Enter your raw scores below to calculate your scaled ACT scores and see detailed visualizations
English
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Math
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Reading
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Science
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Composite Score
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Average of your four section scores
The ACT consists of four sections: English, Math, Reading, and Science. Each section is scored on a scale of 1-36. Here's how the scoring works:
For each section, your raw score is simply the number of questions you answered correctly. There's no penalty for wrong answers.
Your raw score for each section is converted to a scale score between 1 and 36 using the official ACT conversion tables. This conversion accounts for slight variations in difficulty between different test versions.
Your composite score is the average of your four section scores, rounded to the nearest whole number. For example, if your section scores are 24, 28, 26, and 30, your composite would be (24+28+26+30)/4 = 27.
Note: The ACT also provides subscores and STEM scores, but the composite score is the most commonly used metric for college admissions.
| Raw Score | English (75) | Math (60) | Reading (40) | Science (40) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36 | 75 | 59-60 | 40 | 40 |
| 30 | 66 | 50 | 34 | 34 |
| 25 | 56 | 38 | 29 | 28 |
| 20 | 42 | 29 | 22 | 21 |
| 15 | 30 | 15 | 16 | 15 |
This table shows sample raw-to-scale score conversions. The exact conversion varies slightly by test date.
ACT scores range from 1 to 36 for each section and for the composite score. Here's what the score ranges typically mean:
Top 5% of test-takers. Competitive for Ivy League and top-tier universities.
Top 25% of test-takers. Competitive for most state universities and many private colleges.
Middle 50% of test-takers. Meets requirements for many colleges.
Bottom 25% of test-takers. May need improvement for college admission.
A "good" ACT score depends on your college goals. Here's how to determine what score you should aim for:
Research the middle 50% ACT score range for admitted students at your target colleges. Aim to be at or above the 75th percentile for competitive schools.
Many colleges offer merit-based scholarships for ACT scores above certain thresholds (often 27+ for state schools, 30+ for more competitive scholarships).
| College Type | Composite Score Range | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Ivy League/Top Tier | 33-36 | Harvard, Stanford, MIT |
| Highly Selective | 30-33 | UC Berkeley, UMichigan |
| Selective | 24-30 | Ohio State, Texas A&M |
| Less Selective | 18-24 | Many state universities |
The highest possible ACT composite score is 36. This is achieved by averaging four perfect 36 section scores. Only about 0.2% of test-takers achieve a perfect 36 each year.
Our calculator uses the most recent ACT scoring data available to provide accurate scale score conversions. While the exact conversion tables vary slightly by test date, our calculator will give you a very close approximation of your likely ACT scores.
No, the ACT does not penalize for wrong answers. Your raw score is based only on the number of questions you answer correctly. This means you should always answer every question, even if you have to guess.
The number varies by section and test date, but generally:
Multiple-choice scores are typically available online within 10 days after your test date, but can take up to 8 weeks. If you took the ACT with writing, your writing scores will be added about 2 weeks after your multiple-choice scores.
You can take the ACT up to 12 times total, with a maximum of 7 attempts through national testing. Most students take the ACT 2-3 times to achieve their best possible score. Many colleges superscore the ACT, meaning they'll consider your highest section scores across all test dates.
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