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Updated on Feb 03, 2023 1:14 PM IST
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Aarushi Jain
Updated on Feb 03, 2023 1:14 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.
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.
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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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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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.
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