ACT® Score Calculator
Calculate your ACT composite score based on the number of correct answers in each section. The ACT consists of 4 sections: English, Mathematics, Reading, and Science. Each section is scored on a scale of 1-36, and the composite score is the average of all four sections rounded to the nearest whole number.
Enter Your Scores
Your Results
Section Scores
ACT Test Structure
| Section | Questions | Time | Content |
|---|---|---|---|
| English | 75 | 45 minutes | Grammar, usage, punctuation, sentence structure, strategy, organization, and style |
| Mathematics | 60 | 60 minutes | Pre-algebra, elementary algebra, intermediate algebra, coordinate geometry, plane geometry, and trigonometry |
| Reading | 40 | 35 minutes | Reading comprehension of prose passages from various subjects |
| Science | 40 | 35 minutes | Interpretation, analysis, evaluation, reasoning, and problem-solving in natural sciences |
Our ACT® Score Calculator is an interactive tool designed to help students predict their composite ACT score based on the number of questions they answer correctly in each section.
By converting raw scores into scaled scores, it provides a clear target for test preparation and helps demystify the ACT scoring process.
How to Use the ACT® Score Calculator
- Enter Your Raw Scores: For each of the four ACT sections (English, Mathematics, Reading, and Science), input the number of questions you answered correctly. You can use either the sliders or the number input boxes.
- View Your Scaled Scores Instantly: As you adjust the inputs, the calculator automatically displays the estimated scaled score (1-36) for each section.
- Get Your Composite Score: The tool instantly calculates your composite ACT score by averaging the four scaled scores and rounding to the nearest whole number.
How the ACT® Scoring System Works
From Raw Score to Scaled Score
Your raw score is simply the number of questions you get right in a section. There is no penalty for guessing, so you should always answer every question . This raw score is then converted into a scaled score between 1 and 36 through a statistical process called “equating”.
This process ensures that scores from different test dates are comparable, even if the difficulty of questions varies slightly. The conversion is not uniform and can differ between administrations, so calculators provide a close estimate based on historical data .
From Scaled Scores to Composite Score
The composite ACT score is the average of your four section scores (English, Math, Reading, and Science), rounded to the nearest whole number. For example, if your section scores are 24, 31, 28, and 25, the average is 27.5, which rounds to a composite score of 28.
| Section | Raw Score (Correct Answers) | Converted Scaled Score |
|---|---|---|
| English | 65 / 75 | 29 |
| Math | 52 / 60 | 27 |
| Reading | 32 / 40 | 28 |
| Science | 31 / 40 | 26 |
| Composite Score | (29 + 27 + 28 + 26) / 4 = 27.5 | 28 |
Important Considerations
- An Estimate, Not a Guarantee: The scores provided are estimates. The actual conversion chart for your specific test date may vary slightly. Official scores from ACT are the definitive record.
- The Enhanced ACT® (2025 and Beyond): Be aware that the ACT has introduced changes for 2025, including a shorter test and an optional Science section. For the enhanced test, the composite score is based only on English, Math, and Reading . Our calculator is based on the pre-2025 format, which is still highly relevant for many students.
- No Penalty for Wrong Answers: Since there’s no penalty for guessing, your raw score is purely based on correct answers. This means you should never leave a question blank.
FAQ
Q1. What is a good ACT score?
A: A “good” score depends on your goals. The national average is typically around 20-21. Scores above 24 are considered competitive for many state universities, while scores of 30+ are typically sought by highly selective colleges.
Q2. What’s the difference between raw and scaled scores?
A: Your raw score is the total number of questions you answer correctly. The scaled score is the converted number between 1 and 36 that accounts for minor variations in difficulty across different test dates.
Q3. Does the Science section affect my composite score?
A: Yes, in the pre-2025 test format that our calculator is based on. The Science section is a required component and factors directly into your composite score. In the new Enhanced ACT® (2025+), the Science section is optional and does not affect the main composite score.