The ACT is a national college admission examination that consists of subject area tests in English, Mathematics, Reading, and Science. The ACT Plus Writing includes the four subject area tests and a 30-minute Writing Test. The Writing Test is encouraged, but not required for admission to Illinois State.
The ACT includes 215 multiple-choice questions and takes approximately 3 hours and 30 minutes to complete with breaks (or just over four hours if you are taking the Writing Test). Actual testing time is 2 hours and 55 minutes (plus 30 minutes if you are taking the Writing Test).
In Illinois, the ACT is administered on six national test dates—in September, October, December, February, April, and June. Visit the ACT web site for more information about national test dates, test centers, and test registration.
The ACT Residual exam is the same ACT exam given during national test dates. However, Residual exam scores cannot be sent or used by other universities. Test results from the Residual exam are typically available and provided to Illinois State’s Office of Admissions by the next working day. Students must have an application for admission on file at Illinois State prior to taking this exam.
Visit the Admissions web site to apply for admission online or to download a paper copy.
12:30 P.M., Room 346 Fell Hall (November 11 only at 8:30am)
The $40.00 test fee is not refundable. However, you may transfer to any test date that is scheduled within the next 6 months. There will be a $5.00 fee for any transfer that is not arranged before the test date.
Write a letter to University College Testing Services stating your name, University Identification Number (UID)*, and choice of test date. Include a check for $40.00 payable to Illinois State University. This office should receive the letter and check or money order at least 10 days before the test date.
Registration may be accepted in person (Fell 346) up to the day before the test as long as seating capacity has not been reached. The office accepts checks or money orders.
Mail registration letter to:
Illinois State University
University College Testing Services
Campus Box 4060
Normal, IL 61790-4060
*Your UID is available on Welcome2ISU if you have submitted an application for admission. In addition, upon receipt of your application for admission, you were sent your UID via U.S. mail.
Since most parking lots are faculty-staff restricted, we suggest that you park in the pay lot on Locust Street, directly behind the Bone Student Center or the South University Street Parking garage on the first level. For further directions, please visit the Campus Map.
Please notice: students will be required to present photo identification such as driver's license, school I.D., or passport at the test center. Other forms of I.D., without a photo, will not be accepted. Students who do not have current photo I.D. are to ask their high school counselors for a letter of identification on school letterhead, signed by the student, and signed and dated by the counselor. For additional information about letters, visit the Official ACT web site.
Your scores will be mailed to you and reported to the office of Admissions at Illinois State on the following working day after the test. Scores from tests taken through Illinois State's residual program cannot be reported to educational institutions other than Illinois State University.
Tests may be repeated but the retest should be taken on a National test date. If this is not possible, a minimum of 60 days must elapse between test and retest. Applications and test information for the National Testing Program are available in University College Testing Services, 346 Fell Hall or at the ACT web site.
If you need a special accommodation to fully participate in this test administration, please contact University College Testing Services at (309) 438-2100. Please allow sufficient time to arrange the accommodation.
