What is an ACT score? : Your Guide

The American College Testing (ACT) and the resultant ACT score are part of the admission process in the colleges of the United States of America (USA), depending on the institution students apply to. There are no fixed passing marks for this examination. However, a good ACT score strengthens the college application and elevates the chances of getting admitted into the institutions students aim for.

The ACT covers four academic skill areas: English, Mathematics, Reading, and Science. It also includes an optional writing test. The composite score ranges from 1 to 36. Many colleges use this score to evaluate a student's readiness for college-level work and to compare applicants. Preparing well for the ACT can significantly impact scholarship opportunities and placement in advanced courses.

ACT Exam 

The exam is conducted by a mission-driven, not-for-profit organization under the same name– ACT. It is a curriculum-based, standardized test that evaluates the candidates' mathematical, written, scientific, and verbal skills.
There are four main sections of the ACT exam: Maths, English, Reading, and Science. The final or composite ACT score will be an average of these four section scores. Candidates can also appear for the ACT's optional writing test, which doesn't impact the composite score.

ACT Average Score

Here is the ACT score chart below highlighting the average numbers– ACT total score/ composite score for the students who appeared for the exam in 2023:

ACT average score - 2023
Number of test-takers	1,386,335
English	18.6
Math	19
Reading	20.1
Science	19.6
Composite	19.5

ACT Exam Sections and Scoring

Having a thorough understanding of ACT sections and scoring can significantly enhance your chances of pursuing an education abroad in the USA. As mentioned above, the ACT exam has four different sections– English, Math, Science, and Reading. But what is the highest score on the ACT? The four sections are marked out of 36 points each, with 1 being the lowest and 36 being the upper limit. Furthermore, the section-wise question numbers and reporting categories in the ACT exam are as follows:

Subject	Questions	Reporting Categories
English	75	Production of Writing (29-32%), Knowledge of the Language (13-19%), Conventions of Standard English (51-56%)
Mathematics	60	Preparing for Higher Math (57-60%), Integrating Essential Skills (40-43%)
Reading	40	Key Ideas and Details (55-60%), Craft and Structure (25-30%), Integration of Knowledge and Ideas (13-18%)
Science	40	Scientific Investigation (20-30%), Data Interpretation (45-55%), Evaluation of Inferences, Models, and Experimental Results (25-35%)

Scoring of the Writing Test

The scoring process for the writing section is more complicated. Anyone who takes up the ACT plus writing exam, including the essay that needs to be written, will be re-evaluated by two different readers.

These two readers will score the essay on a scale of 1 to 6 based on four areas where cogency holds the most significant importance. Candidates will be assessed on the skill to stitch lines of reasoning together into a coherent and compelling essay.

Additionally, it is to be noted that the evaluators are not looking for an excellently written specimen but a well-put-up first draft. 

Recommended Reads:

Syllabus for ACT	ACT Exam Pattern
ACT Exam Registration	ACT Exam Dates
ACT Exam Eligibility

ACT Syllabus/Level

The syllabus of the ACT focuses on four sections. We will be discussing each section and the syllabus under the same. 

English

The English section consists of five passages with 75 multiple-choice questions. The questions are mainly detail-based/big-picture-based, concerning the entire passage or a particular passage. 

The evaluators are testing two essential skills of the students through the English section– Usage and Mechanics skills along with the Rhetorical skills. 

Usage and Mechanics will access you according to your grammar rules– punctuation and sentence structure. On the other hand, Rhetorical skills are connected to the comprehension of a passage or the abstract understanding of the same. 

Mathematics

The mathematics section consists of the below-mentioned topics:

• Pre-algebra
• Elementary algebra
• Intermediate algebra
• Coordinate geometry
• Plane geometry
• Trigonometry

Reading

The reading section will have four different passages, amounting to 40 multiple-choice questions. These passages will represent four major areas: Humanities, Natural Science, Social Science, and Literary Fiction. 

Science

The science section deals with the topics in conjunction with Physics, Chemistry, Earth Sciences, and Biology. You will have seven passages in this section with 40 multiple-choice questions. 

These passages will be presented with varied diagrams like charts, tables, and graphs. You will not be accessed based on learning the scientific facts and figures. Instead, the application and reasoning will be questioned.

