Okay, so I took the ACT back in October and…well, let’s just say it didn’t go as planned. My scores were way lower than my practice tests and I’m really worried about my college applications now. I need to retake it ASAP.
But I’m also on a really tight budget, so I’m stressing about the cost. What’s the standard registration fee to retake the ACT (with no writing)? I know it probably went up a little since I took it last time. And what about if I want to add the writing portion this time around? Is that a separate fee on top of the retake registration?
Also, I’m running a little late signing up – how much are the late fees these days? And is there any way to get a fee waiver, considering my current financial situation? I qualified for one for the SAT in the past. Does the ACT offer similar waivers, and how do I apply if they do? I just really need to know all the costs involved so I can figure out if I can swing it or if I need to look at other options, like maybe just sticking with my current score and hoping for the best (which I really don’t want to do).
Answer
The cost to retake the ACT depends on whether you choose to include the writing section.
-
ACT (No Writing): The basic fee is currently \$68.00.
- ACT with Writing: The fee for the ACT with the writing section is \$93.00.
These are the standard registration fees. Additional fees may apply in certain circumstances:
-
Late Registration Fee: If you register after the regular deadline but before the late registration deadline, you will be charged a late fee of \$38.00.
-
Standby Testing Fee: If you miss the late registration deadline, you may be able to register for standby testing, but this is not guaranteed. The standby fee is \$68.00 in addition to the test fee (\$68.00 or \$93.00).
-
Test Center Change Fee: If you need to change your test center after registering, there is a fee of \$44.00.
-
Test Date Change Fee: If you need to change your test date after registering, there is a fee of \$44.00.
-
Additional Score Reports: The base registration fee includes reports for you, your high school, and up to four colleges you select when you register. If you want to send your scores to additional colleges after you’ve registered or received your scores, there is a fee of \$18.00 per college.
-
Score Verification: If you believe your multiple-choice score is incorrect, you can request a verification service for \$55.00. If you took the writing test and believe your essay score is incorrect, you can request a verification service for \$58.00. If there was a scoring error, the fee will be refunded.
- Fees for Examinees Testing Outside the United States: Fees for students testing outside the United States, Puerto Rico, and U.S. territories are higher. These fees vary by location and are available on the ACT website during registration.
