We kept trying the ACT website and finally more seats opened up in a previously “full” Sept 12 test date/site. So, yah we snagged a seat last night! As a rising senior (and wanting to apply EA to some colleges) it was really critical to be able to test in early Sept.
Of course, in the intervening time we had signed up for a Sept SAT. If we cancel it’s only a $10 refund back. I guess we will just eat the cost or just take the exam for sh*** and giggles. I don’t think it will make sense to study both ACT and SAT simultaneously.
I did send an email to act.org on August 4th beseeching them to add more dates and local sites to their Sept schedule, especially given the desperate situation many rising seniors are in. Maybe they actually heard me
Chanthor, I could not agree more with the sentiment of your statement below:
“As a rising senior (and wanting to apply EA to some colleges) it was really critical to be able to test in early Sept.”
Timing and test availability is crucial for the ACT to be able to execute. Signing for a test is only half of the battle with ACT. Only time will tell if ACT can actually timely administer and grade any tests taken.
As mentioned, timing is an important component for kids like yours who have a plan in the college application process.
There is little to no recourse for the ACT to carry out its all important mission. This lack of recourse is a structural problem with the ACT and college admissions process.
Maybe if the ACT were sued and had to pay some actual damages, then the ACT would be more motivated to properly carry out its missions. It’s sad and frustrating for sure.
The ACT org must be listening. I just checked the website again and a new test site was added closer to home and I was able to change test location without incurring a change fee. I would advise those who registered earlier to keep checking the ACT website to see if more test dates/sites open up for them.
Guys,
Just try to avoid public schools in large cities, even if very close to your home.
If a school is fully online, what are the chances they will allow the ACT test to take place in the otherwise locked building?
Thank you, guys! So glad I read this, because of course the ACT hasn’t replied to all my queries, to email an alert to check again. I was able to get my kid a seat at a site one hour’s drive away, instead of 2000 miles away. My state is still pretty low in COVID cases, and school doesn’t open until after labor day, so I’m praying that the test will take place.
My D got an unsolicited email from ACT over a week ago that her Sept 12 test in Belmont MASS was rescheduled to Sept 19 in OHIO -over 10 hours drive away. We did not request a change! Her account page is blank so we can’t cancel it. Emails, calls unanswered. Wondering if her account hacked or just melt down of their entire system.
I have never received any response form ACT that was other than a stock “We’re trying very hard” email, never answered questions or helped me. But I did check repeatedly online for new testing sites, and was able to get one a few weeks ago that was only an hour away from home for Sept 12, and then a couple of days ago for one in our town. Also, I was able to find an October 10th site about 75 minutes away. So it’s worth it to keep checking.
Meanwhile, I found a recommendation to simply email the CEO of ACT. I did, got a non-stock “We’d like to help you” email response, with a promise that they could do what I needed, and that she’d get someone on it, and that I’d hear back within two days, which I have not.
ACT remains a grossly negligent company.
Their website still crashes pretty much every time we try to change anything.
Worse yet, they don’t update test site info. For example, they still have open spots in several test centers in Indiana for October - in high schools that state clearly on their websites that “no outside testers would be allowed until [at least December].”
When you register, please make sure to call the site.
My daughter, a HS senior, got an unprompted email that her test site and date had changed from BOSTON to OHIO 3 weeks ago! We did not do this. We logged on and her account history is blank. We can’t cancel it or change.
Originally scheduled for April, then June and August. Now we are worried her account was swapped with someone else’s maybe?
We have emailed 5-6 times and gotten form letters with case number, nothing else.
Calls- twice said call volume too heavy to connect.
Other calls we waited on hold for 2 hours one time and an hour another before having to hang up. This is disgusting, how can they still be this inept 3 weeks out with no response.
We can’t do anything and now all we want is a refund.
Her SAT was also rescheduled 4 times, March- June- Sept- now October.
I contacted a Boston news station and they have expressed interest in the whole ACT mess.
@BFarina I have an issue and I found that when calling if I selected option #2 for international students I was able to get through. It still took 20 minutes on-hold but at least I got through.
Call the school directly! I just called and they told me they had notified ACT this summer they would not hold the test yet the school does not show up as a cancelled test site on the website!
