College-bound high school students should register for the ACT by Jan. 4

The next ACT exam will be administered on Feb. 9 in all states except New York. Students who wish to take the college admission and placement exam on this date must register by Jan. 4, which is the deadline for having their registration postmarked.

There is a late registration postmark deadline of Jan. 18; though an extra fee is charged for late registrations. Students can register online at www.actstudent.org, or registration forms can be picked up at high school counseling offices.

The cost is $30 for the traditional ACT and $44.50 for the ACT Plus Writing. Some colleges require ACT's optional writing test score, but many don't, so students should find out the requirements of prospective colleges before registering for the exam. ACT scores are accepted by all major four-year colleges and universities across the United States.

ACT's Web site (www.actstudent.org) has helpful information about the ACT and how to prepare for it, including sample tests. It also provides information on college planning, financial aid, career planning and the opportunity to order inexpensive test prep materials.