Have you taken the ACT or will you be taking it in the future? If so, you may have heard of ACT college and school codes.
These codes are used to ensure that your ACT scores get sent to the proper school. Read on to learn everything you need to know about them.
What Are ACT College and School Codes?
ACT college codes are four-digit codes used to differentiate between different schools. Each college and university in the United States has its own unique ACT code. ACT, Inc., the company that creates and distributes the ACT, uses these codes as a way to reduce miscommunication and ensure that student ACT scores are sent to the correct schools.
What Are ACT College and School Codes Used For?
ACT college codes are used by ACT, Inc. to make sending official ACT score reports to universities easier and more accurate. When you register for the ACT, you have the option of sending your official scores to up to 4 colleges for free.
Sending your ACT scores to a school lets them know you are interested in them. If you decide to apply to a school you sent your ACT scores to, those scores can be used as part of your application. The ACT school codes make it simple for you to choose which schools you’d like your scores to be sent to and minimizes the possibility of confusion there might be if you wrote or typed out school names.
For example, if you wrote “Texas University” as one of the schools you’d like your scores to be sent to, ACT, Inc. wouldn’t know if you wanted your score sent to University of Texas at Austin, Texas A&M University, or a different school entirely. ACT college codes help prevent this type of confusion.
If you are sending SAT scores to schools, be aware that you cannot use ACT codes to do this. The SAT has its own list of college codes.
ACT codes help reduce confusion when you choose which schools to send your scores to
Where Can You Find ACT College and School Codes?
While registering online for the ACT, there will be a section for you to enter up to 4 different school codes. When registering, you can search by code number if you already know the ones you need, or you can search for the names of the schools you’d like your scores to be sent to, and when you select them their school code will be automatically filled in on the registration form (see the screenshot below).
If you’d like to look at the school codes before registering for the ACT or send your scores to more schools after taking the test, you can also search for ACT school codes and see the complete list of codes.
If you’d like to send your scores to more schools after you receive your ACT scores, you can do so by calling, mailing, or submitting a request online. You do not need to have any codes memorized on the day of the ACT. That's one less thing to worry about!
Note that while you can send your ACT scores to up to four schools when you register for the test, after those four schools there is a charge (usually $12) for each additional school you choose to send your scores to.
Summary
- ACT college and school codes are used to make sending your score reports to colleges easier and less confusing.
- ACT, Inc. has assigned each college and university in the United States a unique four-digit code.
- You will pick up to four schools you'd like your scores to be sent to when you register for the ACT, and you can also send additional score reports after you take the test.
- If you also want to send SAT scores to schools, you'll need to use a different set of codes.
What's Next?
Trying to get a high ACT score? Of course you are! We have a list of 21 tips to help you raise your ACT score!
Wondering how you should study for the ACT? We've compiled a list of the best ACT prep websites that you should be using.
What other information is important to know before taking the ACT? Check out our guide on the ACT rules you need to know before taking the exam.
