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Testing Services and Student Life Research

ACT (National Exam)

Test Score Intrepretative Guide for Admission to UALR update: 05/01/2012

There are two “types” of ACT tests: ACT National and ACT Residual. 

UALR only administers the ACT National.   

The national test is offered several times per year at hundreds of testing centers. National scores can be sent to any university that you might attend. (National test dates are in February, April, June, September, October, and December.)

NOTE:  UALR receives score reports, for regular registrants*, from ACT electronically.  UALR expects to have regular registrants’ scores in the UALR system within fourteen working days barring any delays.

 *Stand-bys, center changes and date changes will have their scores processed by ACT on the typical time line which is four to six weeks. 

The ACT Residual Test is offered by some universities for their students only. A RESIDUAL SCORE IS VALID ONLY AT THE CAMPUS WHERE YOU TAKE THE TEST.

ACT National Registration

There are two ways to register for the ACT national test:

  1. Register online and pay with a credit card. (Check the test registration deadlines before you try to register! You cannot complete an online application if you are trying to be a standby on a national test day.) You will print out your admission ticket directly from the ACT website if you register online.
  2. Use a paper registration packet. A few packets may be available at colleges, universities, and high schools, but it is best to order directly from ACT. (UALR no longer receives registration packets.) After you receive your packet, fill it out, and mail it to ACT with your fee. (Make sure you check the test dates and deadlines — don’t mail the form if you are trying to be a standby.) ACT will mail you an admission ticket if you register with a paper registration form.

Standby Registration

If you have missed the late registration deadline and would like to try to come in as a standby, you must follow one of these two procedures:

    1. Go to the ACT website for Stand-by testing.  Follow the instructions regarding how to create an ACT account .  Print out and complete the ACT Stand-by Request form taking care to follow all of ACT’s directions.  Bring your completed Stand-by Request form, along with acceptable photo ID, and acceptable calculator on your test date.
    2. Order a registration packet from ACT or pick one up from a college, university, or high school.  (Online registration is NOT an option for standbys.)  We apologize, but UALR does not have registration packets.
      • Complete the Registration Folder. The packet contains a booklet entitled “Registering for the ACT ” that will help you complete the folder. Be sure to read the section on “Standby Testing“. Do not mail the registration folder if you’re trying to be a standby! Instead, bring it with you to the test.
      • Be sure you have your SEALED REGISTRATION PACKET with your COMPLETED REGISTRATION FOLDER and FEE (cash is not accepted) enclosed. You may bring an acceptable calculator.
    3. Make sure you have acceptable identification and your fee ready.
    4. Arrive at Ross Hall no later than 7:30 a.m. Read the signs posted in Ross Hall to find your reporting place. (We sometimes are administering several different tests. Be sure you look for ACT signs!)
    5. There are many ACT testing centers besides UALR. If you live in another town, you may prefer to look for a center that is closer to you. You can find a list of test centers in the registration packet or on the ACT website. ACT scores from national test administrations can be sent to any college or university. (ACT scores from residual administrations are good only at the campus where you test.)
    6. Bring some sharpened #2 pencils.  Mechanical pencils are not permitted.  Other prohibited items can be found on the ACT website or in the registration packet.
    7. Print your name on the standby list at the designated reporting place. Ask the testing staff for help if you have questions.
    8. After all registered examinees are seated, the test supervisor will determine how many standbys can be admitted. She will admit standbys first-come, first-served according to the standby list. Standbys who are not ready (no completed packet, or no acceptable ID, or no acceptable fee, etc.) cannot be admitted.
    9. Standby seating is not guaranteed. No determination can be made until the test day after all registered examinees have been seated. While we make every attempt to seat standbys, there are days when standbys are turned away. Your best bet is to register on time for the ACT test. If you did not register and you want to be a standby, be sure you arrive early with everything you need.

      Changing Your Test Center or Test Date

      This option applies ONLY if you have registered for ACT and now need to change to a different center or a different test date. If you want to make this change BEFORE the late registration deadline, follow the directions at the ACT website. If you want to make this change AFTER the late registration deadline, continue reading.

      • Arrive at Ross Hall no later than 7:30 a.m. Read the signs posted in Ross Hall to find your reporting place. (We sometimes are administering several different tests. Be sure you look for ACT signs!)
      • There are many ACT testing centers besides UALR. If you live in another town, you may prefer to look for a center that is closer to you. You can find a list of test centers on the ACT website. ACT scores from national test administrations can be sent to any college or university. (ACT scores from residual administrations are good only at the campus where you test.)
      • Be sure you have acceptable identification.
      • You may bring an acceptable calculator.
      • Bring some sharpened #2 pencils.
      • Print your name on the standby/change list at the designated reporting place. Ask the testing staff for help if you have questions.
      • After all registered examinees are seated, the test supervisor will determine how many standbys and changes can be admitted. She will admit them first-come, first-served according to the standby/change list.
      • Seating is not guaranteed. No determination can be made until the test day after all registered examinees have been seated.
      • If you are admitted, ACT will send you a bill for their fee to change you to another center or another test date. Visit the ACT Registration Changes website to find out more.

      ACT Preparation

      UALR Testing Services is not permitted to participate in test preparation of any kind per our contracts with the testing companies.

      The following are resources available through ACT and the Central Arkansas Community:

Updated 5.1.2012