Meta description: The October 17 ACT is almost here, but registration is closed. Here’s what athletes can do this week, what to update after test day, and the next ACT dates.
It’s Tuesday. The ACT is Saturday. Maybe you’re testing this weekend; maybe you’re not. Either way, test week is a useful reminder to check whether your recruiting profile tells the current story of you as a student and an athlete.
The test itself is one step. The follow-through matters, too: keep your academics current alongside your film, stats and other recruiting information.
What’s happening this week
The next ACT national test date is Saturday, October 17, 2026. Regular registration closed September 11, and late registration closed September 29. So if you aren’t already registered, you can’t sign up for this test date now.
That’s okay. The ACT is offered seven times during the 2026–27 testing year, and the next regular registration deadline is November 6 for the December 12 test. For families who are not testing this Saturday, this week can be about planning, not rushing.
Academics are part of a coach’s evaluation because athletes need to be admissible and maintain eligibility. As we’ve discussed in our broader guide to what coaches look for, your academic picture belongs alongside your athletic information, not in a separate folder that is easy to forget.
If you’re testing Saturday: a brief checklist
This isn’t an ACT prep plan. With four days left, aim for a calm, practical finish:
Review lightly. Revisit familiar strategies or a few missed questions instead of trying to learn everything at once.
Check your logistics. Confirm your test center, arrival time and route. Review your admission information and ACT’s current test-day instructions.
Pack the night before. Check ACT’s guidance for required identification and permitted items, and prepare what you need in advance.
Protect your sleep. Keep your usual routine as much as possible, especially the night before the test.
The goal is to arrive prepared, not to let one Saturday take over your week.
The real recruiting move happens after the test
A recruiting profile is a quick way for a coach to understand an athlete’s story. A useful way to check yours is to imagine a coach scanning it briefly: can they find your film, key stats, academics and contact details without having to hunt?
That’s why GPA, coursework and test information can matter. Coaches are evaluating potential fit on the field and whether a student can meet the academic expectations of a school and stay eligible. The NCAA Eligibility Center also makes clear that core courses and core-course GPA are important for NCAA eligibility; your overall GPA may differ from your core-course GPA.
An ACT score does not tell a coach everything about your academic readiness, and it does not replace grades, courses or transcripts. But when a score is available and relevant to the schools you’re exploring, keeping it current can help provide a fuller picture.
The post-test profile update: what to do and when
ACT scores are released over time after test day. The first scores may appear online before paper scores, and not every score is necessarily available at once. Check ACT’s official score page for the current release schedule and your MyACT account for your own results.
When your score becomes available, make time that same week to review your recruiting profile. You don’t need to rebuild everything. A short check can make the profile more useful and up to date:
Review your academic information. Confirm your GPA and academic details are accurate and current.
Add or update your ACT score, if appropriate. Make sure the test date and score are represented accurately wherever your profile allows you to share them.
Check the rest of the profile. Confirm your film links work, stats are current, and team history and contact details are correct.
Keep official reporting separate. A score listed on a recruiting profile is not an official score report. Follow each college’s instructions for sending scores, if required.
A profile can be strong athletically and still leave a coach with unanswered questions if important information is missing or out of date. Updating the academic section is a small step that helps your profile reflect where you are now.
If the score isn’t what you hoped
A score that feels disappointing is information, not a verdict on your recruiting future. You can consider a retake if it fits your schedule, goals and the policies of the schools you’re researching.
The next national test date is December 12, 2026, with a regular registration deadline of November 6. After that, the schedule includes February 27, April 10, June 12 and July 10, 2027. Check ACT’s official calendar for current registration details and any later-deadline options.
Also, admissions and testing policies vary by school. NCAA initial eligibility and college admission are not the same process: Division I and II eligibility rules focus on approved core courses and core-course GPA, while individual colleges set their own admission policies. A school may be test-optional, or it may require scores for admission or other purposes. Check directly with each school and the NCAA Eligibility Center for the requirements that apply to you.
Recruiting is about more than one test score. Film, athletic fit, academics, communication and the needs of a program all help shape the conversation. There are also different kinds of college opportunities and financial aid to explore. For context, see our data-based article on what percentage of high school athletes get a college athletic scholarship.
The 2026–27 ACT calendar at a glance
Deadlines can change or have additional requirements. Confirm details on ACT’s official 2026–27 test-date page.
Where RecruitMyGame fits
RecruitMyGame profiles bring athletic information and academics together, so athletes can share film, stats, GPA, character information and coach reviews in one place. When your academic information changes, update your profile so the information coaches see there is current.
Athletes can start with a free profile. For families who want additional features, Pro is $19.99 per month, and Super Charged Pro is $39.99 per month. Teams can explore the team option at $100 per athlete per year, with a 14-day trial.
ACT and recruiting profile FAQ
Is the ACT required for college athletes?
It depends on the school and its policies. NCAA initial eligibility requirements differ from college admission requirements, and individual schools may have their own testing rules. Check each school’s admissions policy and the NCAA Eligibility Center’s current requirements.
What if I missed the October registration deadline?
Registration for October 17 is closed. The next national ACT date is December 12, 2026, and the regular registration deadline is November 6, 2026. Confirm current options and requirements through ACT.
When do ACT scores come out?
ACT releases scores on a rolling basis after a test date; online scores may be available before paper scores. Timing can vary, so check the ACT score-release information rather than relying on an estimated date.
What GPA or test score do I need to play college sports?
There isn’t one answer for every college or division. Requirements can vary by division, school and admissions policy. For NCAA eligibility, review the NCAA Eligibility Center requirements and work with your school counselor.
Should I put my ACT score on my recruiting profile?
If you have a score and choose to share it, keep it accurate and current. Academic information helps coaches evaluate your profile, but a score listed there does not replace an official score report when a college requests one.
A simple next step for this week
If you’re testing Saturday, focus on a steady finish and handle your profile update once your score is available. If you’re not testing, use the week to check your academics and note the November 6 registration deadline for December.
You can build a free RecruitMyGame profile or, if you already have one, take a few minutes this week to review your academics section.
Methodology and sources
This article was prepared October 13, 2026, using the following sources:
ACT, ACT Exam Test Dates and Deadlines, national testing dates and registration deadlines: https://www.act.org/content/act/en/products-and-services/the-act/registration/test-dates.html
ACT, ACT Test Scores, general score-release information: https://www.act.org/content/act/en/products-and-services/the-act/scores.html
NCAA, Initial Eligibility Requirements, division differences and academic eligibility guidance: https://www.ncaa.org/eligibility-center/initial-eligibility-requirements/
RecruitMyGame, Athlete Recruiting Pricing Plans, current plan and team pricing: https://www.recruitmygame.com/pricing
RecruitMyGame, What Percentage of High School Athletes Get a College Athletic Scholarship? (2026 Data), related scholarship context: https://www.recruitmygame.com/blog/what-percentage-of-high-school-athletes-get-a-college-athletic-scholarship-2026-data
The article’s four illustrative sports photographs were generated for RecruitMyGame. They do not depict named athletes or test locations.
How to cite this page
APA: RecruitMyGame. (2026, October 13). The ACT Is This Saturday (Oct 17): What Test Week Means for Your Recruiting Profile. https://www.recruitmygame.com/blog
MLA: RecruitMyGame. “The ACT Is This Saturday (Oct 17): What Test Week Means for Your Recruiting Profile.” RecruitMyGame, 13 Oct. 2026, https://www.recruitmygame.com/blog.
Copy-and-paste attribution: Source: RecruitMyGame, “The ACT Is This Saturday (Oct 17): What Test Week Means for Your Recruiting Profile,” October 13, 2026.