How do homeschooled students register for the ACT, and what is the ACT homeschool code? What important considerations should you keep in mind? Find out here.
How to Register as a Home Schooled Student
If you are a home schooled student, you register for the ACT the same as everyone else, either by paper or online. The only thing that will be different will be when you fill in your ACT high school code.
For home schoolers in the United States, it is a universal number: 969-999
Generally, everything else will be the same, though there is a procedure to follow in case you have problems finding an acceptable ID. I bring this up in particular because most students can use their school photo ID, but as a home schooled student that won’t be an option for you.
On test day, you are required to bring an acceptable photo ID and your printed ACT admission or standby ticket with your photo printed on it.
If you don’t have acceptable identification
If you do not have an acceptable photo ID then there are options you can take. An acceptable photo ID means anything government or school issued that contains a recent photo of you. If the photo isn’t recent, then it is not acceptable. For example, if you use your passport and your photo is from when you were 10, then it’s possible that your ID will be rejected and you will not be able to sit for the test. A school ID that is printed from a webpage rather than a hard plastic card will likewise be unacceptable.
If this is the case, then you MUST bring the ACT Student Identification Letter with a current photo attached. It needs to be filled out by a school official or notary public. Make sure they're not related to you or the letter will be disqualified.
Download the ACT Student Identification Letter Here.
ACT Talent Search Identification Letter
If you are part of an academic talent search program and didn’t have to submit a photo with your registration you need to bring your ACT Talent Search Identification Letter on test day. If you are part of an academic talent search program and had to submit a photo when you registered, you need to bring a current official photo ID or an ACT Student Identification Letter with Photo.
What are the advantages of taking the ACT for home schoolers?
The ACT test validates your schooling to colleges, especially if you do better than average. It shows them that you know as much as any private or public school student who scored in that range. Moreover, if you score above average for your area, it sets you apart and shows colleges that you might be a good candidate.
It helps you find out how truly prepared you are for college because of the basic concepts tested by the ACT. They test basic math, reading, writing, and science knowledge that will be relevant for completing high school. How well you do may indicate how well you have grasped the basics that you were taught in your equivalent high school years.
It can give you some confidence in your academic strengths if you feel unprepared for college as a home schooler. Know that as a home schooler, you will likely do better on the ACT than the average of your local public high school students. When you get your results back, you’ll believe it.
It prepares you for taking long exams in college and gives you a taste of high pressure testing. College exams are no easy thing, and becoming familiar with how to take long and challenging exams is an important skill to acquire.
What's Next?
Take a look at How to sign up for the ACT if you need a guide for the registration process.
Check out Celebrity ACT Scores for some quirky facts or How to Get a Perfect ACT Score by a 36 Full Scorer for some more serious advice!
Need to know how many times you can take the ACT? We've got you covered! Or check out our Full List of Colleges that Require ACT Writing or find out What's Actualy Tested on the ACT Math section!
Want to improve your ACT score by 4+ points? Download our free guide to the top 5 strategies you need in your prep to improve your ACT score dramatically.
Anna graduated from MIT where she honed her research interests in Earth Science and Social/Political Science. She has years of tutoring experience, loves watching students learn and grow, and strongly believes that education is the cornerstone of our society. She is passionate about science, books, and non-profit work.
Holly R.