You might be twenty-two, thirty-five, or even fifty. It doesn’t matter. Most people think the ACT is some weird ritual reserved solely for sweating teenagers in high school cafeterias. Honestly, that’s just not true. If you’re wondering can you take the ACT after high school, the answer is a resounding yes. The ACT Corporation doesn’t have an age limit. They want your registration fee just as much as they want a seventeen-year-old’s.
Maybe you took a gap year that turned into five years. Perhaps you’re a veteran transitioning to civilian life and that dream engineering program requires a standardized score. Or maybe you just bombed it in 2018 and want a redo. Whatever the reason, the door is wide open. But taking the test as an adult is a completely different beast than taking it as a senior in high school. You don't have a guidance counselor nagging you about deadlines anymore. You're the pilot now.
The Logistics of Taking the ACT as an Adult
Registering is basically the same process, but with a few "adult" hurdles. You’ll head over to the official ACT website and create a MyACT account. Since you aren't in high school, you’ll select the "Non-High School Graduate" or "Left High School" options.
Here is where it gets a bit annoying: the ID requirements. When you're a kid, a school ID works fine. As an adult, you need a current, valid government-issued photo ID. Think driver’s license or passport. If your license is expired, they will turn you away at the door. No jokes. I've seen people lose their registration fee because their ID expired two days prior.
You also need to think about the "High School Code." If you want your scores sent to your old school (unlikely) or just need to fill the field, there’s a specific code for individuals not currently enrolled in high school: 969-999. Using this ensures the system doesn't try to link you to a graduation class you’ve already left behind.
Finding a Testing Center
This is the part that feels the most awkward. You will likely be the only person in the room who can legally buy a beer. You’ll be sitting in a desk designed for a teenager, probably in a local high school or a community college. Most testing happens on Saturdays.
✨ Don't miss: What Is a Submissive Female? Let’s Clear Up the Misconceptions Once and for All
Check the dates early. National test dates usually fall in September, October, December, February, April, June, and July. If you live in a rural area, these seats fill up fast because every kid in a fifty-mile radius is trying to get into the same room.
Why Bother Taking the ACT After High School?
Why put yourself through four hours of grammar, trigonometry, and science data? It’s a fair question. Most non-traditional students do it for one of three reasons.
First, College Admissions. While many schools are now "test-optional," that doesn't mean "test-blind." If you’re applying to a competitive program at a school like Georgia Tech or a specialized nursing track, a high ACT score can offset a mediocre high school GPA from a decade ago. It proves you have the "academic chops" right now.
Second, Scholarships. This is the big one. Many merit-based scholarships are tied strictly to test scores. Even if the college says you don't need the ACT for admission, they might require it if you want that $5,000-a-year grant. For an adult learner, that's the difference between taking out a loan or paying cash.
Third, State Licensing or Employment. Surprisingly, some specific career fields—especially in tutoring, test prep, or certain niche government roles—occasionally ask for standardized test scores as a benchmark for general proficiency.
The "Adult Advantage" and the "Adult Struggle"
You actually have an advantage over the teenagers. You have a developed prefrontal cortex. You’re better at time management and probably less likely to panic because your "crush" is sitting three rows away.
However, you’ve likely forgotten how to do long division by hand. Or what a "matrix" is in math. Or how to identify a dangling modifier. High schoolers are in "test mode" eight hours a day. You are likely in "work mode" or "parent mode."
Relearning the Science section is usually the biggest shock. The ACT Science section isn't actually about biology or chemistry; it’s a reading comprehension test using charts and graphs. As an adult, you might overthink it. You'll try to use your real-world knowledge instead of just looking at what "Figure 1" says. Don't do that. Stick to the data on the page.
✨ Don't miss: Village Ice Cream Parlour: Why the Local Scoop Shop is Actually Winning
Preparation Strategies for Non-Traditional Students
If you’re serious about taking the ACT after high school, you cannot just wing it. Your brain isn't as "pliable" for rote memorization as it was at seventeen.
- Take a diagnostic test immediately. Download a free PDF of an old ACT. Sit at your kitchen table. Set a timer. See where you land. You might find your English score is still a 30, but your Math is a 14.
- Focus on the "Big Hits." Don't waste time learning obscure geometry theorems that show up once every three years. Master the basics of algebra and punctuation rules.
- Use Official Materials. Avoid the cheap "knock-off" books from random publishers. The Official ACT Prep Guide is the only one that uses retired questions from actual exams. Everything else is just an imitation.
You also have to manage your stamina. The test is long. It’s a marathon. If you haven't sat still for four hours in a decade, your back is going to hurt, and your focus will wander. Practice sitting still. It sounds silly, but it’s a skill.
Dealing with the "Awkward" Factor
Let’s be real. Walking into a high school at age 26 to take a test feels weird. You’ll be surrounded by nervous seventeen-year-olds and their overbearing parents.
Pro tip: Wear comfortable, non-descript clothing. Bring a silent, non-smart watch. You aren't there to make friends or fit in; you're there to execute a business transaction. You're buying a score. The proctors usually don't care how old you are as long as you follow the rules and don't have a phone in your pocket.
Financial Aid and the ACT
If you are a low-income adult learner, you might still qualify for a fee waiver. Usually, these are distributed through high schools, but you can contact ACT directly or work through a local community college's financial aid office to see if you're eligible. The test is expensive—roughly $68 for the basic version and over $90 if you include the writing portion. Don't pay for the writing portion unless your specific college explicitly demands it. Most don't anymore.
What Happens if You Fail?
Nothing. That’s the beauty of being an adult. If you tank the test, you don't have to show anyone. You don't have a transcript that it automatically gets attached to in the same way. You can choose which scores to send to colleges. If you take it in April and hate your score, you can study and take it again in June. The ACT allows you to take the test up to 12 times. Though, honestly, if you take it 12 times, you might want to rethink your strategy.
Actionable Steps for Post-HS ACT Success
Don't just think about it. If you need this score for your future, move.
- Verify the Deadline: Check the application deadline for your target college. You need your scores back at least a month before that date. ACT results usually take 2-8 weeks to process.
- Book the Seat: Go to the ACT website today. Seats for "Adult" friendly locations (like colleges) go fast.
- Audit Your Math: Go to Khan Academy. It's free. Refresh yourself on Algebra I, II, and basic Geometry. This is where most adults lose the most points.
- Gather Your Gear: Buy a TI-84 calculator (or check the ACT's "Permitted Calculators" list). Ensure you have a physical ID that isn't expired.
- The Day Of: Eat a high-protein breakfast. Bring a snack for the break. You'll be surprised how much energy your brain consumes during the Science and Math sections.
Taking the ACT after high school isn't a sign that you "missed the boat." It’s a sign that you’re steering the boat now. Whether you're 19 or 49, the test is exactly the same. The only difference is the person holding the pencil.
Final Note on Accommodations: If you have a documented disability or a learning difference (like ADHD or dyslexia) that was diagnosed recently or in the past, you can apply for "Extended Time." As an adult, you’ll need to provide professional documentation from a doctor or psychologist. It’s a bit of a paperwork nightmare, but if you need the extra time, start that process at least two months before your intended test date.