Your ACT registration includes up to four free score reports to colleges if you enter their codes when you sign up or within a short window after test day, saving you roughly $20 per school compared with sending scores later. The catch is timing: you have to name those schools before the free window closes, often by the Monday about nine days after your test, and the college sees that entire sitting whether or not you love the score.
What the free reports include
The base ACT fee covers score reports sent to you, your high school, and up to four colleges of your choice. You enter each college's ACT code during registration in MyACT. If you skip that step, you can usually add up to four free reports for a limited time after you test, but the deadline is tight, often the Monday about nine days after your test date. After that window, each additional report costs a fee, currently around $20 per school. For the full fee picture, see how much the ACT costs and how to get a fee waiver.
The upside: real savings
Four free reports can save you close to $80 compared with sending scores later. If you already know four schools on your list, entering their codes at registration is the easiest money you will save in the college process. Even if you are not 100% sure you will apply everywhere, the cost of waiting can add up fast once you are sending to six or eight schools senior year.
The downside: they see that sitting
A free report sends your scores from that specific test date. The college sees the full sitting, not just your best sections from other dates. That matters most at schools that require all scores or that do not superscore. Many colleges do superscore, taking your best section scores across dates, which reduces the risk of sending an early attempt. Read how ACT superscoring works and ACT score choice: which dates to send before you decide who gets a free report.
When to list schools early
List colleges during registration when you are confident about your list and your target schools superscore or only care about your best result. This is common for seniors sending scores to schools already on their application list, or for juniors who want scores delivered without a later fee. If you know your goal score and you are testing primarily to hit it, check how to find your target ACT score so you have a realistic sense of whether this sitting is likely to help.
When to wait and pay later
Skip the free reports and send scores later if you are treating this sitting as a practice run, if a school requires all test dates and you are not ready for them to see it, or if you have not finalized your college list yet. Paying ~$20 per school after you have your scores in hand gives you full control over which dates each college receives. That is often worth it for a first junior-year attempt when you expect to retake and improve.
How this fits your overall score strategy
Free reports are a logistics decision, not a separate policy. Colleges still follow their own rules about superscoring, score choice, and whether they want all sittings. Your job is to match the free reports to schools where sending this date helps you or, at worst, does not hurt. Keep a list of ACT college codes handy when you register, and set a calendar reminder for the post-test free-report deadline if you think you might add schools after test day.
The bottom line
Use your four free score reports when you know where you are applying and you are comfortable with that college seeing this test date. Wait and pay later when you need score choice, you are still building your list, or this sitting is mainly for practice. Either way, know the deadline and confirm it in MyACT so the free window does not close before you decide.
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This article offers general ACT prep guidance. The ACT can change from year to year, including its format, scoring, policies, test dates, and fees, so always confirm the latest details on the official ACT website at act.org before you make decisions. ACT® is a registered trademark of ACT, Inc. thirty-six is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by ACT.