All About The ACT Scores And Results 2022 - Yocket
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Exams Know-how
ACT Scores and ...
Exams Know-how
ACT Scores and Results: Calculation, Percentiles, Validity, Scorecard & More
The ACT is a standardised test widely accepted by colleges and universities in the US and around the world for undergraduate admissions. A strong ACT score can not only secure your place at a prestigious institution but also open doors to merit-based scholarships. Understanding how the ACT is scored and the various factors that influence your results is crucial to maximising your potential.
This blog will delve into the components of ACT scoring, providing a clear and concise explanation of the scoring patterns, calculation methods, validity, and other essential information related to your ACT results. By gaining a deeper understanding of how your scores are determined, you can approach your ACT preparation with confidence and make informed decisions about your educational future.
Table of ContentHow are ACT Scores Calculated?
The ACT score calculation process begins with determining the raw score for each section: ACT English, Math, Reading, and Science. This raw score is simply the count of correctly answered questions. There’s no penalty/negative marking for incorrect answers, so it’s advantageous to attempt every question. These raw scores are then transformed into scaled scores, ranging from 1 to 36. This conversion ensures fairness by accounting for potential variations in test difficulty across different administrations.
The final step involves calculating the composite score. It is the average of the four scaled section scores. This composite score ranges from 1 to 36, which provides an overall representation of your performance across all subject areas. It’s important to note that the composite score is rounded to the nearest whole number, with half-points rounded up.
Step 1: Determining raw scores
Count correct answers: For each section (English, Math, Reading, Science), the number of correct answers you get is your raw score.
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No penalty for incorrect answers: There’s no penalty for incorrect answers on the ACT. So, it’s always a good idea to guess if you don’t know the answer.
Step 2: Converting to scaled scores
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Raw scores to scaled scores: Your raw score for each section is converted to a scaled score on a scale of 1–36.
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Equating: The conversion process ensures that scores from different ACT test dates are comparable, even if the difficulty of the tests varies.
Step 3: Calculating the composite score
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Average of section scores: Your composite score, the overall ACT score, is the average of your four section scores (English, Math, Reading, and Science).
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Rounding: The composite score is rounded to the nearest whole number. For example:
If you scored 32 in English, 34 in Math, 31 in Reading, and 30 in Science, your composite score would be:
(32 + 34 + 31 + 30) / 4 = 31.75
Rounded down to the nearest whole number, your composite score is 31.
Read also: SAT Cutoff
How is the ACT Writing Scored?
The ACT Writing test is scored holistically, meaning it assesses the overall quality of your essay rather than individual components. Two trained readers independently evaluate your essay, assigning scores from 1 to 6 in four key areas:
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Ideas and Analysis
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Development and Support
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Organisation
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Language Use and Conventions
These scores are then averaged to determine your final writing score, ranging from 2 to 12. It’s crucial to remember that the ACT Writing test doesn’t evaluate whether your perspective is right or wrong. Instead, it focuses on your ability to construct a well-reasoned argument, support your claims with evidence, and effectively communicate your ideas.
ACT Test Score Ranges
The ACT is scored on a scale of 1 to 36, with each of its four sections (English, Math, Reading, and Science) also individually scored on the same scale. Your composite ACT score is the average of these four section scores, rounded to the nearest whole number. It’s important to note that while a perfect score is 36, it’s incredibly rare. Most students score within a specific range.
ACT score range breakdown:
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Below average (1–16): Indicates room for improvement and identifies areas to focus on to enhance your performance.
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Average (17–24): Shows competency in the subject matter and meets the expectations of many colleges and universities.
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Above Average (25–36): Highlights exceptional performance, indicating readiness for rigorous coursework and potentially opening doors to scholarships and selective programs.
A low score doesn’t define your abilities. It simply highlights areas for growth. An average ACT score shows you’re on the right track but may require additional effort to reach your goals. An above-average score is a significant achievement that can greatly benefit your college applications.
Your ideal ACT score depends on your academic goals and the expectations of the colleges you’re interested in. You should aim high, but be realistic and focus on continuous improvement. You must keep in mind that your ACT score is just one aspect of your application, and your determination and hard work are equally important.
Read also: Sending ACT Scores to Colleges
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USA
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Australia Understanding ACT Score Percentiles
The ACT provides scores in the form of both raw scores and percentiles. Raw scores are the total points you earn based on your correct answers in each section (English, Math, Reading, and Science). Percentiles indicate how your performance compares to that of other test-takers. For example, a 90th percentile score means you scored better than 90% of students who took the test.
