You can void an ACT sitting only at the test center, before you leave, by telling the room supervisor you want the test cancelled. There is no online "undo" after you walk out, and there is no refund. Voiding is for a genuine emergency mid-test—not for a section that felt hard.
When voiding makes sense
- You become ill and cannot finish.
- A family emergency pulls you out mid-exam.
- Something in the room makes a fair sitting impossible and staff cannot fix it.
Feeling shaky after English is not a reason. Most students who panic mid-test still produce a usable score, and a weak date can stay off most applications if you use score choice.
How to do it
Raise your hand. Tell the supervisor you want to void or cancel this test. Do not leave until they confirm the paperwork. If you break the seal (paper) or start the exam (digital) and then walk out silently, the sitting can still be scored.
If you already finished and left
You cannot void from the parking lot. You can still remove college recipients from the free-report list for a short window after the test so that sitting is not auto-sent. Then decide later whether to send the date: which dates to send.
If the emergency happens before you start
Do not start the test. Leave, then move the registration to a later date (a change fee usually applies). A no-show without a change is different: what happens if you miss the ACT.
The bottom line
Void only if you cannot finish a fair test. Say it out loud to the supervisor before you exit. For a merely ugly section, finish, then choose later whether anyone sees the date.
Start practicing
Start with a free diagnostic, then drill your weak spots with 15-question quizzes and track how you're doing across Reading, English, and Math. Compare plans whenever you're ready to go further.
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.