ACT 2023 Scoring Chart: Check how to calculate your score

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.

Check out the following links to find out everything you need to know about ACT exams and the different sections of the test.

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 scores 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 ACT scale score based on the official ACT scoring sheet.

What is ACT Composite Score?

The ACT composite score refers to the average score you obtained across the four sections of the test. Commonly, the ACT composite score is calculated based on the raw scores you were able to obtain in the test. To calculate the ACT composite score, you would need to add up the raw scores of all four sections and divide the sum by four to receive the composite score.

For instance, if you were able to secure an ACT raw score of 32 in English, 30 in Mathematics, 31 in Reading and 33 in Science, then your ACT composite score would equate to 31.5.

According to the current ACT exam policies, if your composite score ends up in a fraction, then those numbers will be rounded off to the closest whole number. In case the fraction is below ‘.5.’ then your ACT composite score will be rounded down and if the fraction is ‘.5’ and above, then your ACT composite score will be rounded. In the example given above, the composite score equated to 31.5, which would further be rounded up to 32, as per ACT exam policies.

What is ACT Superscore?

Unlike the composite score, where the sum of all the sectional scores obtained by the candidate is divided by 4, the ACT superscore is calculated by combining the best scores obtained in each section from the different ACT attempts. Some universities in USA may consider the ACT superscore to enrol candidates to their undergraduate programmes.

Check out the table below to better understand how ACT superscores are calculated.

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 Score 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.

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

You may have heard the word “percentile” being used around in conversations relating to scores, regardless of the examination. In the case of ACT scores, percentiles allow students to gauge their position in relation to the other test-takers.

Since the ACT scores are considered between the scale of 1-36, which means that scoring an ACT result of 28 or above will put you in a good position to enrol in some of the top-tier universities. In your ACT score report, you will receive an ACT score percentile, which you can use to determine your performance compared to other test-takers.

And thus, if you are looking to attempt the ACT exam to apply for bachelors in USA, then you can refer to this article to understand how your ACT scores are calculated and used for your admission to different programmes.

If you still need help understanding the test, register and connect with our team of study abroad counsellors and raise all your doubts and queries regarding the test.