The following tables show the estimated ACT score percentile distributions for both composite and writing scores:
ACT Composite Score Percentile Distribution
| ACT Composite Score | ACT Composite Percentile |
|---|---|
| 34–36 | 99–100 |
| 31–33 | 95–98 |
| 28–30 | 80–93 |
| 25–27 | 78–85 |
| 22–24 | 64–74 |
| 19–21 | 47–59 |
| 16–18 | 28–41 |
| 11–15 | 2–22 |
| 10 and below | 1 |
ACT Writing Score Percentile Distribution
| ACT Writing Score | ACT Writing Percentile |
|---|---|
| 12 | 100 |
| 10 | 99 |
| 9 | 98 |
| 8 | 95 |
| 7 | 97 |
| 6 | 65 |
| 5 | 45 |
| 4 | 23 |
| 3 | 11 |
| 2 | 3 |
| 1 | 1 |
While percentiles help you gauge your performance relative to others, it’s crucial to remember that most colleges focus on your composite score (the average of your four section scores) when making admissions decisions. They often have their own score ranges for admitted students, and your composite score is what they’ll use to evaluate your application.
Read also: ACT Score Calculator
Understanding Your ACT Score Report
Tests, questions, and reporting categories are interconnected elements that provide a comprehensive understanding of your performance. Questions within a test are designed to assess specific skills or knowledge areas, and these questions are then grouped into broader reporting categories. Each reporting category reflects a set of related skills or knowledge, aligning with educational standards like the ACT’s College and Career Readiness Standards.
Score reports provide you with both an overall score and a breakdown of your performance in each reporting category. By referencing the reporting category information, you can gain insights into your strengths and weaknesses, enabling you to identify areas for improvement or focus your academic efforts.
| Test | Number of Questions | Reporting Categories |
|---|---|---|
| English | 75 | Production of writing (29–32%) Knowledge of language (15–17%) Conventions of standard English (52–55%) |
| Mathematics | 60 | Preparing for higher math (57–60%) Number and quantity (7–10%) Algebra (12–15%) Functions (12–15%) Geometry (12–15%) Statistics and probability (8–12%) Integrating essential skills (40–43%) Modelling |
| Reading | 40 | Key ideas and details (52–60%) Craft and structure (25–30%) Integration of knowledge and ideas (13–23%) |
| Science | 40 | Interpretation of data (40–50%) Scientific investigation (20–30%) Evaluation of models, inferences, and experimental results (25–35%) |
For even more in-depth details on reporting categories, you can refer to the ACT Technical Manual, which offers detailed explanations and additional context.
What is ACT Superscoring?
ACT Superscoring is a method used by some colleges to evaluate your ACT performance. Instead of considering only the highest composite score from a single test date, superscoring takes the highest score from each individual section (English, Math, Reading, and Science) across all test attempts and averages them to create a new, potentially higher composite score. This approach allows you to show your strongest performance in each subject area, rather than being penalised for a weaker section on a particular test day.
Note: It’s crucial to remember that not all colleges superscore. Therefore, it’s important to research the admissions policies of your target schools to determine if they consider ACT superscores and to develop a test-taking strategy accordingly.
What is a Good ACT Composite Score?
An ACT score above the national average of around 19–21 is generally considered good. However, highly selective colleges often expect scores in the 30s. A score in the mid-20s can make you competitive for many colleges, but for top-tier universities, aiming for a score in the upper 20s or even 30s is advisable.
The best way to gauge a good ACT score is to research the average ACT scores of the colleges you’re interested in. The following table outlines the average ACT scores for some of the top colleges.
| College | Average ACT Score |
|---|---|
| Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) | 34–36 |
| Princeton University | 34–35 |
| Yale University | 31–36 |
| Duke University | 34–36 |
| Brown University | 34–36 |
| Johns Hopkins University | 34–35 |
| Northwestern University | 33–35 |
| Columbia University | 34–35 |
| Cornell University | 33–35 |
| University of Chicago | 21–36 |
It’s essential to consider that the ACT is just one factor in the college admissions process. Even with a lower ACT score, you might still be a strong candidate if you have excellent grades, compelling extracurricular activities, or a standout personal statement. Therefore, while aiming for a good ACT score is important, it’s equally important to focus on other aspects of your application to create a holistic profile.
Read also: Colleges Accepting 25 to 30 ACT Score
What is a Good ACT Writing Score?
A good ACT Writing score typically falls in the range of 8 or above. This indicates a strong ability to develop and support ideas clearly and effectively. Achieving a score in this range shows a solid command of language, organisation, and critical thinking skills. Such a score positions you competitively for admission to a wide range of colleges and universities.
However, it’s essential to remember that the definition of a good score can vary depending on the specific colleges you’re targeting. Highly selective colleges may expect scores closer to the top of the scale, while less competitive colleges may be satisfied with a slightly lower score.
