On June 30, 2026, ETS announced it’s acquiring ACT, marking a top consolidations in the educational testing industry.
The merger brings together two nonprofit institutions that together cater to millions of students annually through college admissions tests, English proficiency exams, and workforce readiness assessments.
For students, educators, and admissions officers, this development raises vital questions about the coming of standardized testing.
Both bodies portion a mission to expand educational opening.
ETS is best known for the GRE and TOEFL, though ACT is synonymous with the ACT college entrance exam.
Combining their assets, research expertise, and test delivery infrastructure could accelerate efforts to generate more equitable and accessible pathways to college and profession accomplishment.
Yet, many points about the integration timeline and product alters remain unannounced.
This article breaks down what the acquisition means, what students should anticipate, and how to remain informed as the transition unfolds.
We contain verified facts from the formal press release and context from steady industry insight.
Quick takeaways
- ETS announced the acquisition of ACT on June 30, 2026, from Princeton, N.J.
- Both institutions are mission-driven, nonprofit measurement leaders serving education and path readiness.
- The merger aims to address major challenges in American education by combining expertise and references.
- No immediate modifies to current tests or score validity have been announced; test-takers should continue as standard.
- The combined entity will have a larger research capacity and broader assessment portfolio.
- Students should monitor authorized ETS and ACT websites for updates on integration and policy adjusts.
This relocate combines the strengths of two mission-driven measurement organizations to address the significant challenges facing American education.
What Happened? ETS Acquires ACT
Educational Testing Solution (ETS) announced today that it’s acquiring ACT, one of the most broadly recognized names in college and profession readiness.
The announcement was created via a press release dated June 30, 2026, from ETS headquarters in Princeton, New Jersey.
Precise financial terms of the acquisition weren’t disclosed.
The press release states that the shift combines the strengths of two mission-driven measurement bodies to address considerable challenges facing American education.
Media inquiries can be directed to Kristen Mitchel at [email protected].
Who Are ETS and ACT? A Quick Background
ETS is a nonprofit institution founded in 1947, best known for developing and administering the GRE (Graduate Record Examinations) and TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language).
It also generates the Praxis series for teacher certification and numerous K–12 assessments.
ETS employs thousands of psychometricians, researchers, and test administrators worldwide.
ACT, also a nonprofit, was founded in 1959 and is best known for the ACT college entrance exam, taken by over 1.3 million students annually.
ACT also gives career readiness assessments, the PreACT, and various workforce credentials.
Both institutions stake a commitment to providing just, valid, and reliable measurements that unseal doors to chance.
Why This Merger Matters for American Education
The press release frames the acquisition as a strategic response to persistent challenges in education: inequitable access, rising expenses. The want for better alignment between K–12, higher education, and paths.
By joining forces, ETS and ACT can pool their research and technology to grow more holistic and reasonable assessment solutions.
For test-takers, the merger could eventually lead to a unified platform for registration, score reporting, and test preparation.
It may also accelerate the development of adaptive, computer-based tests that measure skills beyond academic expertise, such as critical thinking and collaboration.
But, regulators may scrutinize the handle for potential anticompetitive effects, given that ETS and ACT together control a substantial portion of the college admissions testing market alongside the College Board (SAT).
No regulatory challenges have been announced.
Impact on Test-Takers: What Changes to Expect First
In the compact term, test-takers should count on no prompt changes to present tests.
ACT and ETS will carry on to administer their existing assessments—ACT, GRE, TOEFL—without disruption.
Score validity, test centers, and registration procedures remain the matching.
Over the longer term, the combined body may consolidate certain test delivery systems, introduce integrated score reports, or create hybrid assessments that combine elements from both portfolios.
Students preparing for any of these exams should keep on following formal study materials and practice tests from the respective bodies.
- Anticipate continuity: the ACT test will still be offered as typical for the foreseeable upcoming.
- Score reports and sending procedures are unchanged until further spot.
- Test preparation resources from each institution remain present.
- International test-takers shouldn’t observe any instant difference in availability or fees.
Timeline and Next Steps After the Announcement
The press release doesn’t specify a closing date for the acquisition or a timeline for integration.
Normally, such transactions need regulatory approval and shareholder consent, which could take several months.
Both organizations are expected to run independently until the manage is finalized.
After closing, a transition period will begin where ETS and ACT leadership will decide on branding, organizational layout, and solution roadmaps.
