ACT Online Testing (BYOD) in 2025–26: What Schools & Tutors Must Know how long is the ACT Test

ACT Online Testing (BYOD) in 2025–26: What Schools & Tutors Must Know how long is the ACT Test

ACT Online Testing (BYOD) in 2025–26: What Schools & Tutors Must Know how long is the ACT Test

Education

Education

3 minutes

3 minutes

Aug 11, 2025

Aug 11, 2025

ACT Online Testing (BYOD) in 2025–26: What Schools & Tutors Must Know  how long is the act test
ACT Online Testing (BYOD) in 2025–26: What Schools & Tutors Must Know  how long is the act test
ACT Online Testing (BYOD) in 2025–26: What Schools & Tutors Must Know  how long is the act test

ACT is moving online with BYOD at in-person sites. Families ask “how long is the act test?” and “when is it?”. Your job: publish timing, set windows, and sync prep to delivery. Share dates from ACT Test Dates & Deadlines finish tasks in Registration for Schools keep an updated overview on the ACT Prep Resource Hub for Educators so everyone has the same accurate information.

ACT is moving online with BYOD at in-person sites. Families ask “how long is the act test?” and “when is it?”. Your job: publish timing, set windows, and sync prep to delivery. Share dates from ACT Test Dates & Deadlines finish tasks in Registration for Schools keep an updated overview on the ACT Prep Resource Hub for Educators so everyone has the same accurate information.

ACT is moving online with BYOD at in-person sites. Families ask “how long is the act test?” and “when is it?”. Your job: publish timing, set windows, and sync prep to delivery. Share dates from ACT Test Dates & Deadlines finish tasks in Registration for Schools keep an updated overview on the ACT Prep Resource Hub for Educators so everyone has the same accurate information.

ACT timing and section planning

ACT timing and section planning

ACT timing and section planning

The core ACT (English, Math, Reading) is 2h05. Science (40m) and Writing (40m) are optional. That’s the official act time breakdown schools should publish.

Section

Items

Time

English

50

35m

Math

45

50m

Reading

36

40m

Science (optional)

40

40m

Writing (optional)

1

40m

The core ACT (English, Math, Reading) is 2h05. Science (40m) and Writing (40m) are optional. That’s the official act time breakdown schools should publish.

Section

Items

Time

English

50

35m

Math

45

50m

Reading

36

40m

Science (optional)

40

40m

Writing (optional)

1

40m

The core ACT (English, Math, Reading) is 2h05. Science (40m) and Writing (40m) are optional. That’s the official act time breakdown schools should publish.

Section

Items

Time

English

50

35m

Math

45

50m

Reading

36

40m

Science (optional)

40

40m

Writing (optional)

1

40m

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BYOD and logistics that matter

BYOD and logistics that matter

BYOD and logistics that matter

ACT timing doesn’t change with BYOD, but logistics do. BYOD begins September 2025 for national testing; schools/districts follow in spring 2026. Testing is in-center only—not at home. Supported devices: Chromebooks, Windows, Mac (tablets not supported).

ACT timing doesn’t change with BYOD, but logistics do. BYOD begins September 2025 for national testing; schools/districts follow in spring 2026. Testing is in-center only—not at home. Supported devices: Chromebooks, Windows, Mac (tablets not supported).

ACT timing doesn’t change with BYOD, but logistics do. BYOD begins September 2025 for national testing; schools/districts follow in spring 2026. Testing is in-center only—not at home. Supported devices: Chromebooks, Windows, Mac (tablets not supported).

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Scheduling windows + retake cadence

Scheduling windows + retake cadence

Scheduling windows + retake cadence

Plan around a two-week school-day window (often two 4–5 day blocks). Across fall plus spring events, districts can cover up to ~8 weeks of total testing time for cohorts, make-ups, and retakes. Communicate dates to parents early and note BYOD checklists in reminders.

For retakes, a structured cadence works best:

  • Week 0: Baseline timed test

  • Weeks 1–3: Targeted drills on weak areas

  • Week 4: First official attempt

  • Weeks 5–8: Focused review and timed practice

  • Week 9: Second attempt

  • Optional Week 13+: Third attempt if needed


Plan around a two-week school-day window (often two 4–5 day blocks). Across fall plus spring events, districts can cover up to ~8 weeks of total testing time for cohorts, make-ups, and retakes. Communicate dates to parents early and note BYOD checklists in reminders.

For retakes, a structured cadence works best:

  • Week 0: Baseline timed test

  • Weeks 1–3: Targeted drills on weak areas

  • Week 4: First official attempt

  • Weeks 5–8: Focused review and timed practice

  • Week 9: Second attempt

  • Optional Week 13+: Third attempt if needed


Plan around a two-week school-day window (often two 4–5 day blocks). Across fall plus spring events, districts can cover up to ~8 weeks of total testing time for cohorts, make-ups, and retakes. Communicate dates to parents early and note BYOD checklists in reminders.

For retakes, a structured cadence works best:

  • Week 0: Baseline timed test

  • Weeks 1–3: Targeted drills on weak areas

  • Week 4: First official attempt

  • Weeks 5–8: Focused review and timed practice

  • Week 9: Second attempt

  • Optional Week 13+: Third attempt if needed


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ACT online testing with BYOD isn’t just a format change it’s an operational shift. Schools and tutors that plan ahead will benefit from fewer disruptions and better-prepared students. The keys are clear timing communication, early device readiness checks, and practice that matches the new section times. When these elements are in place, educators can make the most of each testing window, keep students confident, and maximize performance across multiple attempts.

ACT online testing with BYOD isn’t just a format change it’s an operational shift. Schools and tutors that plan ahead will benefit from fewer disruptions and better-prepared students. The keys are clear timing communication, early device readiness checks, and practice that matches the new section times. When these elements are in place, educators can make the most of each testing window, keep students confident, and maximize performance across multiple attempts.

ACT online testing with BYOD isn’t just a format change it’s an operational shift. Schools and tutors that plan ahead will benefit from fewer disruptions and better-prepared students. The keys are clear timing communication, early device readiness checks, and practice that matches the new section times. When these elements are in place, educators can make the most of each testing window, keep students confident, and maximize performance across multiple attempts.

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VEGA is the Virtual Entity for Guidance and Assistance specifically designed AI agents to guide and assist you in any task that you perform.

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