When is the ACT Result Released?
The ACT results release timeline varies depending on several factors. Typically, multiple-choice scores become available within two weeks of the ACT test date. However, for specific test dates designated for equating purposes, this timeframe can extend to three to eight weeks. It’s important to note that writing scores require additional time for manual scoring. It usually takes about two weeks after the release of multiple-choice scores. Therefore, if you took the ACT with writing, you can expect to receive your complete scores around three to five weeks after the test date.
How to Check Your ACT Scores?
To check your ACT scores, you’ll need to access your MyACT account. This is the official platform where ACT posts and manages test results. You won’t be able to retrieve your scores through email, phone, or any other method except through your MyACT account.
Once logged in, you can view your scores, including a breakdown of each section and your composite score. Keep in mind that your ACT writing score, if you took the writing test, will be released separately from your other scores.
Read also: Colleges Accepting 30 ACT Score and Above
ACT Score Release Dates 2024–2025
Here’s a tentative timeline for when you can expect your ACT results to be released:
| National Test Date | Reporting Timeframe |
|---|---|
| September 14, 2024 | September 24 – November 8 |
| October 26, 2024 | November 5 – December 20 |
| December 14, 2024 | December 24 – February 7 |
| February 8, 2025 | February 18 – April 4 |
| April 5, 2025 | April 15 – May 30 |
| June 14, 2025 | June 24 – August 8 |
| July 12, 2025 | July 22 – September 5 |
How to Interpret the ACT Scorecard?
The ACT scorecard provides a comprehensive breakdown of your performance on the exam. It displays individual scores for the four main sections (English, Reading, Math, and Science) along with an optional writing score. These scores are presented on a scale of 1 to 36.
The scorecard goes beyond just individual sections by also offering STEM and ELA scores. These combine your scores in Math and Science (STEM) or English and Reading (ELA) to give you a broader picture of your strengths. Additionally, the scorecard includes ACT College Readiness Benchmarks for each section and the combined scores. These benchmarks indicate whether your score is likely to translate to success in corresponding college courses.
What is the Validity of the ACT Score?
The ACT is valid for five years from the date of the test. This means that if you take the ACT in April 2023, your scores will remain valid until April 2028. Within this timeframe, the scores can be used for college applications and admissions purposes.
It’s important to note that while the scores are valid for five years, individual colleges and universities may have specific score requirements or preferences. Therefore, you need to check the specific guidelines of the institutions you are targeting.
How to Use Your ACT Result?
Your ACT result can be used for two important reasons: securing college admission and financial aid (scholarships).
ACT scores and college admissions
Your ACT score is an important factor in the college admissions process. Colleges use it as a standardised measure to evaluate your academic readiness. A good ACT score can significantly enhance your chances of getting admission to your desired university, especially for highly selective institutions. Admissions officers consider it alongside other factors such as GPA, extracurricular activities, and essays when making their decisions. A competitive ACT score shows your academic abilities and potential to succeed in higher education.
ACT scores and scholarships
In addition to admissions, your ACT score can offer significant financial opportunities through scholarships. Many colleges and universities offer merit-based ACT scholarships awarded to students with high ACT scores. These scholarships can range from partial tuition waivers to full rides, substantially reducing the cost of higher education. Furthermore, external organisations also provide scholarships based on academic achievement, and a strong ACT score can make you a competitive candidate. By excelling on the ACT, you increase your chances of securing substantial financial aid to support your college education.
Read also: ACT Score Chart
Why Retake the ACT?
Retaking the ACT can be a strategic decision for many of you. If your initial ACT score doesn’t align with your target college or scholarship goals, a retake is a viable option. Perhaps you were underprepared, unwell, or simply had an off day during the first attempt. Retaking the test allows you to show your true academic abilities and improves your chances of gaining admission to preferred universities or securing substantial financial aid.
When Should You Retake the ACT?
The optimal timing for an ACT retake depends on several factors. Typically, students take the ACT for the first time during their junior year to get a baseline score. If there’s significant room for improvement, retaking the ACT in the fall of the senior year can be beneficial. This provides ample time to address weaknesses identified in the previous attempt.
However, if your initial ACT score is close to your target, retaking might not be necessary. The decision should be based on a careful evaluation of your goals, the time available, and the potential impact of a higher score.
ACT Scores for College and Career Benchmarks
ACT benchmarks are target scores on the ACT subject-area tests that indicate your readiness for college-level coursework. Meeting or exceeding these benchmarks signifies:
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A 50% chance of earning a B or higher
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A 75% chance of earning a C or higher
in corresponding first-year college courses. These courses typically include English composition, college algebra, introductory social science, and biology.