Pivotal decisions—such as whether the ACT name will be retained—haven’t been announced.
Students, educators, and counselors should abide by authorized ETS and ACT newsrooms for updates.
The contact for media inquiries is Kristen Mitchel at ETS ([email protected]).
What This Means for College Admissions and Career Readiness
The merger could reshape the landscape of college admissions testing.
With ETS owning both the GRE and now ACT, it has incentives to produce a seamless pathway from high school (ACT) to graduate school (GRE) and professional credentials.
This may lead to cross-platform gains like fee waivers or combined score reports.
Path readiness is another field of synergy.
ACT’s WorkKeys and ETS’s HiSET and other workforce assessments could be unified into a sole credentialing system that employers trust.
This aligns with the growing emphasis on skills-based hiring over degree-based screening.
How to Stay Informed and Prepare
Students currently registered for an ACT or ETS exam should continue preparing as normal and verify for any emails from the respective organizations about alters to policies or test formats.
The official websites (act.org and ets.org) will be the leading sources of details.
Counselors and educators can for newsletters from both institutions to get updates.
For media inquiries, the offered contact is Kristen Mitchel at [email protected].
No public FAQ page has been released yet, but one is expected soon after the handle closes.
Key Facts About the ETS-ACT Acquisition
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Announcement Date | June 30, 2026 |
| Acquiring Company | Educational Testing Service (ETS) |
| Acquired Company | ACT |
| Headquarters of ETS | Princeton, New Jersey |
| Known For (ETS) | GRE, TOEFL, Praxis |
| Known For (ACT) | ACT college entrance exam, PreACT, WorkKeys |
| Nonprofit Status | Both organizations are nonprofit |
| Media Contact | Kristen Mitchel, [email protected] |
| Purpose Stated | Address challenges in American education and expand pathways to opportunity |
| Immediate Changes | None announced; tests continue as normal |
Frequently Asked Questions
Will the ACT test be discontinued after the ETS acquisition?
No.
The press release doesn’t mention discontinuing the ACT test.
In truth, both bodies emphasize combining strengths to address educational challenges.
The ACT brand and test are expected to continue, at least in the near term.
Any changes to test offerings would be announced well in advance.
Are my present ACT or GRE scores still legitimate after the merger?
Yes.
Score validity policies are determined by the test makers and receiving institutions.
The acquisition doesn’t affect the validity of scores by now earned.
ACT scores remain sound for up to five years (or as per college policies), and GRE scores for five years.
No changes to score reporting have been indicated.
Will ETS and ACT combine their tests into one single exam?
There are currently no blueprints announced to build a single combined test.
Each organization’s assessments assist different purposes and audiences.
Yet, in the extended term, the merger may facilitate integrated score reports or cross-platform recommendations.
For now, students should prepare for the particular test they need.
How does this merger affect the SAT and the College Board?
The College Board, which administers the SAT, is a separate nonprofit and isn’t involved in this acquisition.
The ETS-ACT merger doesn’t directly affect the SAT.
Though, the combined marketplace power of ETS and ACT may influence competitive dynamics in college admissions testing, potentially leading to alters in pricing or test features across the sector.
What should international students count on from this merger?
International students should count on continuity.
TOEFL (ETS) and ACT are broadly employed for admissions by U.S. Colleges.
The merger may eventually produce a more unified submission routine, but no modifies have been announced.
Students should still register for the tests called for by their target institutions and monitor official ETS and ACT global websites.
When will the acquisition be wrapped up, and where can I spot formal updates?
The press release didn’t provide a specific closing date.
Acquisitions of this size usually close within a few months to a year, pending regulatory and shareholder approvals.
For formal updates, stop by the ETS Newsroom at ets.org/newsroom and the ACT Newsroom at act.org/news.
The media contact is Kristen Mitchel at ETS ([email protected]).
Final Thoughts
The ETS acquisition of ACT represents a historic consolidation in educational testing, with the potential to reshape how millions of students display college and career readiness.
For now, the most important takeaway is continuity: current tests, scores, and registration processes remain unchanged.
The combined expertise of both bodies could lead to more innovative, equitable, and accessible assessments in the years ahead.
Stick around informed by bookmarking the formal ETS and ACT newsrooms.
If you’re currently preparing for the ACT, GRE, or TOEFL, maintain studying as planned—the only thing certain is adjust, but it will arrive with ample observe.
This merger signals a new chapter for educational opportunity, and being an informed test-taker is your best first step.