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 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.
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).
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.
"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:
| Type of Test Taker | ACT Version |
| US student on national ACT test date | Paper only |
| US student on school testing day | Varies depending on state/district |
| International student (outside US) | Computer only (since September 2018) |
Now then, what exactly does the online ACT test look like? Let's take a look.
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:
Here’s what each of these tools looks like in action:
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.
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.
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!
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!
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