The Difference Most Students Miss
You got your ACT score. Now you need to send it to colleges. Simple, right?
Not exactly. There are two different things here, and many students mix them up:
- Self-reporting = You type your score into the application. It is free.
- Official ACT report = ACT sends your score directly from their system to the school. It costs $20 per school.
Most schools are fine with self-reported scores first. They only ask for an official report after you get in and decide to go there. But some schools want the official report before they will even look at your application.
This guide tells you exactly which schools want what, and when.
What Is an Official ACT Score Report?
An official ACT score report is sent straight from ACT, Inc. to the college. You do not touch it. You do not email it. You request it through your MyACT account at act.org.
It has a seal that proves the score is real and was not changed. Colleges trust it because it comes directly from the source.
An unofficial score is the one you print or screenshot yourself. Most schools accept this for the application review. But they will always ask for the official one if you actually enroll.
The 3 Types of Schools You Will Deal With
When it comes to ACT scores, schools fall into three groups. Know which group each school is in before you apply.
Group 1: Schools That Require Official Reports BEFORE Admission
These schools want the official report from ACT to arrive before they will decide on your application. You cannot self-report and wait.
These schools are the exception, not the rule. Most top schools are not in this group.
Group 2: Schools That Accept Self-Reported Scores (Official Later)
This is the most common setup. You type your scores into the application. If you get in and enroll, you send the official report to verify.
Stanford says it clearly: “We will review applications using either self-reported or official scores. If you are offered admission and choose to enroll, official scores will be required.”
Group 3: Test-Optional Schools
These schools do not require any ACT score at all. You can still send one if you want. But it is not needed. Columbia University is the only Ivy League school with a permanent test-optional policy as of 2026.
Big 2026 Update | More Schools Now Require Test Scores
Here is something important you need to know right now.
After COVID, many top schools went test-optional. That trend is reversing fast. In 2026, more schools than ever are going back to requiring scores.
Ivy League Status in 2026
6 out of 8 Ivy League schools now require SAT or ACT scores. Only Columbia has a permanent test-optional policy. Princeton is test-optional for 2026-27, but will require scores starting 2027-28.
Schools That Went Back to Test-Required (2025-2026)
The bottom line: if you are applying to any top school in 2026 or 2027, plan to take the ACT or SAT. Even if a school is still test-optional, a strong score helps.
Special Cases | Schools That Want ALL Your ACT Scores
Most schools let you choose which ACT score to send. This is called Score Choice. You pick your best one and send only that.
But a few schools do not play by those rules. Georgetown is the biggest one.
Georgetown’s All-Scores Rule
Georgetown requires submission of your complete testing record: every SAT, ACT, and SAT Subject Test sitting. They do not participate in Score Choice. They want to see your full testing history to compare you fairly against all applicants. If you submit ACT scores, you also must include the Science section score.
Why does Georgetown do this? They say seeing the full picture helps them be fair. But it also means you cannot hide a bad test day.
If a school superscores the ACT (uses your best section scores from different test dates), they might also encourage you to send all sittings. It works in your favor there.
2026 Update | ACT Science Section Is Now Optional
This is something most articles are missing. Big change in 2026.
The ACT used to have four sections: English, Math, Reading, and Science. Science is now optional.
But here is the tricky part: if you send an official ACT Superscore report, it will still show your science score. That is because ACT includes it automatically in the official report, even if science is no longer counted in the composite.
Why does this matter? Some schools say they will not count the science score. But the official report still shows it. If you want to control what the school sees, self-reporting might actually be better in some cases.
ACT Science in 2026: What You Need to Know
Science is optional as of Spring 2025 (online) and September 2025 (paper). The composite score is now calculated from just English, Math, and Reading. But official Superscore reports still show the science score. Some schools have said they will ignore it. Always check with each school directly.
How to Send Official ACT Score Reports (Step by Step)
Sending your official ACT score is simple. Here is how to do it:
- Step 1: Go to act.org and sign into your MyACT account.
- Step 2: Click on “Send Scores” and search for the college by name or code.
- Step 3: Choose which test date to send (Superscore or a specific sitting).
- Step 4: Pay $20 per school. If scores are 3+ years old, add a $30 archive fee.
- Step 5: ACT sends the report electronically. Most schools receive it the same day.
Tip: Send Reports Early
Score reports can take a few days to process, especially near deadlines. Send them at least 2 weeks before the application deadline. Do not choose rush or priority delivery. Schools receive all scores electronically every day, so it makes no difference.
Fee Waivers
If you qualified for an ACT fee waiver when you tested, you can get unlimited free score reports. You do not have to pay $20 per school. Use this. It saves a lot of money, especially if you are applying to 8 or 10 schools.
What Happens If You Lie About Your Score?
