Testing Services

ACT

National American College Test (ACT) / Residual American College Test (ACT) 


The ACT is the required examination for admission to Northern Kentucky University.  Testing Services offers both National and Residual ACT exam dates.  Any questions regarding the National or Residual ACT contact Amy Danzo at (859) 572-5751. 

Residual ACT

The Residual ACT is administered for the convenience of Northern Kentucky University’s students.  The scores WILL NOT BE REPORTED to another university. The registration for the Residual ACT is handled by NKU Testing Services.

Please note that a minimum period of sixty days must elapse before one can re-take the Residual ACT.  If a student re-tests residually within a sixty day period, scores will be cancelled and the test fee will be non-refundable.

If you have a documented learning disability, impaired vision, or other condition that requires accommodations, you will need to contact the office at (859) 572-6373 BEFORE you register for the test. Your test day and time will be different than those listed below.

2011-12 Residual ACT Testing dates for NKU:   

  • March 7, 2012
  • May 24, 2012
  • July 26, 2012

    All Tests occur at 8:00 a.m. Examinees will be dismissed around 12:30 p.m.

Dates & locations are subject to change.

Emergency ACT

Examinees now have an option to test on days other than those listed above. This option is referred to as the Emergency ACT. Please contact Testing Services at (859) 572-6373 for more information. 

The use of a calculator is permitted only on the Mathematics Test.  Please use a battery powered four functions, scientific, or graphing calculator; models which make noise, use paper tapes, have electronic writing pads, have a typewriter key pad, or those which can transmit information wirelessly are unacceptable!   PROHIBITED CALCULATORS: Casio CFX-9970G (and all model numbers that begin with CFX-9970G), Algebra fx 2.0,  ClassPad 300; Texas Instruments TI-89, TI-92 (including all models that begin with TI-89 or TI-92); Hewlett-Packard HP-40G, HP48GII,  and HP-49G (including all models that begin with HP 40G or 49G).

Registration for the Residual ACT

A registration fee of $53.00 must be paid at the time of registration for the standard ACT. The Emergency ACT  has a registration fee of $83 and it must be paid at the time of registration. Fees are non-refundable.  Please click on the link below to register. Please note: If you wish to reschedule, you may do so without a charge 7 days prior to your scheduled test date. If you reschedule after the 7 day grace period, you must register and pay the fee again.

On the day of the test, please bring a picture identification card (your driver’s license or another form of I.D. that includes your picture and your signature).  You will not be permitted to take the exam without a picture I.D.

Please note: The College of Education no longer accepts the National or Residual ACT for admission requirements. Those seeking admission to The College of Education must take the Praxis I (PPST) test. 


 Registration

The use of a calculator is permitted only on the Mathematics Test.  Please use a battery powered four functions, scientific, or graphing calculator; models which make noise, use paper tapes, have electronic writing pads, have a typewriter key pad, or those which can transmit information wirelessly are unacceptable!   PROHIBITED CALCULATORS: Casio CFX-9970G (and all model numbers that begin with CFX-9970G), Algebra fx 2.0,  ClassPad 300; Texas Instruments TI-89, TI-92 (including all models that begin with TI-89 or TI-92); Hewlett-Packard HP-40G, HP48GII,  and HP-49G (including all models that begin with HP 40G or 49G).

National ACT

These scores can be reported to other universities. This testing is handled by the National ACT testing agency.

2011-12 National ACT Testing Dates at NKU

Please arrive at the location and time listed on your admission ticket.

  • February 11, 2012
  • April 14, 2012
  • June 9, 2012

Dates & locations are subject to change.

The use of a calculator is permitted only on the Mathematics Test.  Please use a battery powered four functions, scientific, or graphing calculator; models which make noise, use paper tapes, have electronic writing pads, have a typewriter key pad, or those which can transmit information wirelessly are unacceptable!   PROHIBITED CALCULATORS: Casio CFX-9970G (and all model numbers that begin with CFX-9970G), Algebra fx 2.0,  ClassPad 300; Texas Instruments TI-89, TI-92 (including all models that begin with TI-89 or TI-92); Hewlett-Packard HP-40G, HP48GII,  and HP-49G (including all models that begin with HP 40G or 49G).

Registering for the National ACT

Registration for the National ACT is done on their Web site at http://www.actstudent.org.

Parking on the Day of the Test

 If you do not have a valid NKU parking sticker for student parking, you must park in one of the three garages on campus. The garages accept credit cards and cash. Please go to Testing Services home page to print out a campus map.

Study Resources

Examinees in search of study resources for the Residual or National ACT can check out the ACT website at www.actstudent.org.

ACT Scores at NKU

  1. For NKU college level courses, students will need: 18 or above in English; 19 or above in Math; 20 or above in Reading.
  2. A composite score of “20” is required for the Bachelor of Science in Nursing 
  3. A composite score of "21" on the ACT  is required for first time freshmen majoring in Criminal Justice, International Studies, and Political Science 
  4. A composite score of "22" is required for admissions into Biology and Pre-Biology majors
  5. Radiologic Technology and Respiratory Care require a composite score according to the current NKU admission standard     
  6. Please note: The College of Education no longer accepts the National or Residual ACT for admission requirements. Those seeking admission to The College of Education must take the Praxis I (PPST) test.