How Is the ACT Scored? Full Breakdown

Thinking about taking the ACT?

You’re in good company—more than 1.4 million students take the ACT each year to boost their college admissions chances. But understanding how the test is scored is just as crucial as preparing for it.

For the class of 2024—students whose high school experience was shaped by pandemic-era disruptions—the average composite score was just 19.4. Knowing how your score is calculated can help you set realistic goals, track your progress, and interpret your results with confidence.

In this guide, I break it all down: raw scores, section scores, and how they come together to form the all-important composite. Let’s dive in.

Key Takeaways

• ACT scores are scaled for fairness: Your raw scores (correct answers) are converted to scale scores from 1 to 36 to ensure consistency across test dates.
• The composite ACT score is an average: Your overall ACT score is the average of your section scores, which are now often just English, math, and reading, if you skip science.
• Science is now optional: Starting in April 2025 (online) and September 2025 (paper), the science section is optional and will be scored separately if taken.
• No penalty for wrong answers: You won’t lose points for incorrect responses, so always guess rather than leave a question blank.
• Writing scores are separate: The optional essay is scored from 2 to 12 based on four domain scores and does not affect your composite score.

The Basics of ACT Scoring

The ACT is made up of four main multiple-choice sections:

• English
• Math
• Reading
• (Optional) Science

As of April 2025 for online test takers and September 2025 for paper test takers, the science section is optional. This is part of the new Enhanced ACT, which shortens the test while maintaining its core purpose: assessing your readiness for college-level work.

The ACT also offers an optional writing test, commonly referred to as the ACT essay. While fewer schools require the ACT writing scores, some selective programs may still recommend or require them.

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From Raw Score to Scale Score

So, how is your ACT score calculated?

Let’s start with the raw score, which is simply the number of correct answers you get on each section. There’s no penalty for wrong answers, so always guess if you’re unsure. Skipping a question gives you no advantage over guessing incorrectly.

Once raw scores are tallied, they’re converted into scale scores. Each section score ranges from 1 to 36, regardless of the total number of questions or the specific test form you take.

This scaling ensures fairness across different test dates and versions. In other words, a scaled math score of 28 means the same thing whether you took the ACT in April or October.

Your ACT Composite Score

Your composite ACT score is the average of your four test scores: English, math, reading, and, if taken, science. If you skip the science section (now optional), your composite will be based on the remaining three.

Here’s how it works:

1. Add your section scores (e.g., 28 English, 25 math, 27 reading, 24 science).
2. Divide by 4.
3. Round to the nearest whole number.

In this case, the composite score would be (28 + 25 + 27 + 24) ÷ 4 = 26.

If you didn’t take science, you’d average just the other three. That new rule is part of the redesigned test format, and your score reports will clearly indicate whether you took science.

A Closer Look at Section Scores

Each section of the ACT assesses different skills:

English

Scored on 75 questions, the English section breaks into reporting categories like:

• Rhetorical skills
• Grammar and usage (conventions of standard English)
• Knowledge of language

Math

There are 60 math questions, covering areas like:

• Algebra
• Geometry
• Functions
• Number & quantity
• Statistics & probability

Both math and science scores reflect your ability to interpret information and solve problems, but only math is required on every test.

Reading

This 40-question section focuses on:

• Key ideas and details
• Craft and structure
• Integration of knowledge and ideas

Science (Optional Starting in 2025)

The science section score (if taken) comes from 40 questions in:

• Data representation
• Scientific investigation
• Evaluation of models and experiments

Although it’s optional, taking the science section can be beneficial if you’re applying to STEM programs or want to demonstrate strength in analytical thinking.

What About the ACT Writing Test?

The ACT writing score (also referred to as the ACT essay score) is entirely separate. It ranges from 2 to 12, based on four domain scores:

• Ideas and analysis
• Development and support
• Organization
• Language use and conventions

Each domain is scored by two readers. If their scores differ by more than one point, a third reader steps in. The final writing score is the average of the four domain scores, not a composite. If you take the writing test, you’ll also receive an ELA score, which combines your English, reading, and writing performance. This is especially useful for humanities-focused applicants.

How Do ACT Scores Compare?

Many students ask how ACT scores compare to the SAT or other College Board exams. While both aim to measure college readiness, they use different scoring scales—the ACT is scored on a 1–36 composite scale, while the SAT ranges from 400 to 1600.

To help bridge this gap, ACT and the College Board created official concordance tables. These allow students, counselors, and admissions officers to interpret how an ACT score might translate to the SAT—and vice versa.

Here are some key points to keep in mind:

• Score Equivalency Example: An ACT composite score of 24 typically aligns with an SAT score of around 1180–1200, based on concordance charts.
• No One-to-One Match: Because the two tests assess different skills (e.g., ACT includes science; SAT emphasizes evidence-based reading), conversions are estimates—not perfect matches.
• Use for Target Setting: If you’ve already taken one test, use the concordance chart to set a target score for the other if you decide to switch.
• Colleges Accept Either: Nearly all U.S. colleges accept both ACT and SAT scores, so focus on the test that suits your strengths.
• Some Students Try Both: It’s not uncommon for students to take both tests at least once to see which better fits their test-taking style, then submit their stronger score.

Score Reports and National Ranks

When your score report arrives, you’ll see more than just numbers. You’ll find:

• Scale score for each section
• Composite ACT score
• National ranks (percentile comparisons)
• Score ranges (your expected performance on a retake)
• Reporting category breakdowns (like rhetorical skills or data interpretation)

Your national rank shows how your scores stack up against other test takers nationwide. For example, if you score in the 75th percentile, you performed better than 75% of students who took the ACT.

What Is a Good ACT Score?

This is one of the most frequently asked questions, and the answer depends on your specific goals.

Generally, the average ACT score is around 19–21, although it may vary slightly from year to year. That means scoring in the mid-20s puts you ahead of most high school students.

But what’s a good score? That depends on your college list:

• For more selective schools (like Ivy League or top public universities), aim for a composite score in the 30s.
• For mid-tier schools, a score between 23 and 27 is often competitive.
• For community colleges and less selective schools, scores in the high teens may still be accepted.

Always research the average ACT scores of your target colleges. Admissions websites typically list the ACT section score ranges of admitted students, which helps you set realistic goals.

Final Thoughts

The ACT isn’t just about one big number; it’s a detailed, multi-part assessment that gives colleges insight into your unique strengths. Whether you’re aiming for a perfect score, looking to boost your math and science performance, or wondering how your writing score factors in, understanding how the ACT is scored helps you test smarter—not harder.

And remember: a good ACT score isn’t just about impressing admissions officers. It’s about unlocking college courses, scholarships, and future opportunities that align with your goals.

If you’re worried about your score or simply want to gain an edge, investing in one of my recommended ACT prep courses can make a big difference. With expert strategies, realistic practice tests, and guided study plans, you’ll feel more confident—and prepared—when test day arrives.

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