This is a question a lot of students secretly wonder about. So let’s talk about it.
If you self-report a fake or inflated score, the school will find out. When you enroll and submit the official report, the scores have to match what you reported on your application.
If they do not match, your admission can be revoked. Even after you start college. This has happened to students at top schools.
Stanford says this clearly: “Stanford reserves the right to revoke an offer of admission if an applicant’s self-reported test scores do not align with those in the official score report.”
It is not worth the risk. Just report your real score.
Does Sending Official Scores Help Your Application?
Some students wonder, if a school accepts self-reported scores, should I still send the official report anyway?
In most cases, no. It costs $20 and makes no difference. The school sees the same numbers either way.
The one exception, if you want to show a school you are serious and financially able to pay the fee, some counselors say it can signal commitment. But this is a very small benefit.
Save the money unless the school specifically asks for an official report.
Scholarships | This Is Where It Gets Different
Here is something most guides do not mention: scholarship requirements can be different from admission requirements.
A school might be test-optional for admission. But to qualify for a merit scholarship, you might need to submit an official ACT or SAT score.
Always check the scholarship page separately from the admissions page. They can have very different rules.
New in 2026 | The CLT Is Now Accepted at 325+ Schools
The Classic Learning Test (CLT) is a newer standardized exam that started gaining traction in the last few years. In 2026, over 325 colleges and universities now accept it.
The University of North Carolina system approved the CLT as an alternative to the SAT and ACT in February 2026 for fall 2027 admissions. The University of Florida also accepts it.
If your ACT score is not where you want it, the CLT might be worth exploring. It is shorter and has a different style. Some students score better on it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to send official ACT scores to every school I apply to?
No. Most schools let you self-report scores on the application. You only need to send an official ACT report if you get admitted and decide to enroll. A few schools like USC and Georgetown are exceptions and want the official report before they review your application.
How long does it take for ACT to send official scores to a college?
ACT sends scores electronically, and most colleges receive them the same day the request is processed. But processing can take a day or two. Plan to request your scores at least 10 to 14 days before the application deadline to be safe.
Can I send my ACT scores for free?
If you took the ACT and had a fee waiver, you get unlimited free score reports. Otherwise, it costs $20 per school per test date. If your scores are more than 3 years old, add a $30 archive fee. There is no rush delivery benefit since schools get reports electronically every day.
What if I took the ACT three times? Do I have to send all three scores?
It depends on the school. Most schools only need the score you self-report or the Superscore. You use Score Choice to send only your best sitting. Georgetown is the big exception. They want every single test sitting you ever had, for both SAT and ACT.
What is ACT Score Choice?
Score Choice lets you pick which ACT test date to send to a school. Most colleges accept this. You can choose your best single-day score or send a Superscore. A Superscore combines your best section scores from different test dates into one composite.
If a school is test-optional, do I still need an official ACT report when I enroll?
Yes. If you chose to submit scores as part of your test-optional application and got in, you will need to send the official report before you can fully enroll. The school verifies your self-reported scores. If you never submitted scores at all, you do not need to send anything.
Does the ACT Writing section need to be in the official report?
Most schools do not require the ACT Writing section. Stanford, for example, says it is optional. Some schools like Georgetown require it if you submit ACT scores. Always check each school individually. The Writing section does not affect your composite score.
My ACT score is from 3 years ago. Can I still send it?
Yes. ACT can send scores from September 2011 to present. If your scores are from a test that was 3 or more years ago, you pay a $30 archive fee in addition to the $20 per school. If your test was before September 2011, you need to download a special request form from act.org.
What happens if I self-report the wrong score by mistake?
Contact the admissions office right away and explain the error. Most schools are understanding if it is an honest mistake, especially if the official report is not far off. The key is to be upfront. Do not wait until they discover it on their own.
Can I send my ACT Superscore as an official report?
Yes. ACT automatically calculates a Superscore from your best section scores across all test dates. You can choose to send this as your official report. Most colleges accept superscores.
Is there any reason to send an official ACT report before admission if the school allows self-reporting?
Not really, unless you are applying to USC, Georgetown, or another school that specifically requires it before the decision. For all other schools, wait until you are admitted and decide to enroll. Save the $20 per school.
The Short Answer
Most schools do not need an official ACT report until you actually enroll. You can self-report your score on your application for free.
A small number of schools, including USC, Georgetown, and UW-Madison, want an official report before they will decide. Check each school individually.
In 2026, the biggest story is that more schools are going back to requiring test scores at all. Six of eight Ivy League schools now require the ACT or SAT. If you are applying to any top school, having a strong ACT score is important again.
Send official reports only when required. Use the ACT website to do it. Plan ahead. And always double-check each school’s current policy before you apply.
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