How To Calculate An Act Score

How to Calculate an ACT Score: A Comprehensive Guide

Introduction

The ACT (American College Testing) is a standardized exam that plays a critical role in college admissions in the United States. For students aiming to pursue higher education, understanding how to calculate an ACT score is essential. This score not only reflects a student’s academic readiness but also influences scholarship opportunities and college acceptance decisions. In this article, we’ll break down the process of calculating an ACT score, explain the scoring system, and provide actionable tips to improve your results.

What Is an ACT Score?

The ACT is a multiple-choice test designed to assess high school students’ college readiness. It consists of four main sections:

1. English (45 minutes, 75 questions)
2. Math (60 minutes, 60 questions)
3. Reading (35 minutes, 40 questions)
4. Science (35 minutes, 40 questions)

There’s also an optional Writing section (40 minutes, 1 essay), which is scored separately. Each section is scored on a scale of 1 to 36, and the composite score—the average of the four main sections—ranges from 1 to 36 as well.

How to Calculate an ACT Score: Step-by-Step Breakdown

Step 1: Understand the Scoring System

The ACT uses a raw score system for each section. For every correct answer, you earn one point. Incorrect answers do not deduct points (no negative marking). The raw scores from each section are then converted into scaled scores (1–36) using a process called equating, which adjusts for slight variations in test difficulty.

For example:

• If you answer 55 out of 60 Math questions correctly, your raw score is 55.
• This raw score is then converted to a scaled score (e.g., 28) based on the test’s difficulty.

Step 2: Calculate Individual Section Scores

Each section’s raw score is converted to a scaled score. These scores are not added together but are used to determine your composite score. Here’s how it works:

1. English: Raw score → Scaled score (1–36)
2. Math: Raw score → Scaled score (1–36)
3. Reading: Raw score → Scaled score (1–36)
4. Science: Raw score → Scaled score (1–36)

Step 3: Calculate the Composite Score

The composite score is the average of the four scaled section scores, rounded to the nearest whole number.
Formula:
$ \text{Composite Score} = \frac{\text{English} + \text{Math} + \text{Reading} + \text{Science}}{4} $

Example:
If a student scores:

• English: 28
• Math: 32
• Reading: 30
• Science: 29

The composite score would be:
$ \frac{28 + 32 + 30 + 29}{4} = \frac{119}{4} = 29.75 \approx 30 $

Step 4: Include the Writing Score (Optional)

If you take the Writing section, it’s scored separately on a scale of 2–12. This score does not affect your composite score but is reported alongside it. Colleges may use it for placement in writing-intensive programs.

Real-World Examples of ACT Score Calculations

Example 1: A Student’s Composite Score

Let’s say a student answers:

• English: 65/75 correct → Scaled score: 29
• Math: 50/60 correct → Scaled score: 26
• Reading: 32/40 correct → Scaled score: 27
• Science: 34/40 correct → Scaled score: 30

Composite score:
$ \frac{29 + 26 + 27 + 30}{4} = \frac{112}{4} = 28 $

Example 2: Including the Writing Section

If the same student scores a 6 on the Writing section, their final report would show:

• Composite Score: 28
• Writing Score: 6

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Calculating ACT Scores

1. Adding Section Scores Incorrectly
   Some students mistakenly add the raw scores of all sections and divide by 4. This is wrong because raw scores are converted to scaled scores first.

2. Ignoring the Writing Section’s Separate Scoring
   The Writing score is not included in the composite. Only the four main sections matter for the 1–36 range.

3. Misunderstanding the 1–36 Scale
   Each section is scored independently, and the composite is an average. A 28 in Math doesn’t “cancel out” a 32 in English.

4. Assuming All Tests Are Equally Difficult
   The ACT uses equating to adjust for test difficulty. A raw score of 50 on a harder test might convert to

ACT Equating and Test‑Difficulty Adjustments

The ACT uses a sophisticated statistical process called equating to ensure that a raw score of 50 on a “harder” test version translates to roughly the same scaled score as a raw 50 on an “easier” version. Each test form contains a unique mix of question difficulty, content distribution, and timing constraints, but the equating tables adjust the conversion so that scores remain comparable across administrations.

• Why it matters: If you take the ACT on a day when the Math section feels unusually challenging, your raw score may be lower, yet the scaled score could still land you in the same percentile as a previous test where you performed better.
• How to use it: Focus on mastering the underlying skills rather than memorizing specific questions. Equating guarantees that your mastery will be reflected in the scaled score, regardless of the particular test you encounter.

Percentiles, Benchmarks, and College Comparisons

Your scaled section scores and composite are placed on a national percentile rank (0–99). This rank tells you how you performed relative to all other test‑takers in the most recent graduating class.

*The ACT publishes College Readiness Benchmarks (e.g., a 22 in English indicates a