SAT / ACT Prep Online Guides and Tips

The ACT is an important college admissions test that has traditionally been administered on paper. But according to a press release by ACT, Inc., more and more students will soon be able to take the ACT in an online, computer-based format. So can you take the ACT online, or not?

Below, we go over who can (and will soon be able to!) take the ACT test online, what this computer ACT looks like, and the pros and cons of both the computer and paper versions of the ACT.

Can You Take the ACT Online? Overview

Can you take the ACT test online? If what you're talking about is taking the ACT online on your own computer at home, then no, you can't. Nobody can do this! You must always take the ACT at a school or test center.

But if you're talking about taking the ACT online at a school or test center, then the answer is a little more complicated. The vast majority of US students currently take the paper version of the ACT, whereas all students abroad must take the computer version of the ACT. Weird, right?

Let's look at these rules a little more closely.

Taking the ACT Online: International Students

As of September 2018, all students taking the ACT abroad (which includes Canada) can only take the ACT test online at a test center. This is because the traditional paper ACT format is no longer available outside the US. The only way you can take the paper ACT abroad is if you require certain testing accommodations due to a disability.

This new online version of the ACT is known as the ACT Computer-Based Test (ACT CBT).

Taking the ACT Online: Domestic (US) Students

What about domestic students, though? Can you take the ACT test online if you’re based in the US?

While most US students must take the ACT on paper, this is changing. Beginning in December 2023, ACT will be doing a pilot rollout for 5,000 test takers to be able to choose an online version of the ACT test rather than a paper version. ACT plan to expand the offerings for the online choice in 2024.

But why go digital at all? What advantages does it offer ACT, Inc. and test takers?

The point of this transition to an online ACT test is to provide more flexible options and improve accessibility for students who need accommodations.

Here’s what ACT, Inc. says about its transition to digital testing in a May 2023 press release:

"Our world is changing, and ACT must change with it. Our commitment to our mission requires that we meet the changing needs and expectations of students and their families, educators, employers, and employees.

It’s with this in mind that we are taking steps to offer the ACT test online for test takers on national test dates. ACT has been a leader in online testing for years. We’ve been offering the test online for state and district testers since 2016, and for test takers internationally since 2018. We recognize the growing demand for flexible testing options, not only for today's students but for those who support them. We want to give students greater autonomy over their testing experience, which is why our goal is to provide students with choice, flexibility, and accessibility, all while maintaining the high standards for which we are known."

Note that you cannot choose which version of the ACT you want to take. Here are the current rules on who must take the ACT CBT and who must take the paper version:

Now then, what exactly does the online ACT test look like? Let's take a look.

Taking the ACT Test Online: Structure & Tools

The ACT CBT is the same exact test as the paper ACT: they have the same sections, number of questions, time limits, and scoring system. In addition, with the ACT CBT, you'll still get access to a calculator and scratch paper. For more information on the ACT content and structure, check out our guide.

The only real difference between the two test versions is their administration format (paper vs computer).

Here's what a typical question on the ACT CBT looks like:

You’ll get the overall problem or passage on the left and the question (with answer choices) on the right. To select an answer choice, simply click the circle next to it (you can always change this if you change your mind later). The bottom of the screen shows you which question number you are on in that section to help you keep track. As with the paper ACT, you can skip questions and come back to them later.

What’s different about the ACT CBT, however, is that you now have a timer and several helpful tools you can use as you take the test. These tools can be found on the header of the screen:

There are five tools you can choose from:

• A magnifier to zoom in or out on certain parts of the problem or question
• A highlighter to select specific parts of the text or passage
• A line reader to home in on specific lines in the text or passage
• An answer eliminator to cross out clearly incorrect answer choices
• Answer masking to focus on a specific answer choice and eliminate distractions

Here’s what each of these tools looks like in action:

Magnifier

Highlighter

Line Reader

Answer Eliminator

Answer Masking

This is what the online ACT test will look like for you if you end up taking it. Now that we’ve covered what the ACT CBT looks like and who can and must take it, let’s look at the pros and cons of this online version compared with the original paper ACT.

Online ACT vs Paper ACT: Pros and Cons

There are advantages and disadvantages to taking the ACT test online and on paper. Below are the biggest pros and cons of both formats, starting with the ACT CBT.

