All about ACT Scoring System
The ACT has four sections, sometimes called subject areas: English, Math, Reading, and Science. You will get scaled score 1-36 for each subject. Those area scores are then averaged into your composite score (1-36).
Raw ACT Scores to Scaled Score
Your raw score is simply the total number of questions you answer correctly in each section. Your scaled score comes from obtained from raw score. The ACT provides a table for this conversion.
Figure 1: Sample ACT Score Conversion Table
Composite ACT Score Calculation
- Your composite score is simply the average of your four area scores.
- If you got a 24 on the Math section, 23 on Science, 26 on Reading, and 25 on English. Your composite score would be: (24 + 23 + 26 + 25) / 4 = 24.5 = 25 (Rounded up)
ACT Sub scores
- The ACT also gives you sub scores in English, Math, and Reading.
- Sub score checks your strengths and weaknesses in each subject.
- Sub scores (1-18) and scaled form your raw score.
- Colleges care most about your composite score not sub score.
- Sub score just gives you more information about your performance.
Additional Composite Score (ELA and STEM)
- ACT Organization now takes English, Reading, and Writing together to give you one ELA score.
- Math and Science together to give you one STEM score.
For better understanding, you can refer ACT Diagnostic Report to get insights beyond scores. Socrato’s Companion Series helps you get the most from your Official Study Guide.
