Special ACT Testing Circumstances
The ACT has several contingencies in place to help students overcome issues of disability, economic hardship and geographic limitations. Here are a few of the options available for students when registering:
- Fee waivers - Students who meet certain qualifications as listed on the official ACT fee waiver form are eligible to receive a total of two fee waivers. The waivers cover the test fee and up to four college codes, but not any of the special or late fees. ACT waivers must be requested through a school's guidance office, and due to fund limitations, only a certain number are granted each testing year.
- Non-Saturday testing - Students who live in a remote area (defined as more than 50 miles from a test center) or who have religious beliefs that prevent them from Saturday testing may apply for non-Saturday testing. If no non-Saturday test centers are available locally, students may use the ACT Request for Arranged Testing application from the ACT Web site to sign up, and they must bring a notarized statement from a cleric explaining that the student's beliefs forbid Saturday testing.
- Homebound or confined students - Students who are too ill to leave their residence or are confined may use the ACT Request for Arranged Testing application to arrange testing. It is recommended that students enlist guidance counselors to assist them in this process if needed.
- Disabled students - Students who have disabilities can apply for testing accommodations, including extended time periods and alternate testing formats. Any student with a professionally diagnosed and documented disability is eligible for these accommodations, per the ACT Policy for Documentation.
Students should note that the ACT does not make accommodations for limited English proficiency; the ACT is not offered in any other language than English, and limited proficiency is not at present an eligible reason to request extended time periods for testing.
