Understanding the ACT Composite Score: A Comprehensive Guide

Are you feeling a little lost when it comes to your ACT scores? Don't worry, because this article will break down ACT scores and help you understand what they mean for your college application process. The ACT (formerly known as American College Testing) is a standardized test 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 required multiple-choice tests: English, Mathematics, Reading, and Science, and an optional Writing Test.

How the ACT is Scored

To figure out your ACT® score, start by counting how many questions you got right in each section. This is your raw score. Then, use a conversion chart to turn that raw score into a scale score between 1 and 36. Here’s how ACT scoring works. You’re given a point for every question you get right (there’s no penalty or point deduction for wrong answers). The total number of questions you get right on each test (English, Math, Reading, and Science) equals your raw score. Your raw score for each test is then converted into a scale score (1-36).

Calculating the Composite Score

The score range for each of the four multiple-choice tests is 1-36. Your composite score, or overall ACT score, is the average of your scores on each test. Add up your English, Math, Reading, and Science scores and divide by 4. (Round to the nearest whole number). For example, if you scored 25 in English, 28 in Math, 22 in Reading, and 24 in Science, your composite score would be (25 + 28 + 22 + 24) / 4 = 24.75, which rounds to 25.

The Writing Test Score

The writing test score is a little more complicated. If you take the ACT Plus Writing (which will ask you to write an essay), your writing will be evaluated by two readers. Both readers score your essay on a scale of 1-6 in four different areas (learn more about the ACT essay here ). The ACT essay score will appear on your score report on a scale from 2-12. ACT also reports an English Language Arts (ELA) score out of 36, which represents your overall performance on the English, reading, and writing tests, but this value is NOT included in your ACT Composite Score calculation.

Understanding Your Score Report

You’ve answered the questions and we’ve scored the results. The first thing you’ll see on your ACT score report is a chart with your composite score and section scores. Each test score (English, mathematics, reading, science) and your Composite score range from 1 (low) to 36 (high).

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Composite score: This is the biggie-your overall ACT score. When someone asks, Hey, how’d you do on the ACT?, this is the score they’re referring to. The composite score is the average of your four main section scores (math, science, English, and reading).
English: This is how you did on the English section, out of a possible 36 points. The ACT English test puts an examinee in the position of a writer who makes decisions to revise and edit a text. Short texts and essays in different genres provide a variety of rhetorical situations.
Mathematics: This is how you did on the Mathematics section, out of a possible 36 points. The ACT mathematics test assesses the skills students typically acquire in courses taken through grade 11. The material covered on the test emphasizes the major content areas that are prerequisites to successful performance in entry-level courses in college mathematics.
Reading: This is how you did on the Reading section, out of a possible 36 points. The ACT reading test measures the ability to read closely, reason logically about texts using evidence, and integrate information from multiple sources. The test questions focus on the mutually supportive skills that readers must bring to bear in studying written materials across a range of subject areas.
Science: This is how you did on the Science section, out of a possible 36 points. The ACT science test measures the interpretation, analysis, evaluation, reasoning, and problem-solving skills required in the natural sciences. The test presents several authentic scientific scenarios, each followed by a number of multiple-choice test questions. The content of the test includes biology, chemistry, Earth/space sciences (e.g., geology, astronomy, and meteorology), and physics.
Writing (ELA): If you took the essay section, this is your essay score. ELA: You’ll only get an ELA score if you took the Writing Test. The optional ACT writing test is an essay test that measures writing skills taught in high school English classes and entry level college composition courses. The test consists of one writing prompt that describes a complex issue and provides three different perspectives on the issue. You are asked to read the prompt and write an essay in which you develop your own perspective on the issue. Your essay must analyze the relationship between your own perspective and one or more other perspectives.

Reporting Categories

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. Each reporting category includes the total number of questions in that category, the total number of questions in that category you answered correctly, and the percentage of questions correct. This breaks your performance down by topic or question type, which can help you decide which areas you need to focus on the most during your ACT prep sessions.

Raw count versus percentage: It’s tempting to just look at the bar graphs that show you the percentage of each question type that you answered correctly. For instance, in math, that 22% on Statistics and Probability looks pretty bad-clearly, you’d want to spend a lot of time on that topic, right? Not necessarily. If you look at the question counts, the student only missed 4 questions on that topic.
Topics or skills that are connected: Especially on the math side of things, some skills are linked to one another. For example, Integrating Essential Skills questions address concepts typically learned in middle school. These topics often influence a student’s understanding of later concepts in algebra or geometry.

National Ranks

Your national ranks tell you how your scores compare to those earned by recent high school graduates who took the ACT. Your ranks show how you performed compared to recent high school graduates who took the ACT. graduates who took the ACT. Knowing how you did compared to other students can give you context on your performance, but it won’t tell you how much your score will help you in achieving your college goals. This table reflects how your ACT Composite score compares to other test-takers nationwide. Percentile ranks indicate the percentage of students who scored at or below a particular score.

What is Considered a "Good" ACT Score?

During your college application process having an ACT score can help you realize your dream of going to college. It is important to keep in mind that a "good" ACT score can vary 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. To get a clear understanding of what score you should aim for, research the average ACT scores of the schools you're interested in.

