The wait for ACT results—whether from a real test administration or from a practice test—can be stressful. Once you actually receive your scores though, how can you interpret them, and how are they calculated?
Understanding your ACT score
Having a firm grasp on how the ACT is scored is important so that you can form an effective test strategy. Here's what you should know:
- Each multiple-choice section of the ACT—English, Math, Reading, and Science—is scored on a scale of 1-36.
- Your composite score will be the average of the four multiple-choice section scores. Let's say, for example, that you receive a 24 in English, a 23 in Math, a 21 in Reading, and a 20 in Science. Your composite score will be
24 + 23 + 21 + 20 4 =22. - The average of the four scores will always be rounded to the nearest whole number in order to create the composite. So, for instance, if the average of your four multiple-choice scores is 22.25, your composite will be 22. If, on the other hand, the average of your multiple-choice scores is 22.5, your composite will be 23.
- You are not penalized for incorrect answers.
How does ACT scoring affect test strategy?
Generally speaking, the most important number in your score is your composite, and you can raise that number by raising the score of any of your multiple-choice scores. So, when you prep, you can focus not necessarily on your lowest score, but on the score that's easiest to increase, which might actually be one of your higher scores.
Additionally, because there are no penalty points for incorrect answers, you should absolutely guess on every question. Never leave an answer blank. If you reach the point at which you have less than one minute remaining and realize that you don't have enough time to finish a section, stop whatever you're doing and enter answers for all of the remaining questions. You may be surprised at the number of additional points you earn!
Need more individualized advice?
The recommendations above are general suggestions. If you have specific questions, reach out to our experts here. We’re happy to help in any way we can.
