ACT Retake Policy 2025: Limits, Costs & Score Reporting Rules
Navigating ACT retake policies can feel like decoding a secret language, but understanding the rules is crucial for strategic test-taking. With rising competition in college admissions, knowing your retake options can make the difference between an average score and an outstanding one. This guide covers everything from official ACT limits and costs to how colleges interpret multiple attempts, plus hidden strategies like superscoring that most test-takers never discover. Whether you're on your first attempt or considering a third, you'll learn how to maximize your results while minimizing costs and time investment.
Official ACT Retake Limits: No Lifetime Cap But Annual Restrictions
The ACT allows up to 12 lifetime test attempts with no annual cap, but only 7 can be standard Saturday tests—the rest must be special administrations. This means strategic planning is essential. For example, a student testing in September, October, and December uses 3 of their 7 standard attempts. The key is spacing attempts to maximize improvement while avoiding burnout. Unlike common myths, there's no lifetime cap preventing additional attempts, but exceeding 12 requires special permission that's rarely granted. Always check current policies at ACT.org as guidelines can change.
ACT Retake Costs: $181 Per Attempt Plus Hidden Expenses
Each ACT attempt costs $68 without writing or $93 with writing, but hidden expenses add up quickly. Late registration adds $38, test center changes cost $40, and prep materials average $50 per attempt. Travel to test centers can add $25-$75 per test. A student taking 3 attempts might spend over $600 compared to $200 for one attempt. These costs make strategic planning essential—knowing when to stop retaking is as important as knowing when to start.
ACT Score Reporting: How Colleges See Your Multiple Attempts
Over 85% of colleges consider only your highest ACT score, whether from single or multiple attempts. Only 5% consider all scores equally according to a 2024 survey. The key is that ACT allows you to choose which scores to send—so you can report only your best performance. Universities like the University of Michigan explicitly state they consider the highest scores. This means strategic retaking can demonstrate improvement without penalty.
ACT Superscoring: Maximizing Your Best Section Scores
Superscoring combines your best section scores across different test dates. For example, if you score 28 in Math on one test and 32 in English on another, your superscore becomes 30—higher than either individual composite. This means two moderate scores can outperform one strong score. Over 60% of colleges use this method, and it can raise your composite by 2-4 points. The key is targeting sections where you can improve most on retakes.
Strategic Retake Planning: When to Stop Testing
Diminishing returns typically occur after 2-3 attempts. Data shows only 15% of students improve significantly beyond a third attempt, while the average gain between first and second attempts is 1-2 points. Beyond that, each attempt yields less than 0.5 points improvement. Financially, the cost of additional attempts often outweighs the benefits unless you're within 1-2 points of a critical threshold like a scholarship cutoff.
FAQ
How much does it cost to retake the ACT three times including prep materials?
Three ACT attempts including prep materials cost approximately $600-$900. This includes $204 for three tests ($68 each), $150-$300 for prep materials or tutoring, and potential travel costs. In contrast, a single attempt costs around $200-$300. The key is budgeting for multiple attempts from the start.
Do multiple ACT attempts negatively impact college admission chances?
No, when handled strategically. Over 85% of colleges consider only your highest score, and those that consider all scores typically view improvement positively. The key is making significant progress between attempts—showing you learn from experience. Only when someone takes 8-10 tests with no improvement might it raise concerns, but even then, it's the lack of progress rather than the number that matters.
Conclusion
Strategic retaking requires balancing cost, time, and potential score improvements. For most students, 2-3 attempts yield the best return if the first attempt was prepared for. Beyond that, focus shifts to strengthening other application areas like essays and extracurriculars rather than test scores alone. Always check current policies at ACT.org, as test availability and policies change annually.