<p>I have taken Sep ACT and Plan to take Oct 26 th ACT. Since I don't know which score is going to be higher score, it will be better to wait at least until Oct results are published which could be let's say 2 weeks after Oct 26th, around Nov 10th. If I request scores be sent to colleges let's say around Nov 10 -15th, will the colleges receive scores by Jan 1st which is deadline for most regular decisions.</p>
<p>As long as colleges receive application by Jan 1st and scores are requested before that, is that okay or they have to have everything by Jan 1st including the test scores?</p>
<p>Just make sure you order the scores at least a week or 2 before deadline. ACT is usually sent within a few days, SAT may take 1-2 weeks. Some schools require to have everything received by deadline. So you better send scores early.</p>
<p>Just note that if you take the optional writing section of the ACT, scores will not actually be sent until that writing score is released which can be up to a week after the composite and section scores are released.</p>
<p>As to meeting any Jan 1 application deadline, if your scores are released in Nov and you order them sent by end of Nov, they will arrive long before Jan 1. The actual time it takes to get them to a college is not long since “sending” simply consists of processing your request and sticking the scores in an on-line account that the college has with ACT. Usually takes no more than a week after an order is made to complete that process. </p>
<p>Also as to meeting any Jan 1 deadline you should check each college’s rules. For overwhelming majority, the early Jan application deadline is not a test score deadline and test scores can arrive after the application deadline date. Moreover, those colleges even accept the Dec ACT test for which scores are not released until late December.</p>
<p>You should definitely check the requirement of each school. Some schools like UMich that want everything by deadline and even do not accept rush scoring.</p>