Standby Testing for the ACT
If you’ve missed the late registration deadline for the upcoming February ACT, don’t panic!
Students who miss the late deadline to register for an ACT test date may still be able to take the exam under an option known as standby testing. Standby testing allows test takers to register late and, depending on the seat availability and number of no-shows at a given test center, still take the exam.
To register to take an ACT exam on standby, students must sign into their ACT accounts and request and pay for standby testing. An ACT test date’s Standby Request Period (i.e., the date range that students can sign up for standby testing) usually begins the day after the late registration deadline and lasts between a week and ten days. It’s important to reiterate that the Standby Request Period does not extend up through the test date itself, but rather ends approximately 8-10 days beforehand. Below you’ll find the Standby Request Periods for upcoming ACT Test Dates.
Test Date
Standby Request Period
February 9, 2019
January 19 – February 1
April 13, 2019
March 26 – April 5
June 9, 2019
May 21 – May 31
July 14, 2019
June 25 – July 5
Important Considerations for Standby Testing
- Students who register to take a test on standby are not guaranteed a spot.Test centers admit standby test takers on a first-come, first served basis, so it’s important to get to the testing center early.
- Students taking a test on Standby must bring acceptable photo identification as well as their printed Standby Ticket.
- Only standard time and regular print materials are available for standby testing. Therefore, students with testing accommodations should not plan to take a test on standby, as their accommodations won’t be available.
- Students not admitted to test will have their standby request fees refunded by the ACT.
- While standby students are not guaranteed a spot, they very commonly do get to actually take the test. Therefore, it’s crucial for students to prepare for a standby test the same way they would for any other. In short, prepare as though you’re going to test.
If you have any questions about Standby Testing or the ACT in general, please feel free to reach out to Maki Gorchynsky at maki@mosereducational.com.