ACT 2023 Scoring Chart: Check how to calculate your score

  • Mode

    Online

vector vector vector vector vector
Mrunmayai Bobade logo

Mrunmayai Bobade
Updated on May 01, 2023 12:13 PM IST

The ACT is scored on a scale of 1-36. Students receive an ACT score based on the number of questions answered correctly in each section. Those section scores are averaged to ascertain your composite score, which is eventually rounded to the nearest whole number.

The ACT scoring chart enables one to determine what score they have achieved and what should be their target score in order to get into their desired universities and colleges in the US or other countries.

ACT 2023 Scoring Chart

When understanding the ACT scoring sheet, it is important to understand the difference between the ACT raw scores and ACT scale scores. To calculate the ACT scale scores, candidates will require the ACT raw scores, which, with the help of a conversion table (one similar to the table below), you can then convert into scale scores.

In all cases, you will be required to have your ACT raw scores to calculate the scale, composite or super scores, which are all different types of scores that can be used for the purpose of admission to USA universities. Here is how you can calculate the respective ACT scores for the purpose of applying to top universities in the USA.

Know More About ACT Scoring Chart Here!

ACT Raw Score and ACT Scale Score

As per current ACT exam policies, the ACT scale scores are scored on a range of 1-36, whereas, the ACT raw scores refer to the number of questions you were able to correctly answer in your test. (Check out the sample ACT scoring chart given on this page to get an idea of what the ACT raw scores and ACT scales score convert to).

The ACT exam structure defines that each question of each section in the test carries one mark. Moreover, ACT does not punish test-takers for guessing incorrect answers. In other words, your raw scores equate to the total number of correct answers, which will then be converted into an ACT scale score based on the official ACT scoring sheet.

Related Reads:

Everything You Need to Know About ACT Science Section

Everything You Need to Know About ACT Writing Section

Everything You Need to Know About ACT Reading Section

Everything You Need to Know About ACT English Section

What is ACT Composite Score?

The ACT average score you received for all four exam sections on ACT is known as the composite score. Typically, the raw scores that you were able to achieve on the test are used to construct your ACT composite score. You must tally up the raw scores from each of the four ACT sections, then divide the total by four to compute the composite score. For example, if you managed to achieve ACT raw scores of  30 in Maths, 32 in English, 31 in Science, and 33 in Reading, your ACT composite score would be 31.5.

Your ACT composite score will be rounded to the nearest whole number if it is a fraction, which is in line with the most recent ACT exam guidelines. Your ACT composite score will be rounded up if the fraction is greater than ".5" or equal to ".5", and it will be rounded down otherwise. The composite score in the aforementioned case was 31.5, which would then be rounded up to 32 according to the ACT exam norms publicised recently.

What is ACT Superscore?

The ACT Superscore is computed by adding the highest possible scores achieved in each section throughout all of the applicant's ACT attempts as opposed to the composite score, which is determined by dividing the applicant's total sectional scores by four. Several universities in USA may also accept applicants for their undergraduate programmes based on their ACT Superscore. Check out the table below to better understand how ACT superscores are calculated.

Attempts

English

Maths

Reading

Science

Composite

Attempt 1

19

20

23

21

21

Attempt 2

22

22

20

22

22

Attempt 3

20

23

21

21

21

From the table, we can determine that the best scores in each section were, 22 in English (Attempt 2), 23 in Maths (Attempt 3), 23 in Reading (Attempt 1) and 22 in Science (Attempt 2). Thus, the superscore will be calculated using these scores. Your ACT superscore in this case will be the average of the best scores in each section divided by the number of sections, i.e. 4. Therefore, in this case, your superscore will equate to 23.

Sample ACT Scoring Chart

Given below is a sample score chart that has been used to convert the ACT raw scores into ACT scale scores. Commonly, universities use these scaled scores to determine whether a candidate is eligible for admission to different programmes at the undergraduate level.

English Raw Score

Math Raw Score

Reading Raw Score

Science Raw Score

Scale Score

75

59—60

40

40

36

73–74

57–58

39

39

35

71–72

55–56

38

38

34

70

54

37

33

69

53

37

32

68

52

36

36

31

67

50–51

35

35

30

66

49

34

34

29

64–65

47–48

33

33

28

62–63

45–46

32

31–21

27

60–61

43–44

31

30

26

58–59

41–42

30

28–29

25

56–57

38-40

29

26-27

24

53–55

36–37

27–28

24–25

23

51–52

34–35

26

23

22

48–50

33

25

21–22

21

45–47

31–32

23–24

19–20

20

42–44

29–30

22

17–18

19

40–41

27–28

20–21

16

18

38–39

24–26

19

14–15

17

35–37

19–23

18

13

16

33–34

15–18

16–17

12

15

30–32

12–14

14–15

11

14

29

10–11

13

10

13

27–28

8–9

11–12

9

12

25–26

6–7

9–10

8

11

23–24

5

8

7

10

Note: Since the table is a sample ACT score chart, it is advised to only use this for reference purposes only. The official ACT scoring guide will be determined by the exam administrator.

