


  • Students may receive their results as early as 10 days after the exam.
  • ACT scores are usually released to colleges two weeks after the test date.
  • Test-takers can find their results through their MyACT account.
  • Scores can be sent to colleges after the exam.

Knowing when ACT scores come out can help you get organized when applying to colleges. Students can typically expect to receive their ACT scores about 10-24 days after their test date.

Having your score is important for general college admissions, but it can also be used to qualify you for dual enrollment and scholarships.

What is considered a good ACT score for you depends on which colleges you're trying to get into. The higher your score, the better. In general, aim for a score that is above the 50th percentile.

ACT Score Release Dates: Complete 2023-24 Schedule

When ACT scores are released depends on your test date. Because the test is taken on a Saturday, results usually come out on a Tuesday.

While it normally only takes 10 days for ACT Inc. to release scores, it can take longer depending on your test date.

Complete 2023-24 ACT Test Schedule
Test Date Timeframe When Students Receive Scores
June 10, 2023 June 20 - August 4
July 15, 2023 July 25 - September8
September 9, 2023 September 19 - November 3
October 28, 2023 November 14 - December 15
December 9, 2023 December 19 - February 2, 2024
February 10, 2024 February 20 - April 5
April 13, 2024 April 23 - June 7
June 10, 2024 June 18 - August 2
July 13, 2024 July 23 - September 6

Source: ACT.org

How Long Does It Take to Get ACT Scores?

Typically, it only takes 10-24 days for you to receive your results. However, scores for the essay portion are released around two weeks after the multiple-choice portion. This is because two trained readers manually score the ACT Writing section.

While you can manually send your results to universities, it's best to have your scores sent automatically. You can choose schools to send your scores to when you register for the test. Colleges typically receive ACT scores 2-8 weeks after your test date.

Don't be worried if you don't receive your scores within the normal timeframe. It can take up to eight weeks for ACT scores to be released (though this is uncommon).

When Do ACT School Day Scores Come Out?

In some states and school districts, students may take the ACT during a school day. ACT scores are typically released in 10 days. However, ACT results for school day test-takers may take a bit longer — around three weeks. Just like with standard scoring, the results may be delayed up to eight weeks.

If your results take more than three weeks to arrive, don't bug your school counselor. They might send the tests off, but they have no control over when the results appear online.

ACT State and District Testing is also offered on a schedule, with multiple potential test dates in the fall and spring. Check with your high school counselor for more information on your school's ACT testing schedule.

What Time Do ACT Scores Come Out?

ACT scores are posted once per day at 12 a.m. Central time — that's 10 p.m. Pacific time, 11 p.m. Mountain time, and 1 a.m. Eastern time.

If results don't appear at that time, wait until the next day or week to check. It is common for ACT scores to take extra time to show up. ACT Inc. should also send you an email when your results are available to view online.

How Do I Find My ACT Scores?

Test-takers can find their ACT scores on MyACT. You need to use the login you created when you first registered for the exam.

Once you are logged into your account, click "Your Test Dates and Scores." Then, choose "View Scores." From there, you should be able to see your results.

How to Send ACT Scores to Colleges

It's common for students to take the exam a few times to aim for better scores. Regardless, students may decide to send their ACT scores to colleges or scholarship organizations.

If test-takers want to have their results automatically sent to universities, they can arrange for it during ACT online registration. In step three of registering for the test, students can choose to have their test scores sent to up to four universities for free.

If you didn't arrange for the scores to be sent automatically during your registration for the test, you must pay $18 for each test report, unless you qualified for an ACT fee waiver.

Because of the fee, many students opt to send their scores automatically. However, if you are trying to get into a competitive school, you may want to send your scores after you've seen the report to make sure they're high enough.

BestColleges.com is an advertising-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site.

Compare Your School Options

View the most relevant schools for your interests and compare them by tuition, programs, acceptance rate, and other factors important to finding your college home.