ACT International Testing Registration: Delays and New Info

The ACT, Inc. is adding some stress for international students. The ACT, Inc. had promised July registration for its inaugural Computer Based ACT in September, but now is notifying students that Registration will begin by August 1. Registration may begin in July, but the ACT, Inc. is making no promises. Adding uncertainty into the equation increases stress for international students.

Students all over the globe are prepping for the ACT, but they do not know which test centers will make the migration to Computer Based Testing, or which will have seats available for them in September. Many of our international students need to travel great distances to take the ACT, and some will need to secure flights and hotels. The shorter the window students have to find an available testing center and plan travel, the more stress they will feel.

Helpful Docs

ACT, Inc. has posted several helpful documents outlining policies and procedures for international test centers and students.

This document spells out many questions and answers about the logistics of the migration to digital testing. A few notes of interest:

• The internet connectivity will not be a factor for the administration of the Computer Based Tests as everything will be downloaded before the start of the test and will run on a hard-wired local network.
• Computers and Tablets used for the ACT administration must be owned and administered by the schools or testing sites.
• The tests will be administered using a locked-down browser.
• Students will not be able to sign up for the afternoon testing sessions until the morning sessions are full. (“If you chose an afternoon session, the morning session must fill before students will be able to select afternoon testing”)

The ACT, Inc. has posted another helpful web page for students here.

Students can click a link to access a full test of practice problems, different practice than is offered on the Test Nav site. Students need to familiarize themselves with the features of digital testing, and practice is essential.

Students can also download a fact sheet about CBT which answers the most common questions.

Students now have two full computer based practice tests to help them prepare for the September administrations. This is a start, and in time students should have more practice to work from.

Students should certainly feel less in the dark about what’s coming in September, but until they know where and when they will be taking the first digital tests, and if they can secure a spot at a convenient testing center, there will be some anxiety in the mix.