The ACT International Computer-Based Test FAQs for Students, Parents, and Counselors - Updated May 2021

Sep 22, 2026

This FAQ explains how the ACT International computer-based test works for students, parents, and counselors. It clarifies that international test takers cannot choose a paper version and describes timed and untimed practice tests in the computer format. It confirms scores are comparable to paper using the same 1–36 scale, discusses administration differences as format-only, and covers test dates, comparability studies, equating methods, and university reporting.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages4

Reading Time10 min

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FAQ

Test format and practice

Scheduling and availability

Score comparability and reporting

Test structure

Accessibility and accommodations

The ACT® International Computer-Based Test FAQs for Students, Parents, and Counselors Q1: Is there an option to take the paper version of the ACT? A: No. The computer-based ACT test will be the only option for students outside the US—including Canada—who test on an international ACT test day. Q2: Many students are worried they will not get a good score on the computer-based test because they have not taken one before. Will ACT provide practice opportunities that will simulate the test? How should students practice for the computer-based ACT test? A: ACT released timed and untimed practice tests in the computer-based format so that international students can have some experience taking a computer-based test. Click here to try the practice tests. It is very important to note that the only difference between the computer-based ACT and the paper version is the administration format. As a result, test preparation materials such as The Official ACT Prep Guide, ACT® Online Prep, Preparing for the ACT, and officially licensed preparation programs—like the ACT Student Journey—offered by official ACT partners will continue to provide students with exceptional information and practice that will help them prepare for the ACT regardless of whether they take it via computer or paper. Q3: Is ACT looking to reduce the number of test dates? A: No. In certain cases, capacity demands that we host only one session per day per test window. The registration system will show you which sessions are available at the time you register for the ACT test. ACT is committed to helping international students reach their education goals by offering the ACT test in as many countries on as many dates as we can. Q4: Will the computer-based test user internationally be comparable to the paper forms used in the US? How will universities compare them? A: The only difference between the computer-based ACT and the paper version will be the administration format. Scores will mean the same thing and will continue to use the familiar 1– 36 scale. University-reportable scores will be provided to post-secondary institutions and admissions counselors in the same manner that they are today. The ACT test has been administered via computer in the US since 2015. To gather information about the differences between computer-based and paper testing and to learn about potential administration issues, ACT conducted comparability studies in 2014 and 2015 in operational testing environments where participating students received university-reportable scores. Equating methodology was used for all four multiple-choice tests to adjust for any differences in scores across test formats so the studies were comparable to those from examinees taking the ACT on paper. 1 Updated May 2021 Q5: Will the results of the computer-based test have the same value to universities? How will they compare results with paper testing? A: Scores on the computer-based version of the ACT will mean the same as those on the paper version, and universities will treat them the same. ACT has already shown the comparability of scores from tests taken via computer and paper testing to our university partners , beginning in 2015. Test scores are on the familiar 1–36 scale that universities use today when considering candidates for admission. Q6: How many tests will there be in the computer-based ACT, and how many questions are in each test? A: This will be exactly the same as the paper version. There are four subject matter tests: English (75 questions), mathematics (60 questions), reading (40 questions), and science (40 questions) and an optional writing test (1 writing prompt) . Q7: How will accommodations work in this computer-based format? A: ACT is committed to providing a high-quality assessment that provides a level playing field and fair testing experience for all students, including those with disabilities. As a result, ACT provides accommodations to students who qualify.

FAQs

Can international students take the ACT paper version instead of computer-based testing?

No. For students outside the US (including Canada) the computer-based ACT is the only option on international test days.

Are computer-based ACT scores comparable to paper-based ACT scores for universities?

Yes. The only difference is the administration format. Scores use the same 1–36 scale and universities will treat and report them in the same way.

How do accommodations work for students who need extended time internationally?

Students can access accessibility features via the computer-based test, and eligible students may use timing code 6 for one-and-one-half extended time in a single session. If students require extended time beyond what is available on computer-based testing, they may take the ACT via paper administration.

Sep 22, 2026

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