An ACT analysis of the high school class of 2026, reported by K-12 Dive on October 14, found that about one in three of the 1.46 million graduates who took the ACT took it at least twice. Retakers’ composite scores rose an average of 1.1 points from their first attempt to their most recent one, and they were 7 percentage points more likely to meet all three of ACT’s college readiness benchmarks on their latest test. In Mississippi and Tennessee, more than three quarters of students tested more than once.
What this means for your student
A first score is a starting point, not a verdict. Schedule the first ACT early enough in junior year to leave room for a retake, with focused preparation in between. An average gain is not a guarantee for any one student, so build the plan around your student’s own practice results.
Related reading
- The Test-Optional Era Is Ending. Here’s What That Means for You
- Notre Dame Will Require the SAT or ACT Again, Starting With Today’s Juniors
Sources: K-12 Dive, reporting ACT’s analysis (October 14, 2026); Higher Ed Dive.