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.
What If You Don’t Have Acceptable Identification?
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 do not have an acceptable photo ID, 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.
The ACT helps determine how prepared you are for college by testing the basic math, reading, writing, and science skills that you learn in high school. Doing well shows that you gained all the skills you'll need for college without attending traditional high school.
The exam can also give you some confidence in your academic strengths and prepare you for taking long exams in college. 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!
