ACT English Score Chart: Raw-to-Scaled Conversion Tables (2026)

After taking the ACT English section, your raw score (the number of questions you answered correctly) gets converted to a scaled score from 1 to 36. But the conversion is not the same on every test date. The ACT adjusts its scoring curve based on the difficulty of each specific test form, which means getting 36 of the 40 scored questions correct is a 31 on one official practice form and a 32 on another.

This guide provides the complete ACT English score conversion chart, explains how the curve works, shows you how conversions vary across test forms, and includes a concordance table for comparing ACT English scores to SAT equivalents. If you are looking for percentiles, averages, and college targets instead, see our ACT English score guide.

ACT English Score Conversion Chart: Complete Raw-to-Scaled Table

The current ACT English section has 50 questions, but only 40 are scored (the other 10 are unlabeled field-test questions), so raw scores now run from 0 to 40 instead of 0 to 75. The table below maps every raw score (0-40) to its scaled score (1-36) using the two conversion tables ACT has published for the current format: the practice test in its Preparing for the ACT 2025-2026 guide and ACT Practice Test 2. Where the two forms differ, both values are shown (guide form / Practice Test 2). Your own test form may shift by a point or so.

Key takeaway: at the top of the scale, the curve is steep. Missing just three scored questions can drop you from a 36 to a 33 or 34. In the middle range (scores 18-25), most scaled points cover only one or two raw score points, so there is less room for error than on the old 75-question section.

How the ACT Scoring Curve Works

The ACT does not use a fixed conversion chart. Instead, the organization creates a unique scoring curve for every test form to ensure that a 30 on one test date represents the same skill level as a 30 on any other date. This process is called equating.

Here is what that means in practice:

• Easier test forms have stricter curves. If the questions are easier than average, you need more correct answers to reach the same scaled score. The ACT compensates for difficulty so that scores remain comparable.
• Harder test forms have more generous curves. If the test was unusually difficult, you can miss more questions and still hit your target score.
• The shift is usually small. On the two official practice forms for the current format, the raw score needed for a given scaled score differs by one or two questions at most. A 30 requires 35 correct on one form and 36 on the other.

This is why you should never panic if a test felt harder than your practice tests. A harder test almost always comes with a friendlier curve.

Score Conversion Ranges Across Test Forms

To show how much the curve actually varies, here is the raw score (out of 40 scored questions) needed to reach common target scores on the two official practice forms ACT has published for the current format:

The last column shows the full range across the two forms. On one form, you can miss 5 scored questions and still hit a 30. On the other, you can miss no more than 4. Plan your target around the stricter number, and treat the extra question as a bonus.

How to Read Your ACT English Score Report

When you get your scores back, the ACT provides more than just a single number. Here is what each part of the English score report means:

The reporting category scores (Conventions, Production of Writing, Knowledge of Language) are the most actionable part of the report. They show you exactly where to focus your study time. If your Conventions score is low but Knowledge of Language is strong, you know to prioritize grammar rules over word choice. Our ACT English prep guide breaks down each category with strategies and examples.

ACT English to SAT Reading and Writing Score Concordance

If you are deciding between the ACT and SAT, or if a college asks for score equivalents, use the concordance table below. This is based on the official ACT-SAT concordance data and maps ACT English section scores to approximate SAT Reading and Writing section scores.

Keep in mind that ACT English and SAT Reading and Writing are not identical tests. The ACT English section is more grammar-focused and faster-paced, while the SAT section includes more reading comprehension and gives you more time per question. A concordance table gives a rough equivalence, but your actual performance may differ between the two tests. The best way to know which test suits you better is to take a full practice test of each.

How Many Questions Can You Miss for Each Score?

This is the most practical question students ask. The table below shows the number of scored questions you can miss (out of 40) and still hit common target scores, based on the two official practice forms. You cannot tell which 10 of the 50 questions are unscored, so treat every question as if it counts:

Notice that scoring a 30 requires getting about 88 to 90% of the scored questions right. That means you can miss roughly 4 to 5 scored questions and still reach the 89th percentile. That is less wiggle room than the old 75-question section offered, so accuracy matters more than ever.

The ACT College Readiness Benchmark for English

The ACT sets a College Readiness Benchmark of 18 for English. Scoring 18 or higher indicates that you have a 50% or better chance of earning a B or higher in a first-year college English composition course. This benchmark is used by many schools for course placement decisions.

If you score below 18, some colleges may require you to take a developmental English course before enrolling in credit-bearing classes. This is not a permanent setback, but it does mean extra time and tuition. Raising your score above 18 before test day is one of the most concrete benefits of targeted practice.

The fastest way to move past the benchmark is to master the five highest-frequency grammar rules (comma splices, subject-verb agreement, redundancy, pronouns, and transitions) and practice under timed conditions. Take our free ACT English practice test to see where you stand, then drill your weak areas with our skill-based question bank. For daily adaptive practice with instant feedback, try a free ACT English quiz on Larry Learns.

For book recommendations at every score level, see our guide to the best ACT prep books for 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions About ACT English Score Charts

Is the ACT English score conversion chart the same on every test?

No. The ACT creates a unique conversion table for each test form based on its difficulty. A slightly harder test will have a more generous curve, meaning you can miss more questions and still get the same scaled score. The differences are small (one or two raw score points at most between the two official practice forms for the current format), but they do matter at the top of the scale where every question counts.

How many questions can I miss and still get a 36 on ACT English?

On both official practice forms for the current format, you need to answer all 40 scored questions correctly to earn a 36, so you should plan on getting every question right. A score of 35 (which allows one or two misses on those forms) is still in the 99th percentile and functionally equivalent at every college.

Where can I find the official score conversion chart for my test date?

The exact conversion table for your specific test form is included in your ACT score report, available through your online ACT account at act.org. The official practice tests published by ACT (in The Official ACT Prep Guide) also include scoring tables for each practice form. The charts in this article come from the two free official practice tests ACT has published for the current format (the Preparing for the ACT 2025-2026 guide and ACT Practice Test 2).

How does the ACT English score affect my composite?

Your ACT composite is the simple average of your three section scores (English, Math, Reading), rounded to the nearest whole number. Each section is weighted equally, and the optional Science section is reported separately. Raising your English score by 3 points would increase your composite by 1 point. Because English is often the most improvable section, it is one of the quickest ways to boost your overall composite. For a full breakdown of composite scoring, see our ACT English score guide.

What is the ACT English College Readiness Benchmark?

The ACT College Readiness Benchmark for English is 18. Scoring at or above 18 means you have at least a 50% probability of earning a B or higher in a first-year college English composition course. Colleges use this benchmark for placement decisions. Scoring below 18 may result in placement into a remedial English course.

Can I convert my ACT English score to an SAT score?

You can use a concordance table to get an approximate equivalent. For example, an ACT English score of 30 corresponds to roughly 660-680 on the SAT Reading and Writing section. However, the two tests measure different skills with different formats, so concordance is a rough guide, not an exact translation. The most reliable comparison is to take a practice test for each exam and compare your actual scores.