Furthermore, data representation questions in the ACT exam will check your ability to understand scatter plots, tables, or graphs clubbed with your usage of the presented information. 

Additionally, in these questions, research summaries will assess your understanding of the design of experiments and associated results, as told in the passage. Similarly, conflicting viewpoints test your ability to reason out different opinions.

ACT Score Range

The ACT score range (both composite score and every test score– English, Reading, Math, and Science) will range from 1 (ACT lowest score) to 36 (ACT highest score). The fractions below one-half will be rounded down, whereas the one-half or more fractions will be rounded up.

Universities Accepting Top Scores for ACT

We have listed the top 20 American universities and their average score requirements for the ACT exam for your reference:

University	Average Composite ACT Score
Princeton University	34-35
Harvard University	34
Columbia University	34-35
Massachusetts Institute of Technology	34-36
Yale University	32-36
Stanford University	Not Required
University of Chicago	21-36
University of Pennsylvania	Not Required
California Institute of Technology	Not Available
Johns Hopkins University	34-35
Northwestern University	Not Required
Duke University	34-36
Dartmouth College	32-35
Brown University	34-36
Vanderbilt University	Not Required
Rice University	34-36
Washington University	31 and above
Cornell University	Optional/Not Required
University of Notre Dame	33-35

How to Check ACT Results 2024

To access your ACT results for 2024, follow these steps from the official ACT website:

1. Visit the ACT Website: Go to the official ACT website at www.act.org.

2. Log In to Your Account: Click on the "MyACT" portal link and enter your username and password. If you don't have an account, create one using the email you provided during registration.

3. Navigate to Your Scores: Once logged in, find and select the "Scores" tab on your dashboard.

4. View Your Scores: Your latest ACT scores will be displayed. You can also view scores from previous tests.

5. Download or Print: For a hard copy, use the download or print options available.

6. Contact ACT Support: If you encounter issues accessing your scores, contact ACT customer support for assistance.

How is Act Exam Scored

The ACT exam scoring process involves several steps:

1. Raw Scores:

• Each of the four sections (English, Math, Reading, and Science) is scored based on the number of correct answers.
• There is no penalty for incorrect answers.

2. Scaled Scores:

• Raw scores are converted to scaled scores ranging from 1 to 36 for each section.
• The scaling process adjusts for slight variations in difficulty among different test versions.

3. Composite Score:

• The composite score is the average of the four section scores.
• It also ranges from 1 to 36 and is rounded to the nearest whole number.

4. Writing Score (Optional):

• If you take the ACT with Writing, you'll receive a separate Writing score ranging from 2 to 12.
• This score does not affect your composite score but is reported alongside it.

Section	Raw Score Range	Scaled Score Range
English	0-75	1-36
Math	0-60	1-36
Reading	0-40	1-36
Science	0-40	1-36
Composite	Average of four sections	1-36

How to Send ACT Scores to Colleges

To send your ACT scores to colleges, follow these steps from the official ACT website:

1. During Registration: When registering for the ACT, you can select up to four colleges to receive your scores for free.

2. After the Test:

• Log in to your MyACT account on the official ACT website.
• Navigate to the "Scores" section on your dashboard.

3. Select Score Reports:

• Choose "Send Your Scores" and then select the test date for the scores you want to send.
• Add the colleges or scholarship programs you wish to send your scores to.

4. Pay for Additional Reports:

• There is a fee for each additional score report sent beyond the four free ones provided at registration.
• Complete the payment process online.

5. Check Deadlines: Ensure you are aware of college application deadlines to make sure your scores arrive on time.

Conclusion

The ACT is a crucial component of the college application process in the United States, offering a standardized measure of students' academic abilities across English, Math, Reading, and Science. Understanding the scoring process, including the optional writing section, helps students target their preparation effectively, while sending scores to colleges requires strategic planning, especially considering the application deadlines. By securing a strong ACT score, you can significantly enhance your chances of admission to top universities. For those of you aiming to study abroad, diligent preparation and a clear understanding of the ACT structure can help you achieve your academic goals and pave the way for a successful college journey.

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