Why Consider Online Testing for PreACT Online and Paper-Pencil Assessments - Plan Your 2026-27 Administration

Oct 9, 2026

Uploaded by dabgoudw

Explains why districts and educators may choose online administration for PreACT Online or PreACT assessments rather than paper-pencil testing. Highlights student familiarity with the computer-based platform used for ACT testing, simpler educator implementation, reduced time spent on paper orders and logistics, and more sustainable electronic record keeping. Includes an online vs paper-pencil comparison for the 2026-27 enrollment timeline and testing window, plus a section on updates aligned to Enhanced ACT blueprints, composite scoring, and science optionality by contract.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages2

Reading Time5 min

AccessFree to download

Why Consider Online Testing?

Familiarity for Students

Ease of Implementation for Educators

Online vs Paper-Pencil Comparison

Enrollment and Administration Timeline (2026-27)

Reports and Testing Details

Will PreACT Assessments Be Updated to Reflect the ACT Enhancements?

PreACT Online or Paper-Pencil Assessments: You Choose PreACT® 8/9 and PreACT® offer online administrations and are aligning to enhancements to the ACT test. Find out what’s right for you. ACT has offered the choice of online or paper-pencil formats for ACT School Day and District Testing programs to high school juniors and seniors since 2015. We understand the value of aligning familiar testing experiences to younger students and extending the choice of administration methods to educators. Why Consider Online Testing? Familiarity for Students Ease of Implementation for Educators • PreACT online administration gives students a streamlined experience on the same platform as the computer-based ACT test used by ACT State and District Testing. • 50% of schools who offer ACT school day testing choose the online administration. We see a trend of more schools choosing online each year. • PreACT online saves time by removing orders and returns of paper materials – reducing reliance on shipping, handling, and storage. • For record keeping-an electronic copy of the answer booklet will be provided which is a more sustainable and shareable record of achievement. • For administration – we are aligning paper-pencil and online testing in a single administrative platform so educators can easily decide which mode is right for each student. Online vs Paper-Pencil Comparison Use the comparison below to assess your PreACT needs and make a plan for next year. PreACT 8/9 & PreACT Online PreACT 8/9 & PreACT Paper-Pencil | Enrolling for 2026-27 | Enrollment opens in February 2026 with a single form for all PreACT Assessments | Enrollment opens in February 2026 with a single form for all PreACT Assessments | | --- | --- | --- | | Administration | ACT Now and | ACT Now and | | Platforms | Test Center Manager (TCM) | Test Center Manager (TCM) | | Test Timing | 130 min PreACT 8/9 | 130 min PreACT 8/9 | | (Spring 2026) | 130 min PreACT | 130 min PreACT | | Test Timing (Fall 2026) | 130 min PreACT 8/9
160 min PreACT (new blueprint Fall 2026) | 130 min PreACT 8/9
160 min PreACT (new blueprint Fall 2026) | | Interest
Inventory | Available in PreACT and PreACT 8/9 (optional for students to complete) | Available in PreACT and PreACT 8/9 (optional for students to complete) | | Reports | Online in ACT Online Reporting +2 printed individual student reports (ISR) sent to the school | Online in ACT Online Reporting +2 printed individual student reports (ISR) sent to the school | | ACT Recruit Me Opt In | Yes | Yes | | Test Booklets Retained | Yes | Yes-hard copy | | Testing Window | September 1, 2026-May 28, 2027 | September 1, 2026-May 28, 2027 | * Dates and testing modality may vary depending on your state-supported contract. Will PreACT Assessments Be Updated to Reflect the ACT Enhancements? PreACT Assessments are aligning to the Enhanced ACT, with new blueprints, composite scores, and science optionality atthe contract level. The changes will launch according to the timeline below: • PreACT 9 Secure and PreACT Secure—online tests for higher-stakes uses like accountability and dual enrollment—will launch new blueprints in spring 2026. It will use the new Composite score (calculated with English, math, reading) and offer science optionality at the contract level. • The PreACT—available in both paper and online formats for ACT prep and career navigation—will launch new blueprints in fall 2026. It will also use the new Composite score (calculated with English, math, reading) and offer science optionality at the contract level. • The PreACT 8/9 new blueprint rollout will be announced soon. However, starting in fall 2026 it will also use the new Composite score (calculated with English, math, reading) and offer science optionality at the contract level. Connect with our experts to make a plan for PreACT Assessments [at](at act.org/preact)[ act.org/preact](at act.org/preact). © 2026 by ACT Education Corp. All r

FAQs

What are the main reasons to consider online testing for PreACT?

Online testing provides a streamlined student experience on the same platform as the computer-based ACT test. It also reduces educator workload by removing paper orders and logistics and enables easier electronic record keeping.

How do online and paper-pencil formats differ in the 2026-27 administration plan?

The document compares enrollment timing, administration platforms, test duration, report delivery, and whether test booklets are retained as hard copy. Online includes ACT Online Reporting plus additional printed individual student reports (ISR) sent to the school.

Will PreACT assessments be updated to reflect ACT enhancements, and when?

Yes. PreACT 9 Secure and PreACT Secure align to new blueprints in spring 2026, using updated composite scoring and science optionality at the contract level. PreACT blueprint updates launch in fall 2026, with the PreACT 8/9 new blueprint rollout announced soon and also moving to the new composite scoring and science optionality starting in fall 2026.

Oct 9, 2026

Uploaded by dabgoudw