The Digital ACT: Everything You Need to Know

This guide covers everything you need to know before you register, from how the digital ACT format works to what tools are available on test day.

For a deeper look at how the content of the ACT is evolving alongside the digital format (including a shorter test with fewer questions), see our guide to the Enhanced ACT.

The digital ACT is the same test as the paper version, but delivered on a computer at a test center, part of a broader move toward online testing that mirrors the digital transition seen with the College Board's Digital SAT. It covers the same three sections that make up the ACT composite score (English, Math, and Reading), with the Science section and Writing available as optional additions. The same 1–36 composite scoring scale applies to your ACT score, and the test is accepted by every college and university in the United States for college admissions. The only difference is the format: you read and answer questions on a screen instead of a test booklet.

The online ACT is also the only format available to students outside the United States.

Both formats test the same content and produce scores that are equally valid with colleges. The choice comes down to which experience suits you best.

The digital format tends to be a strong fit for students who:

• Already use computers for most of their schoolwork and feel comfortable reading on a screen
• Have taken an ACT through their school during the school day, since school-day testing is often computer-based and the experience will feel familiar
• Are doing their ACT prep and test prep digitally and want test day to match their practice environment. If you've been taking ACT practice tests on a screen, sitting down to a paper exam can feel jarring.
• Want access to the built-in Desmos graphing calculator for the Math section (a significant advantage for many students)
• Benefit from digital accessibility tools like text zoom, answer masking, or the line reader

Students who prefer marking up passages by hand, circling answer choices, or working through math problems directly on a printed page may find the paper format more comfortable. Both are valid choices.

One of the most meaningful advantages of the digital ACT is access to the built-in Desmos graphing calculator during the Math section. You can still bring your own permitted calculator, but the Desmos tool is available to every student testing digitally at no extra cost.

Desmos can solve equations, graph functions, find intersections, run regressions, and handle statistics functions instantly. Students who use Desmos during their ACT prep and incorporate it into their ACT practice tests will save significant time on ACT Math and reduce careless errors on the real ACT exam.

See our full guide to using Desmos on the ACT to learn every feature and hack you should know before test day.

The digital ACT includes several built-in tools that all students can use:

• Answer eliminator: Cross out answer choices by placing an “X” over them. Use this when you can quickly identify incorrect options and want to narrow your choices.
• Answer masking: Hide answer choices so you can focus on the question first. This is helpful if you want to predict the answer before looking at the options.
• Highlighter: Highlight text in passages and questions. Use this to mark key ideas in Reading passages and important numbers, units, or keywords in Math questions.
• Line reader: Covers part of the text so you can focus on one line (or a few lines) at a time. Use this to help avoid skipping lines while reading.
• Magnifier: Zoom in on part of the screen for easier viewing. This is especially useful for reading graphs or identifying precise data points.
• Desmos on-screen calculator (Math section only): See our full Desmos ACT guide to learn how to use this tool effectively.

Note: You can only highlight specific words or phrases—not large sections of text. Highlights apply only to the current screen, not across multiple questions.

The digital ACT interface includes several features to help you track your progress, manage your time, and navigate the test efficiently:

• Questions answered counter: Displays how many questions you've answered out of the total in the section (e.g., “Answered: 18 of 50”) in the top ribbon. Use this to track your progress and make sure you don't leave questions unanswered.
• Timer: Shows how much time remains in the section. It starts automatically and can be hidden if needed. You'll receive a warning when 5 minutes remain. Use this to pace yourself throughout the section.
• Flag button: Marks a question so you can return to it later. You can access flagged questions through the index.
• Index and filter: Displays all questions in numerical order and shows which ones are answered. You can filter by all, flagged, answered, or unanswered questions. Use this to quickly navigate and find questions you want to review.
• Color contrast options: Allows you to adjust the display for readability, including contrast levels and color combinations.

The registration process for the digital ACT is the same as for the paper version with one additional step: selecting your format.

1. Go to MyACT.org and begin registration.
2. When prompted, select “Computer” as your preferred test format.
3. Use the test center locator on ACT.org to find a center offering online ACT testing near you.
4. Choose between bringing your own device (BYOD) or using a device provided by the test center.

You can change your format up until the late registration deadline for a fee. You cannot switch formats on test day.

Students with a disability or English learners who may need accommodations should respond “Yes” when asked about accommodations during registration in MyACT and work with their school to request authorization from ACT. See our ACT Accommodations guide for more details.

A few important things to know about devices for digital ACT testing:

• BYOD (Bring Your Own Device): If you register for BYOD, you are responsible for bringing a compatible device. Test centers are not required to provide backups, and arriving without a device means you will not be able to test.
• Devices NOT supported: Personal Chromebooks, Windows S Mode devices, iPads, and tablets are not supported.
• Test center provided devices: If you register for the non-BYOD online option, the test center will provide and prepare all devices.
• Technical difficulties: If your device has an issue during testing that the staff cannot quickly resolve, they may move you to a new device. If no resolution is possible, ACT will work with the test center to arrange rescheduled testing.

The admission ticket policy is the same for both formats. ACT recommends bringing your printed ticket because it contains the login information you will need to access the testing platform. You will not be turned away without it, but you will still need a valid ID.

• Your admission ticket (printed or digital)
• A valid, acceptable photo ID
• Your own permitted, fully-charged calculator (optional, since the built-in Desmos is available)
• Your testing device, if you registered for BYOD
• Number 2 pencils
• Eraser
• Watch

• Any electronic devices other than a permitted calculator and your testing device
• Textbooks, notes, dictionaries, or any reading materials
• Highlighter pens, colored pens or pencils, mechanical pencils, or correction fluid

Scratch paper is provided by the test center for digital testing and collected at the end of the exam.