Achieving the Highest Possible ACT Score: A Comprehensive Guide

The ACT (originally an abbreviation of American College Testing) is a standardized test widely used for college admissions in the United States. It assesses high school students' general educational development and their ability to complete college-level work. The ACT consists of four mandatory sections: English, Mathematics, Reading, and Science. There is also an optional Writing section. This article delves into the intricacies of the ACT, focusing on the ambitious goal of achieving the highest possible score and what it entails.

Understanding the ACT Score Scale

The ACT is scored on a scale of 1 to 36. Each of the four multiple-choice sections (English, Mathematics, Reading, and Science) is individually scored on a scale of 1-36. The Composite score, which is the average of these four sections, also ranges from 1 to 36. The optional Writing section is scored separately on a scale of 2-12 and does not affect the Composite score.

How the ACT is Scored

The ACT counts the number of questions you answer correctly in each section. There are no points deducted for incorrect answers, so it is always advantageous to attempt every question, even if you are unsure of the correct answer. Each question answered correctly is worth one raw point. The raw score for each section is then converted to a scaled score ranging from 1 to 36.

The Composite score is rounded to the nearest whole number. This means that you don’t need to score a perfect 36 on all 4 sections to achieve a Composite score of 36. For example, if you score a 36 in three sections and a 35 in the fourth, your average score would be 35.5, which rounds up to 36.

Average ACT Scores

According to ACT.org, the average Composite score for the class of 2024 was 19.4. This number provides a benchmark against which to measure your performance. However, it's crucial to remember that a "good" ACT score is subjective and depends on your individual goals and college preferences.

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What Constitutes a "Good" ACT Score?

A "good" ACT score varies greatly from person to person, depending on their individual goals and college preferences. The standard for what is considered a "good" ACT score will differ based on the selectivity and academic rigor of the colleges you have in mind. Different colleges have varying average ACT score ranges. While some universities may look for students with scores in the 30s, others may consider scores in the mid-20s as competitive. To get a clear understanding of what score you should aim for, research the average ACT scores of the schools you're interested in.

College Acceptance Ranges

Colleges consider a range of ACT scores when making admissions decisions, giving students some flexibility. Commonly, students with scores in the range of 20-23 are still considered competitive at many mid-tier colleges. For more selective schools, a score in the 24-28 range will increase your chances of admission. However, for highly selective institutions, aiming for an ACT score above 30 can significantly enhance your application.

Aiming for Perfection: The Highest Possible ACT Score

The highest possible ACT score a student can earn is a 36. This number refers to the Composite score, which is the average score of the four parts of the test: English, Mathematics, Science, and Reading. The Writing portion is optional and is graded separately.

Is a Perfect Score Achievable?

While most students may aim to get the highest possible ACT score of 36, it can be a challenging goal. More competitive schools tend to accept students who have higher ACT scores. Students looking to apply to these schools should note the highest ACT scores as this could increase their chances of getting an acceptance letter. While it isn’t easy to attain the highest score on the ACT, it is possible. In 2024 only, 3,041 of the 1,374,791 students scored a 36 on the ACT test.

The Rarity of a Perfect Score

According to ACT, out of the 1,374,791 students in the class of 2024 who took the ACT, only 3,041 earned the highest possible ACT score. This statistic underscores the difficulty of achieving a perfect score and highlights the dedication and preparation required.

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What a Perfect Score Signifies

Right off the bat, scoring a 36 puts you in the 100 percentile, which is impressive. A 100 percentile indicates that you scored higher than or as high as all others who took the test. It means you’re the best of the best when it comes to the ACT test. With a 36 ACT score, you can apply to the most selective colleges that have high minimum cut-offs. Want to apply to an Ivy League school?

Strategies for Achieving a High ACT Score

If you’re aiming for a 36, you’re going to have to start early with your prep. Here are some effective strategies to help you maximize your ACT score:

1. Take a Practice Test

One of the first steps you should take when it comes to ACT prep is taking a practice test. Before you even study for the ACT, it may be a good idea to take an ACT practice test right out of the gate. See how you do with minimal prep and practice.

