Can I retake the ACT

Okay, so I took the ACT last year, like in October. I wasn’t really prepared, and my score wasn’t great – it was a 23. My friends were all scoring way higher, and I know I can do better. I’m a senior now, and I’m applying to colleges in the fall.

So my question is, can I retake the ACT? Is it too late since I already took it once? Also, is there a limit to how many times you can take it? I’m worried about colleges seeing that I took it multiple times and thinking I’m a bad test-taker.

Also, if I can retake it, when should I? I’m trying to decide between the July and September test dates. Which one gives me more time to study but still gets the scores back to colleges in time for application deadlines?

And does taking it more than once hurt my chances? Will colleges only look at my highest score, or will they see all my scores? My dream school super-scores, but some of the other schools I’m applying to might not.

Finally, is there anything I should do differently this time to actually improve my score? Last time I just kind of winged it. I’m thinking about getting a tutor, but I don’t know if I can afford it. Are there any good free resources out there?

Answer

Yes, you can retake the ACT.

The ACT, Inc. allows students to take the ACT multiple times. There is no limit to the number of times you can take the test. Many students choose to retake the ACT to improve their scores.

When you send your scores to colleges, you have options regarding which scores you send:

• Superscoring: Some colleges use "superscoring," where they take the highest score from each section across multiple test dates to create a new, composite score. If a college superscores, retaking the ACT can be very beneficial because you can focus on improving specific sections without needing to perform well on all sections each time.
• Highest Single Test Date: Some colleges only consider the highest composite score from a single test date. In this case, it’s still beneficial to retake the ACT if you believe you can improve your overall performance on all sections in one sitting.
• All Scores: Some colleges require you to send all of your ACT scores. Even if a college requires all scores, a higher score can still demonstrate improvement and potential.

To register for a retake, you need to register again online at the ACT website and pay the registration fee.

Before retaking the ACT, it’s advisable to:

• Analyze your previous score reports: Identify areas where you performed well and areas where you can improve.
• Create a study plan: Focus on the areas where you need the most improvement.
• Use practice tests and resources: Familiarize yourself with the test format and content.
• Consider test-taking strategies: Learn and practice strategies for time management, question selection, and eliminating incorrect answers.

Scores are typically available 2-8 weeks after the test date, depending on the administration and whether you took the writing section.

Written by

Studentanswers Editorial Team

University Admissions, GPA, SAT/ACT, Teacher Careers, Student Finance Expertise: Education Content Specialist & Research Writer 19+ years of experience

I'm Mustafa Bulut, an education researcher and content specialist with over a decade of experience helping students navigate the complexities of academic life — from decoding GPA scales to understanding what top universities actually look for in applicants. My work focuses on making higher education accessible and understandable. I've spent years researching university admissions processes, standardized testing systems (SAT, ACT, TOEFL), and the real-world career paths that follow graduation. Whether you're a high school junior trying to figure out if your GPA is competitive for Ivy League schools, or an adult learner weighing the cost of going back to school, I write with you in mind. I cover five core areas on StudentAnswers: university admissions and GPA benchmarks, SAT and ACT test preparation strategies, teacher career outlooks and education job markets, global literacy trends and education access, and student finance including loans, scholarships, and hidden costs of higher education. Before launching StudentAnswers, I worked extensively with education data — analyzing acceptance rates, salary statistics for education professionals, and literacy reports from UNESCO and national education departments. I believe that good education content should give readers a clear answer, not just more questions. Every article I publish goes through a research and editorial review process. I cite primary sources wherever possible — official university data, government labor statistics, and peer-reviewed education research — because students deserve accurate information when making decisions that shape their futures.

✓ Reviewed by: Studentanswers Editorial Team ✓ Fact-checked: 16 October 2025

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