While there isn't a one-size-fits-all answer, a “good” ACT score is generally considered to be above the national average, which was 19.4 as of 2024. The average Composite score for the Class of 2024 was 19.4. 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. Scoring a 27 on the ACT® puts you in the 86th percentile of test takers. Scoring a 30 on your ACT® may put you within striking distance of the Ivy Leagues, but it’s tough to say if it’d be good enough for gaining an acceptance into one. For Harvard, Yale, and Princeton, you’d most likely be on the outside looking in. A 36 on the ACT® is a great score and the equivalent of a perfect score. When reviewing the ACT® scores national norms data, we found that the typical ACT® score ranges between 18-20 depending on the section.

Minimum ACT Score Accepted by Colleges

In general, the lowest ACT score that colleges will accept varies from institution to institution. However, most colleges have a minimum requirement of 18 or 20 on the ACT. According to the ACT itself, many colleges won't accept a score below the 18-20 range.

ACT College Readiness Benchmarks

The purple lines on your score report show the ACT College Readiness Benchmarks in each section. ACT has conducted research to estimate the scores at which students are most likely to succeed in college courses. So, in the example above, this student scored just a bit higher than the College Readiness Benchmark for Reading. The Benchmarks are scores on the ACT subject-area tests that represent the level of achievement required for students to have a 50% chance of obtaining a B or higher or about a 75% chance of obtaining a C or higher in corresponding credit-bearing first-year college courses. These college courses include English composition, college algebra, introductory social science courses, and biology. The ACT College Readiness Benchmarks are the minimum ACT scores required for students to have a high probability of success in credit-bearing first-year college courses. Students who meet a benchmark on the ACT have approximately a 50% chance of earning a B or better and approximately a 75% chance of earning a C or better in the corresponding college course or courses.

Benchmarks for the ACT STEM and ELA scores were developed separately from the other benchmarks because these scores each incorporate multiple subject areas and academic skills - math and science for STEM, and English, reading, and writing for ELA. The STEM benchmark was based on a combination of typical first-year math and science college courses taken by students majoring in STEM fields, specifically, calculus, biology, chemistry, physics and engineering. Data came from nearly 80 institutions and included more than 84,000 students. The ELA benchmark was based on a combination of typical first-year English and social science college courses, specifically, English composition, American history, other history, psychology, sociology, political science, and economics. Data came from 233 institutions and included more than 198,000 students.

ACT research suggests that academic readiness for STEM coursework may require higher scores than those suggested by the ACT College Readiness Benchmarks given that Calculus instead of College Algebra is the typical first math course for students in a STEM major. The ACT STEM score benchmark of 26 is associated with at least a 50% chance of earning a B or higher in a STEM-related course. A student’s STEM score is the average of his or her Math and Science scores. The ELA Readiness Benchmark represents the level of achievement necessary for students to have a 50% chance of obtaining a B or higher or about a 75% chance of obtaining a C or higher in a combination of typical first-year English and social science college courses. These courses include English composition, American history, other history, psychology, sociology, political science, and economics.

Factors Colleges Consider Beyond ACT Scores

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. Colleges usually try to take into account individual strengths and weaknesses as they place students in first-year courses. For example, a college may offer three sections of a subject-developmental, regular, and advanced. Some scholarship programs may use ACT test results with other information such as high school grades to identify qualified candidates. However, the programs may not look at academic potential alone. The ACT score report provides information about a student's educational needs, extracurricular achievements, and educational plans.

High School Course/Grade Information and ACT Interest Inventory

Subject scores aren't the only things included in the ACT score report. To increase the usefulness of ACT results, the High School Course/Grade questions ask students about the courses they have completed or plan to take in high school and the grades they have received. The 72-item ACT Interest Inventory helps students explore personally relevant career options.

Retaking the ACT and Superscoring

Many students take the ACT more than once to improve their results. Unless you scored a perfect 36, you can always improve. Bonus: ACT’s superscoring policy allows colleges to consider your best scores across multiple test dates.

What is ACT Superscoring?

ACT® superscores are easy to compute. All you need to do is collect all of your past ACT® score reports. Total your highest scores, and then divide it by four.

The ACT Online

Students who take the ACT online will see a new, shorter format. The Science section is now optional. Writing (the essay) remains optional and does not affect your Composite score. Note: Some international, accommodations-based, or special testing programs may transition to the online format on a different timeline.

ACT and College Admissions

Understanding what ACT scores colleges accept and what they consider "good" is a valuable piece of information for any aspiring college student. Keep in mind that each college has its own set of requirements, and what might be considered acceptable at one institution may be different elsewhere. Therefore, it is important to aim for a score that reflects your abilities and showcases your potential.

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.

Checking Specific School Requirements

Most schools report the middle 50% range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students. Want to check a specific school? Need help building your strategy? Do your scores fall well within the range? Do your scores fall in the lower end of the school’s average range? Don’t be discouraged!

ACT Score Validity and Reporting Concerns

Through the years, many postsecondary institutions and high school counselors have asked us how they should use ACT test scores sent to them by students who have taken the ACT more than once. You can report concerns using ACT's Score Inquiry form. ACT will review the inquiry and investigate the validity of the scores. For privacy reasons, ACT is generally unable to discuss the details of an Individual Score Review with anyone other than the examinee unless the examinee expressly authorizes us to do so.

We are committed to keeping our score scales consistent and stable. The ACT is administered across the US multiple times annually on multiple separate dates. Reporting may take longer for a variety of reasons, including late-arriving answer documents, discrepancies in student matching data, and unpaid student fees.

ACT Score and Merit Scholarships

Your ACT score can help you qualify for college merit scholarships. No. Many-but not all-colleges begin offering merit aid to students with ACT scores in the mid-to-high 20s.

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