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Current ACT fees
| Item | Fee |
|---|---|
| The ACT (English, Math, Reading) | $70.00 |
| With Science | $75.00 |
| With Writing | $95.00 |
| With Science and Writing | $100.00 |
| Late registration | $42.00 |
| Standby testing | $75.00 |
| Change fee (test date, test center or test form) | $49.00 |
| Additional score reports | $20.00 each |
| Score reports to 5th and 6th college choices | $20.00 |
| ACT My Answer Key | $36.00 before the test, $44.00 after |
| Score verification | $67.00 (multiple choice or writing), $134.00 (both) |
ACT says its fees are nonrefundable unless it notes otherwise (the standby fee, for example, is refunded if you're turned away on test day), and registration prices include score reports for you, your school and up to four colleges (ACT fees).
What a typical plan costs
Add up the attempts you expect. ACT says students take 2 to 3 attempts on average (ACT), and figured at ACT's listed fees:
- two core tests: $140
- two tests with Science: $150
- three core tests: $210
- one late registration adds $42
Plan your attempts with the retake guide. If you're adding a tutor, the tutoring cost estimator prices a full plan with these fees included.
ACT fee waivers
According to ACT's fee waiver program, qualifying students can get up to two fee waivers. Each one covers the registration fee, including Writing or Science (ACT fee waivers), and also includes:
- a free score report to your high school and up to six to colleges at registration
- access to test prep resources and ACT My Answer Key
- the option to request college application fee waivers or deferrals
Waivers are ordered through schools, so start with your school counselor.
Is the ACT cheaper than the SAT?
The base fees are close: $70 for the ACT and $68 for the SAT, which College Board lists for tests through December 2026 (ACT; College Board). The bigger differences are the optional ACT add-ons and how many attempts you plan. See how the two tests compare for the rest of the comparison.
What other guides say
What we found is that published fee figures disagree. Some pages list a $68 base fee and a $4 Science add-on (Miami Herald), and others list $72 (Kaplan). ACT.org lists $70 and $5 on the date we checked. Fees change, so treat ACT.org as the final word.
Frequently asked questions
How much does the ACT cost?
ACT lists $70 for English, Math and Reading, $75 with Science, $95 with Writing and $100 with both.
How much is the ACT late fee?
ACT lists late registration at $42 and standby testing at $75.
How do I get an ACT fee waiver?
Qualifying students can receive up to two fee waivers covering registration, including Science or Writing. Waivers are ordered through schools, so ask your school counselor.
Is the ACT cheaper than the SAT?
The base fees are close: ACT lists $70 and College Board lists $68 for the SAT.
How much do extra score reports cost?
ACT lists additional score reports at $20 each. Registration includes reports to you, your school and up to four colleges.
Related guides
Sources and how this page is built
How this page is built
Research current as of:
Cedrick Reese checked every fee on this page for TutoringForAct.com directly against ACT's fee schedule and registration page, and the fee waiver details against ACT's fee waiver program page. The SAT fee comes from College Board's BigFuture comparison. Because fees change, this page carries its check date and is rechecked before each testing season and whenever ACT updates its fees.
Sources
- ACT Fees (ACT)
- Can You Retake the ACT? (ACT)
- ACT Fee Waiver Program (ACT)
- SAT Test Fees (College Board)
- How Much Does the ACT Cost? (Miami Herald)
- ACT Test Dates & Fees 2026 (Kaplan)
ACT® is a registered trademark of ACT Education Corp., which is not affiliated with and does not endorse this site. ACT policies, fees and score tables change; check ACT.org before you register or apply.