Pros of Taking the ACT Test Online

• Consistency with online practice tests. The online timed and untimed practice tests offered by ACT use the same user interface as the actual test, giving you a feel for how the test will actually appear when you show up to take it!
  
  
• Improved accessibility functions, including support for screen readers, text-to-speech, zoom, and answer masking, allowing for consistency of delivery to both students who need accommodations and those who don’t.
  
  
• Special digital tools make it easy to keep track of things as you test. With the online ACT, you’ll get access to a highlighter, a magnifier, a line reader, a timer, an answer eliminator (for using the process of elimination), and an answer-masking function.
  
  
• There are (and will be) more test dates available. The international ACT CBT is offered up to six times per testing window every year, providing students with more flexibility in terms of test-taking options. This will likely be true in the United States as well if the ACT decides to make the CBT more widely available here.  

• You don’t have to worry about erasing things or making permanent marks. Just click on a different answer choice or backspace a word in your essay. It’s that easy!

Cons of Taking the ACT Test Online

• The online format can take some getting used to. The majority of tests you take in high school are given on paper, so if you’re not used to computer tests, then it might take you a few tries before you truly feel at ease and can strategize more effectively.

• Typing out your essay can take longer if you’re not a fast typist. If you’re planning to take the ACT with the Writing section, be aware that you’ll need to type out your whole essay instead of writing it by hand.

Pros of Taking the Paper ACT

• Your high school exams have prepared you for the paper format. More than likely, the vast majority, if not all, of your high school tests were given to you in the traditional paper format; therefore, taking the paper ACT means you don’t have to prep for a new format you’re not used to.

• There are way more practice tests and materials geared toward the paper ACT. Besides the six official practice test PDFs you can download for free, most test-prep companies and ACT prep books offer practice tests in a paper format.

• Some students prefer to write directly in their test booklets to circle things, highlight sentences, etc. While the tools in the ACT CBT allow you to do things like highlight passages and cross out incorrect answer choices, you might find it easier and less time-consuming to do all these things with a pencil rather than having to click back and forth to toggle a specific tool you want to use.

Cons of Taking the Paper ACT

• Fewer test slots are available. As of this year, there are only 5,000 slots available to take the online ACT, meaning it may not be available in your market if you wait to long to register.

• It can be harder to keep track of timing. Not all school districts will provide you with an exact clock you can refer to throughout the test (as the ACT CBT does), which can make it difficult to figure out how you should organize your time.

• You have to write out your entire essay by hand. Some students might prefer this over typing it, but if you’re concerned about getting hand cramps or having to erase and cross out words, then the ACT Writing section might pose a bit of a problem for you.

Recap: Can You Take the ACT Online?

So can you take the ACT test online? Yes, but only if you are a student in the US who is able to sign up for one of the 5,000 online testing slots or you are taking the test abroad, since the ACT Computer-Based Test (ACT CBT) is the only version of the ACT administered outside the US, as of September 2018.

At present, the ACT CBT is not administered on any national ACT test dates in the US—just in certain states and districts on school-testing days. There are plans for CBT testing to be available in the US, but they have been delayed due to COVID-19. As of now, there's no news about when, or if, the ACT CBT will be available in the U.S. beyond school days testing. 

The only difference between the online ACT test and paper ACT is how they are administered; both exams have the same content, timing, question types, structure, and scoring.

In terms of which version of the ACT is better, both have their pros and cons. For example, while the ACT CBT offers more test dates and handy tools you can use while taking the exam, the paper ACT is more familiar to students and has far more practice materials available for it.

Ultimately, it seems likely that ACT, Inc. will completely get rid of the paper ACT and only use it in situations that require it, such as when somebody cannot use a computer due to a disability.

Until then, though, you’ll need to be prepared for the possibility of taking either version of the ACT if you’re in the US!

What’s Next?

Getting ready to take the ACT? Then check out our step-by-step guide to ACT registration and learn about critical ACT registration and test dates here.

Aiming for a high score on the ACT? Our expert guide on how to get a perfect 36 is exactly what you need. In it, we give you our best tips and tricks for acing this notorious test—and the best part is, they all come from a real full scorer!

Need some high-quality study resources for your ACT prep? Get started with our free ultimate ACT guide, which contains links to our most helpful ACT articles.