ACT Score Percentile

Even before sitting for any exam, you may have well-heard the word ‘percentile’ mentioned in conversations about scores. Percentiles for the ACT scoring chart enable students to find out where they stand in comparison to other applicants.

Given that the ACT scores are evaluated on a scale of 1 to 36, receiving an ACT score of 28 or higher will give you a good chance of enrolling in some of the best universities overseas. You will be given an ACT score percentile in your ACT score report, which you can use for assessing how you performed to that of other candidates.

In addition thus, if you plan to take the ACT exam to apply for an undergraduate programme in the United States, you may turn to this page to learn how your ACT scores are computed, the way the ACT scoring chart is used, and how are they used for taking admission to various courses of study at foreign universities.

Apply to Top Universities Abroad Based on Your ACT Score!

FAQs on ACT Scoring Chart

What is a good ACT score?

Since the ACT exam is scored on a scale of 1-36, with 36 being the highest you can achieve on any given test, a good ACT score usually ranges above 20, preferably in the high 20s. However, even if you score in the low 20s, you will be able to compete for a seat in some of the best universities and colleges in the USA.

Is ACT composite score needed?

ACT composite score is the average of all four sections of a test, which universities commonly use to determine the eligibility and potential of a prospective student. While you may not need to calculate your ACT composite score on your own, your ACT composite score will keep you relevant enough for some of the best universities in USA.

How are the ACT raw scores converted to scale scores?

The ACT raw scores refer to the total number of correct responses you have given in a test, while the ACT scale scores are converted based on a reference chart. The official ACT scoring guide has not been made public. However, ACT has provided sample ACT scoring charts that will help you understand how ACT raw scores are converted to scale scores.

Do ACT superscores help in applying to top universities in USA?

If you have attempted the ACT exam several times, then most universities will consider the ACT superscores, which is a combination of all the best scores you received in each section of the different attempts. ACT superscores will allow you to have a higher ACT composite score, thus, improving your chances of admission to top universities in USA.

What does 90 percentile in ACT exams mean?

Percentile directly compares your performance with that of the other test-takers, positioning you accordingly. In this case, a 90th percentile means that you were able to perform better than 90 percent of the test-takers while being under the rest of the 10 percent, who performed better. Nevertheless, a 90th percentile will position perfectly to apply to Ivy League colleges in USA.

What ACT score is good for Ivy League Universities in USA?

If you are aspiring to study in one of the Ivy League universities in USA, then it is imperative that you score an ACT scaled score of 30 or above on a scale of 1-36. The higher the ACT score, the better your chances are at enrolling in one of the highly sought-after colleges and universities in USA.

How are ACT raw scores calculated?

ACT raw scores directly corroborate to the total number of correct responses in each of the ACT exam sections. Since there is no negative marking in the exam and each correct answer carries one mark, your individual score in each section refers to the number of correct answers. The combination of these ACT raw scores are then converted into scale scores based on an ACT scoring chart.

Do I need to attempt ACT for admission in USA?

The need for ACT exams for undergraduate admissions in USA will be determined by the degree course that you wish to pursue. However, while many US universities have specified the need for the test, many popular US universities accept international student applications without ACT or SAT scores. Therefore, when shortlisting your desired universities, check the admission processes and requirements for your desired courses as well.

Is ACT better than SAT to study in USA?

Determining a better entrance exam, i.e. SAT vs ACT, for undergraduate studies in USA will be subjective to different parameters and requirements. For instance, some universities and courses may only accept SAT scores while some may only accept ACT whereas others may accept both. Before registering for any exam or applying to any university, check the individual course and university requirements, thus, narrowing down your choices.

Can international students apply to US universities without ACT scores?

Yes, international students may be allowed to apply to US universities without the need of presenting valid ACT scores as hundreds of such universities accept international students based on simply their academic records. Register with us and connect with our team of study abroad counsellors to shortlist and apply to your dream university in the USA.

Colleges accepting ACT

Preparing for ACT?

Interested in Studying Overseas?

Connect with us and kickstart your learning journey for a rewarding experience!

By proceeding ahead you expressly agree to the CollegeDekhoAbroad Terms of Use & Privacy Policy.