How to Choose an ACT Test Date for the 2010 - 2011 School Year

Becoming a junior is exciting - now you're finally an upperclassman! But one of the biggest decisions (even bigger than driver's ed) is when you will take the ACT test. It seems that everyone has their own strategy and what generally happens is that you don't make the decision yourself and the calendar ends up making the decision for you... That's not a strategy for success.




For the 2010 - 2011 School Year, the test dates (and registration deadlines) are as follows:


     •October 23, 2011 (register by September 17 to avoid a late registration charge)
     •December 11, 2011 (register by November 5th to avoid a late registration charge)
     •February 12, 2012 (register by January 7 to avoid a late registration charge)
     •April 9, 2012 (register by March 4 to avoid a late registration charge)
     •June 11, 2012 (register by May 6 to avoid a late registration charge)


First, Select the Month


The best month to take the test is as early as possible in your junior year. This allows you to have time to study and retake the test if you do poorly and want to increase your score. Ideally, you want to take the test in December or earlier. After you add on three weeks after the test date to get your score report, you will still have plenty of time, if you need to, to study and retake the test in February, April or June.


When making your decision, check your school calendar to see what things might interfere with the test date you want. For instance, a late night homecoming basketball game on the Friday night before the test Saturday morning is not a good idea. Check your exam schedule, prom and other activities.


Second, Register On Time


Register for the test as soon as you can. There is no guarantee that you will be able to get a seat if registering just before the deadline, let alone if you are registering late. You may end up having to go to a different test center farther from your house if there is no more room at your preferred test site, and that extra drive means you have to get up earlier before the test, giving you less sleep.


Third, Register for a TIR With NO Reports Sent to Schools


When you register for the December, April or June test dates and take the test at a designated "National Test Center" you can pay a fee of $18 extra to receive a TIR (Test Information Report) that will give you a copy of your test, the answers you selected and the answer key. This is the best possible way to understand why you got questions wrong and what you need to study if you decide to retake the test!


If you aren't sure about how well you are prepared for the test, you can choose to NOT send your scores to the colleges you are applying to. That way, if you didn't do as well as you'd like and intend to retake the test, you can send the scores from the next test (a small additional fee is required). Knowing that nobody will see your score until and unless you send it to them can be a BIG stress reliever on test day!


The best way to prepare for the test is a little bit every day instead of trying to cram. You can do that by subscribing to an email newsletter or a "tip of the day."


For a free month's worth of Video Tips of the Day, go to http://www.CollegeExamTutor.com where you can select either the weekly newsletter, the Daily Video Tips or both.