2. Identify Strengths and Weaknesses

One of the biggest benefits of taking ACT practice tests is the ability to identify your strengths and weaknesses on the exam. Some may find at this point they’re better suited for the SAT, too! After your first practice test, score it.

3. Targeted Studying

Once you know where your weaknesses are, you can start to study. If you did poorly on the ACT math but well on the other three sections, for example, you will want to dedicate more time to Math. In between study periods, it can be helpful to take additional practice tests here and there. This approach will allow you to track your progress. Practice tests should direct your studying approach, but your ACT prep shouldn’t 100% be taken up by practice tests either.

4. Time Management

Studying is essential, but it isn’t all there is to the ACT. Students actually find while they can tackle the subject matter just fine, they truly struggle with the time constraints. For the Math section, you get exactly one minute per question. For English and Reading, you get less than a minute.

5. Consider a Tutor

Another way to prepare for the ACT is to work with a tutor! This may be someone in your local area, through your high school, or through an online program. ACT tutors, however, can be expensive, and aren’t for everyone. Students interested in working with a tutor should compare their options before deciding.

6. Early and Repeated Testing

The sooner you take your first ACT the better. You can even view it as a practice test! A 36 is unlikely to happen during your very first ACT test! Instead, you will want to keep taking the official ACT to keep trying for the top score.

7. Understand the Test Structure

The required portion of the ACT is divided into three multiple-choice subject tests: English, mathematics, and reading. Subject test scores, including the optional science section, range from 1 to 36; all scores are integers. The English, mathematics, and reading tests also have subscores ranging from 1 to 18 (the subject score is not the sum of the subscores).

8. Section-Specific Strategies

English: The 45-minute English test covers usage/mechanics, sentence structure, and rhetorical skills. The 75-question test consists of five passages with various sections underlined on one side of the page and options to correct the underlined portions on the other side of the page.
Mathematics: The 60-minute, 60-question math test includes questions covering pre-algebra, elementary algebra, intermediate algebra, plane geometry, coordinate geometry, and elementary trigonometry. Calculators are permitted in this section only, with specific restrictions on the types of calculators allowed.
Reading: The reading section is a 35-minute, 40-question test that consists of four sections, three of which contain one long prose passage and one which contains two shorter prose passages. This reading test assesses skills in three general categories: key ideas and details, craft and structure, and integration of knowledge and ideas.
Science: The optional science section is a 35-minute, 40-question test. There are seven passages each followed by five to seven questions. The passages have three different formats: Data Representation, Research Summary, and Conflicting Viewpoints.

9. The Optional Writing Section

The optional writing section, which is always administered at the end of the test, is 40 minutes. While no particular essay structure is required, the essays must be in response to a given prompt; the prompts are about broad social issues, and students must analyze three different perspectives given and show how their opinion relates to these perspectives.

The Role of ACT Scores in College Admissions

While ACT scores do play a role in the admissions process, it's essential to remember that they are just one aspect considered by colleges. Admissions committees also look at your high school transcript, extracurricular activities, essays, and other factors to assess your overall potential as a student.

Test-Optional Policies

While ACT scores are an important part of your application, they’re just one piece of the puzzle. And increasingly, many schools are test-optional. Even at test-optional schools, your ACT score can give you an edge. If you're applying to test-optional schools and you’ve earned a score that falls within (or above) the college’s typical range, submit it.

Superscoring

ACT’s superscoring policy allows colleges to consider your best scores across multiple test dates. This can be a significant advantage, as it allows you to focus on improving your weaker sections without worrying about negatively impacting your overall score.

The Benefits of a High ACT Score

Earning the highest ACT score possible could increase your chances of receiving that coveted acceptance letter. A high ACT score can also help you qualify for college merit scholarships. Many colleges begin offering merit aid to students with ACT scores in the mid-to-high 20s.

Interpreting Your ACT Score Report

Score reports help students get the most from their test results. Users wishing to drill down further into what their scores mean can directly reference Reporting Category information found in their score reports. Your national ranks tell you how your scores compare to those earned by recent high school graduates who took the ACT.

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