ACT Year 12 Assessment 2026
Key assessment periods for 2026 ACT Senior Secondary Certificate. The ACT uses a different model to other states — learn how it works.
Unlike the HSC, VCE, or QCE, the ACT Senior Secondary Certificate (SSC) does not have a single end-of-year exam block. Assessment is a mix of school-based coursework, externally moderated tasks, and the ACT Scaling Test (AST) which is used for ATAR calculation. Assessment schedules vary by course and school, with the heaviest assessment period typically in Terms 3 and 4.
Official Source: ACT BSSS Official Information
Key Dates
Exam Dates by Subject
Study Tips
Understand the ACT Model
The ACT does not have a single exam block like HSC or VCE. Your grades come from school-based assessment throughout the year. The AST is used for scaling and ATAR calculation only.
Prepare for the AST
The ACT Scaling Test (AST) is held in September and is compulsory for ATAR-eligible students. It tests general skills across writing, quantitative reasoning, and abstract reasoning. Past AST papers are available from the BSSS.
Stay Consistent All Year
Since your grades come from coursework across the year, consistency matters more than cramming. Treat every assessment task seriously — there’s no single exam to make up for a weak semester.
Check Your School Calendar
Assessment schedules vary by school. Get your school’s assessment calendar early and plan your study around major task due dates across all your subjects.
More Exam Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the ACT have a single exam period like the HSC or VCE?
No. The ACT uses school-based assessment throughout the year, not a centralised end-of-year exam block. The only centrally administered test is the AST (ACT Scaling Test), held in September, which is used for ATAR calculation.
What is the AST?
The ACT Scaling Test (AST) is a test of general skills in writing, quantitative reasoning, and abstract reasoning. It is compulsory for ATAR-eligible Year 12 students and is used by the ACT BSSS to calculate ATARs.
When is the AST in 2026?
The AST is typically held in September. The exact date for 2026 will be announced by the ACT BSSS. Check the BSSS website for confirmed dates.
How is ATAR calculated in the ACT?
ACT ATARs are calculated using your best scaled scores from your major and minor courses, with the AST used as a scaling mechanism. The BSSS website has detailed information on the calculation methodology.
When are ACT Year 12 results released?
ACT Year 12 results and ATARs are typically released in December 2026. Results are available through the BSSS student portal.
Last updated: March 2026 · Content aligned to the ACT Board of Senior Secondary Studies