The benchmarks are based on a nationwide study of over 230,000 students at 214 institutions and reflect the median expectations for course placement at these colleges and universities. Taking the ACT with writing provides additional scores valuable to you and your chosen schools.
From the Desk of Yocket
The ACT scores and results offer insight for both you and colleges in the college admissions process. The composite score provides a standardised metric to assess your academic preparedness across multiple subjects. This allows colleges to compare applicants from different backgrounds and educational systems on a level playing field. Additionally, the separate scores for English, Math, Reading, and Science offer insights into your strengths and weaknesses.
However, it’s important to remember that the ACT is just one component of college admissions. While a good ACT score can enhance an application, it doesn’t define your worth or potential. Colleges also consider factors like high school GPA, extracurricular activities, essays, and letters of recommendation. Additionally, utilizing resources like Yocket Premium can provide valuable insights and guidance throughout the admissions process, helping you present a well-rounded application.
Frequently Asked Questions about ACT Scores & Results
How can I send my ACT scores to colleges and universities?
You can send your ACT scores to colleges and universities through your ACT online account. You can select the specific test date and score report you want to send, as well as the colleges you want to receive it. There is a fee to send scores after your initial four free choices.
Can I send my ACT scores after I receive my score report?
Yes, you can send your ACT scores after you receive your score report. You will need to log in to your ACT account and follow the instructions to select the colleges you want to receive your scores.
Is there a fee to send ACT scores to colleges?
Yes, there is a fee to send ACT scores to colleges after your initial four free choices when you register for the test. The fee is typically around $16 per score report.
Can corrections be requested on the ACT scorecard?
Yes, corrections can be requested on the ACT Scorecard, but there are limitations. You can request a correction for identifying information (name, date of birth, etc.) only if the test date falls outside the archive fee period. For errors related to test scores, you can request a hand scoring within three months of the test date, but this comes with a fee. If ACT is found to be responsible for the error, you might not need to pay for corrected score reports.
Does the ACT Writing Score affect the ACT Composite Score?
No, the ACT Writing Score does not affect the ACT Composite Score. The Composite Score is calculated based on the average of your scores in English, Math, Reading, and Science. The Writing section is optional and is reported separately.
Where can I check my ACT score?
You can check your ACT score by logging into your MyACT account. This is an online platform where you can access all your test results, send score reports to colleges, and manage your ACT account settings.
Can ACT scores be cancelled?
Yes, ACT scores can be cancelled under certain circumstances. If you are dissatisfied with your performance, you can request to cancel your scores for a particular test date. However, scores from state- or district-mandated testing cannot be deleted. Additionally, the ACT organisation reserves the right to cancel scores if they believe there is reason to doubt their validity due to irregularities during the testing process.
If I take the ACT more than once, which of the ACT scorecards is considered valid?
All ACT scorecards you receive are valid. Colleges and universities typically consider your highest composite score when making admissions decisions. However, they may also review your scores from all test dates to get a complete picture of your academic performance.
When are ACT scores released?
ACT scores are typically released within two to eight weeks after each national test date. Multiple score release dates are scheduled for each test date to ensure timely processing.
What is a good ACT score?
Generally, a score of 20 is average, and a score of 30 or higher is considered excellent on the ACT. However, a good ACT score varies depending on the colleges you’re interested in. It’s best to research the average scores of admitted students at your target schools.
How long is the ACT score valid?
Your ACT scores are valid for five years from the test date. However, some colleges may have their own policies regarding score validity, so check with the specific institutions you plan to apply to.
How can I improve my ACT score?
You can improve your ACT score by taking practice tests, studying test content areas, and familiarising yourself with the test format. Official ACT prep resources and courses are available to help you prepare effectively.
What should I do if I’m not happy with my ACT score?
If you’re unhappy with your ACT score, you can retake the test. Many students retake the test to try to improve their scores. You can retake the test multiple times, but some colleges may only consider your highest score.
Is it possible to combine the ACT scores of tests taken on different dates?
Yes, it’s possible to combine ACT scores from different test dates in certain cases. This process is often referred to as “superscoring.” However, it depends on the specific test and the policies of the institutions or organisations you’re applying to.
What is the range of ACT Writing Test scores?
The ACT Writing Test score ranges from 2 to 12.
What is the average ACT Writing Test score?
The average ACT Writing Test score is between 6 and 7.
What is the range of the ACT Composite Score?
The range of the ACT Composite Score is from 1 to 36.
What is the average ACT Composite Score?
The average ACT Composite Score varies slightly from year to year, but it typically falls in the range of 19 to 21.
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