Can you take the ACT online? The answer used to be a resounding "no" but, in Fall 2023, the CEO of the ACT made the surprise announcement that they'd begin offering a digital ACT as a pilot program beginning in December 2023. Since then, access to the digital ACT has expanded, and students in the US now have the opportunity to choose between the paper ACT and the online ACT.
How does the online ACT work? How is it different than the paper ACT? Can you take the ACT at home on your laptop? What do you need to do to prepare? We'll answer all those questions in this guide!
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.
However, in December 2023, the ACT began a pilot test of a new digital ACT. In the spring of 2024, this expanded so that more students in the US can choose between the digital and paper versions of the ACT. (Note: all students abroad must take the computer version of the ACT.) Technically, all students in the US have the option to take the online ACT; however, the number of test centers that offer the online ACTi s still limited, so you may not be able to find a test center close to you. Access will continue to expand, though.
Let's look at the online ACT 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 online version of the ACT is known as the ACT Computer-Based Test (ACT CBT).
Taking the ACT Online: Domestic (US) Students
Beginning in December 2023, ACT began a pilot rollout for 5,000 test takers to take an online version of the ACT test rather than a paper version. ACT then expanded the offerings for the online choice in 2024.
Now, anyone in the US can choose between the paper and online versions of the ACT. If you select “Computer” during your ACT registration, you'll be able to see test centers that offer the online ACT test. These centers will provide the devices for you to test with; you can't take the ACT on your own laptop or other electronic device.
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."
Now then, what exactly does the online ACT test look like? Let's take a look.
Taking the ACT Test Online: Structure & Tools
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
2024-2025 ACT Exam Changes
Currently, the ACT Computer-Based Test (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).
However, in July 2024, the CEO of the ACT announced that students can expect major ACT changes beginning in spring 2025. First, more locations will offer the online ACT so more students will be able to take it. Other changes include:
- The ACT Science section will be optional for all students
- Experimental questions, which do not count toward students’ scores, will be sprinkled in throughout each test section
- The entire test will take just over 2 hours to complete instead of 3 hours
These changes will first impact the digital ACT, beginning in Spring 2025. There's no official word on when these changes will be made to the paper ACT, but our best estimate is that it'll be sometime around Fall 2025. So, for at least a few months, the two versions of the ACT will have different lengths and question types, and this may impact which version of the test you decide to take.
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 when the CBT becomes more widespread in the US beginning in Spring 2025.
- 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.
- You may need to travel farther to find a test center. ACT Inc. is working on expanding access to the online ACT, but, for many students, there are currently no test centers near them that offer the online ACT, so they'd need to travel farther, sometimes over 60 miles one way, if they want to take it.
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
- 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.
- If you choose to take ACT Writing, 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, although in the US, testing centers for the ACT Computer-Based Test (ACT CBT) are currently limited. Locations are expected to expand beginning in Spring 2025. Currently, the online ACT is the only version of the ACT administered outside the US, as of September 2018.
To take the ACT online, you have to take it at a testing center, on one of their computers. You can't take the ACT at home or on your own laptop or other electronic device.
Currently, 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. However, beginning in Spring 2025, changes will be made to the ACT that include reducing the number of questions on the exam, making the Science section optional, and reducing the time the test taking from 3 hours to just over 2 hours. These changes will be made first to the digital ACT and later to the paper ACT, so there will be a period when the format and length of the two version will vary. This may impact which version of the test you choose to take.
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.
