ACT science score chart with full raw-to-scaled conversion tables, percentiles, and what the 2025 changes mean for your STEM score. See where you stand.
Larry Learns
Updated
Your ACT science raw score is the number of scored questions you answered correctly. On the enhanced ACT, 34 of the 40 science questions are scored. That raw score then gets converted to a scaled score from 1 to 36. But the conversion is not identical on every test date. The ACT adjusts its scoring curve based on the difficulty of the specific test form, which means the same raw score can come out a point or two higher on one test form than on another.
ACT Science Score Conversion Chart: Full Raw-to-Scaled Table
On the enhanced ACT, 34 of the 40 science questions are scored. The other 6 are unlabeled field-test questions that do not count, so the highest possible raw score is 34. The table below maps every raw score (0 to 34) to the scaled score ACT publishes for the practice test in its 2025-2026 Preparing for the ACT guide. Other test forms can differ by a point or two.
Raw Score
Scaled Score
Raw Score
Scaled Score
34
36
16
20
33
35
15
19
32
34
14
18
31
33
13
18
30
32
12
17
29
31
11
16
28
30
10
15
27
29
9
14
26
28
8
12
25
27
7
12
24
26
6
11
23
25
5
10
22
25
4
9
21
24
3
7
20
23
2
6
19
23
1
3
18
22
0
1
17
21
A few things to note. First, there is no penalty for wrong answers on the ACT. Your raw score only counts correct answers, so you should always guess rather than leave a question blank. Second, every question carries weight: on this form each of the first eight misses costs one scaled point, so three misses drop you from a 36 to a 33. Through the middle of the scale the curve is slightly more forgiving, with each raw point worth a little under one scaled point.
How ACT Science Scoring Works
The ACT science section has 40 multiple-choice questions and a 40-minute time limit. Every question has four answer choices. Your raw score is simply the number of the 34 scored questions you got right, and that raw score is then mapped to a scaled score from 1 to 36 using the conversion table above.
The exact conversion changes from test to test because the ACT equates each form for difficulty. A slightly harder test will have a more generous curve, and a slightly easier test will have a tighter one. The differences are usually small, typically one to two scaled points at most, but they are real. That is why a single published table is a guide rather than a guarantee.
The science section tests three question types across its 40 questions:
Your scaled score tells you how you did, but your percentile tells you how you compare to other test-takers. The ACT publishes national percentile ranks each year based on recent graduating classes. Here are the key benchmarks for the science section:
Scaled Score
Approx. Percentile
What It Means
36
99th
Top 1% nationally
30
93rd-95th
Highly competitive for selective colleges
26
83rd-85th
Above average, strong for most colleges
23
68th-72nd
ACT College Readiness Benchmark
20
50th-53rd
National average
17
30th-35th
Below average, room for improvement
14
12th-16th
Significant gaps in science reasoning
The average ACT science score is about 20, which places you near the 50th percentile. The ACT College Readiness Benchmark for science is 23, meaning a score of 23 or higher indicates you are likely prepared for introductory college science courses. If you are aiming for competitive STEM programs, target 28 or above to land in the top 10 percent.
2025 Changes: Science Is Now Optional
Starting in spring 2025, the ACT made its science section optional. This is one of the biggest changes to the test in years, and it directly affects how your science score is used.
What changed:
The ACT composite score is now calculated from English, Math, and Reading only. Science no longer factors into the composite.
If you choose to take Science, you receive a separate science scaled score (1 to 36) and a STEM score that combines your Math and Science results.
Taking the science section costs an additional fee on top of the base ACT registration.
Should you still take it? If you are applying to STEM programs, the answer is almost certainly yes. Many science-focused colleges and scholarships still want to see a science score. Even for non-STEM applicants, a strong science score can strengthen your application. Check the admission requirements for your target schools before deciding to skip it.
For a broader look at the ACT and all its sections, see our complete ACT guide.
What Score Do You Need? College Targets
While the science score no longer affects your composite, it still matters for college admissions, especially at STEM-focused programs. Here is what different tiers of colleges typically look for:
College Tier
Target Science Score
Raw Score Needed (of 34 scored)
Ivy League / Top 20
33-36
31-34 correct
Competitive state schools
27-32
25-30 correct
Average state universities
21-26
17-24 correct
Open admission
17-20
12-16 correct
Use our score calculator to see how your science score fits into your overall ACT profile.
How to Improve Your ACT Science Score
The ACT science section is less about memorizing biology or chemistry and more about interpreting data quickly. Most questions can be answered by reading graphs, tables, and experiment descriptions carefully. Here are the highest-impact ways to move your score up.
Master data interpretation first. About 10 to 12 of the 40 questions (26 to 32 percent) are pure data representation. These are the easiest points on the section because they just require you to read a chart accurately. Practice with our ACT science practice questions until you can nail these in under 30 seconds each.
Learn to skim passages. You do not need to read every word of the science passages. Focus on the figures, tables, and labels first. Only read the text when a question specifically asks about experimental design or reasoning. This saves enormous time.
Practice under real time pressure. With 40 questions in 40 minutes, you have one minute per question. That is still tight. Take timed practice quizzes regularly to build speed without sacrificing accuracy.
Focus on conflicting viewpoints. These passages are the trickiest because they require you to compare two or more scientists' arguments. They make up about 7 questions, but students miss them at a higher rate. Practice identifying what each viewpoint agrees and disagrees on.
Study the curve. Look at the conversion table above. If you are scoring a 25 and want a 30, you need roughly 5 more raw points, which means getting 5 more questions right. That is a concrete, achievable goal you can work toward with targeted practice.
ACT Science Score Chart Compared to Other Sections
Each ACT section has 36 as the maximum scaled score, but the raw score ranges differ because each section has a different number of scored questions. Here is how science compares:
Science and Reading share a 40-minute time limit, but Science has 34 scored questions and Reading only 27, so each Reading question moves your scaled score more. On ACT's published 2025-2026 practice form, three misses cost 3 scaled points in Science and 4 in Reading.
Frequently Asked Questions About ACT Science Score Charts
How many questions do you need to get right for a 30 on ACT science?
On ACT's published 2025-2026 practice form, 28 of the 34 scored questions correct converts to a 30, and 26 correct converts to a 28. The exact number varies by test form, but getting roughly 82 percent of the scored questions right lands you at about a 30.
Is the ACT science score chart the same on every test?
No. The ACT adjusts the raw-to-scaled conversion for each test administration based on difficulty. A harder test will have a slightly more generous curve. The differences are usually one to two scaled points at most.
Does the ACT science score still count toward the composite?
Starting in 2025, the science section is optional and no longer factors into the ACT composite score. The composite is now based on English, Math, and Reading only. If you take Science, you receive a separate science score and a STEM score combining Math and Science.
What is a good ACT science score for college?
The national average is about 20. A score of 23 meets the ACT College Readiness Benchmark. For competitive colleges, aim for 27 or higher. For top-tier STEM programs, target 33 or above.
Is there a penalty for guessing on the ACT science section?
No. The ACT does not subtract points for wrong answers. Your raw score is simply the number of correct answers, so you should answer every question even if you have to guess.
How long is the ACT science section?
The ACT science section is 40 minutes long with 40 questions, 34 of which are scored. That gives you about one minute per question. See our ACT science tips for pacing strategies.
