Retaking the ACT - How Often?

How often can you take the ACT? Is there a limit to how many times you can retake the test?

You can retake the ACT up to twelve times. However, there are some practical considerations to keep in mind when deciding to retake the ACT many, many times.

First, the ACT is administered seven times a year, so you can potentially take it multiple times throughout your junior and senior years of high school. We generally recommend that students plan to take the ACT 2-3 times. Most students see score improvements after at least one retake, but improvements tend to plateau after the third attempt.

Moreover, taking the ACT multiple times can be expensive and time-consuming, as each registration costs money and you'll need to dedicate time for preparation and test-taking. It's important to balance your ACT efforts with your academic work, extracurricular activities, and college applications.

Lastly, colleges typically consider your highest ACT score, but some may look at all your scores, especially if you've taken the test a large number of times. This won't necessarily hurt your chances, but colleges might question your time management and decision-making skills if you've taken the exam too many times without significant improvement.

In summary, there is no official limit on how many times you can take the ACT, but it's advisable to plan and prepare strategically so you can achieve your desired scores within 2-3 attempts. Focus on substantial, targeted preparation between test dates to make each attempt as effective as possible.