ACT Score Calculator

Your ACT composite score is the average of your four section scaled scores — English, Math, Reading, and Science — rounded to the nearest whole number. Each section is scored on a scale of 1 to 36, and the composite is simply the mean of all four. For example, if you score 28, 30, 26, and 28, your composite would be (28+30+26+28)/4 = 28. See also our calculate GMAT Score.

Your raw score is simply the number of questions you answered correctly — there is no penalty for wrong answers on the ACT. That raw score is then converted to a scaled score of 1–36 using a conversion chart. The conversion varies slightly between test administrations to account for differences in difficulty, which is why the ACT is sometimes said to be 'curved.'

Not exactly in the traditional sense. ACT, Inc. adjusts the raw-to-scaled conversion for each test administration to ensure that a 25, for example, represents the same level of performance regardless of which test date you took. This process is called equating, not curving. It means a slightly harder test may require fewer correct answers to achieve the same scaled score.

The national average composite score is around 20–21. A score of 24 or above puts you in roughly the top 25% of test-takers, while a 30+ places you in the top 5%. For highly selective colleges and Ivy League schools, competitive applicants typically score 33–36. 'Good' ultimately depends on the admissions requirements of your target schools. You might also find our SAT Score Calculator useful.

Beginning in April 2025, ACT introduced an enhanced digital format. The new test has 4 sections with updated question counts: English (75), Math (60), Reading (40), and Science (40). The scoring scale still runs from 1–36 per section with a composite average, but the raw score conversion tables have been updated to reflect the new format.

On the current ACT, English has 75 questions, Math has 60 questions, Reading has 40 questions, and Science has 40 questions, for a total of 215 questions. An optional Writing (essay) section may also be available but does not affect your composite score.

The optional ACT Writing Test is scored separately from the four main sections and does not affect your composite score. Two trained readers each score your essay on four domains (Ideas and Analysis, Development and Support, Organization, and Language Use) on a scale of 1–6. The scores are combined and averaged to produce a final Writing score of 2–12.

A 30 is a strong score, but most Ivy League and similarly selective universities look for composites of 34–36 among their admitted students. However, the ACT is just one component of your application — extracurriculars, essays, GPA, and recommendations also matter significantly. Some Ivy applicants with scores below 34 are admitted each year based on their overall profile.