How is the ACT Scored?

What Students Should Know About the ACT

How is the ACT Scored?

Lesson by Linnea Newman

Magoosh Expert

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Lesson by Linnea Newman

Magoosh Expert

Summary

ACT scoring starts with raw points for correct answers and then converts those totals into scaled section scores, percentile rankings, and a composite score that colleges often use most heavily. Knowing how raw scores, experimental questions, optional section scores, averages, percentiles, and superscoring work helps you set realistic goals and make smarter testing decisions.

Raw scores equal the number of questions answered correctly in each section, with no penalty for wrong answers; current raw totals are 50 for English, 45 for Math, 36 for Reading, and 40 for Science.
Experimental field-test questions are now built into regular sections, do not count toward your score, and cannot be identified during the exam, so every question should be treated as important.
Each section’s raw score converts to a scaled score from 1 to 36, and conversion charts vary by test form, so practice-test scoring should always use the matching chart.
Optional sections produce additional scores: Science gives its own 1 to 36 scaled score, Writing gives one overall 2 to 12 score plus four 2 to 12 domain scores, and STEM and ELA scores are averages based on specific section combinations.
The composite score is the rounded average of English, Math, and Reading scaled scores, and it is typically the score colleges compare most directly in admissions.
Percentiles and mean scores show how performance compares to other test takers; mean section and composite scores usually sit around 19 to 20, with 17 to 24 generally falling in the average range.
Superscoring combines the highest section results from multiple test dates, can raise the overall reported result, and is useful when colleges accept it; strong strategy also includes guessing instead of leaving blanks, using scaled-score ranges for goal setting, and considering a retake.

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