2026 ACT & PreACT Information

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This communication contains the general testing schedule and test preparation resources. Further details, including test day logistics, will be shared as the testing days approach.

Click this link for details on the Illinois State Board of Education guidance for state assessments and associated administration test dates/windows.

The state of Illinois requires that the state accountability test is administered digitally, unless a students has an an accommodation that specifies paper-based testing.

As you review ACT and PreACT resources, you may see that the ACT organization considers the Science (ACT and PreACTs) and Writing (ACT only) sections of the exam optional. The Illinois State Board of Education does NOT consider these sections optional. Since the April testing event is state-mandated, students are required to participate in all sections of the ACT or PreACT. The PreACT exams taken by 9th and 10th graders contain English, Math, Reading, and Science sections. The ACT exam taken by 11th graders contains those same sections, as well as a Writing section. The ACT Science section replaces the Illinois Science Assessment (ISA) that was previously mandatory for 11th grade students. All sections of the ACT and PreACT are mandatory for Illinois State accountability.

Tuesday, April 7, 2026

• All multi-day testers of any grade level will begin their relevant grade level exam. (Note: This applies only to students who have an approved multi-day testing accommodation; more details on how this will work will come from your school's testing coordinator closer to the test dates.)

• All 10th-grade students will take the PreACT Secure.

• All 11th-grade students and some identified 12th-grade students will take the ACT with Writing.

• 9th graders who are not multi-day testers and 12th graders will not be in attendance. Students will not be given asynchronous activities to complete but can use the day to catch up on other work they may have. This day will NOT count as an absence for students who are not expected to be on campus.

Wednesday, April 8, 2026

• All multi-day testers of any grade level will continue their relevant grade level exam. (Note: This applies only to students who have an approved multi-day testing accommodation; more details on how this will work will come from your school's testing coordinator closer to the test dates.)

• All 9th-grade students will take the PreACT 9 Secure.

• 10th, 11th, and 12th graders who are not multi-day testers will not be in attendance. Students will not be given asynchronous activities to complete but can use the day to catch up on other work they may have. This day will NOT count as an absence for students who are not expected to be on campus.

The table below outlines the schedule.

Monday, April 6; Thursday, April 9; and Friday, April 10 will be regular days of school for all grade levels. Students who are not present in school on their scheduled testing day will be scheduled for a make-up.