The ACT is scored on a scale of 1 to 36. That single number, your composite score, is what colleges see first on your application. But the composite is just the starting point. Behind it sit section scores, percentiles, benchmarks, and (under the enhanced ACT launched in 2025) a new way of calculating the composite itself.
This guide breaks down every piece of the ACT scoring system so you know exactly what your numbers mean and where you stand.
ACT Score Range Overview
Every section of the ACT is scored on a 1-to-36 scale. Your composite score is the average of your section scores, rounded to the nearest whole number.
ACT also reports two additional combined scores for students who take the optional sections: a STEM score (average of Math and Science) and an ELA score (average of English, Reading, and Writing). These are reported separately and do not affect your composite.
What Changed With the Enhanced ACT (2025)
Starting in April 2025 for online test-takers and September 2025 for all test-takers, ACT rolled out the enhanced ACT. The biggest change to scoring:
The composite is now the average of 3 sections (English, Math, Reading) instead of 4. Science became optional and no longer affects the composite. This means each required section carries more weight: roughly 33% each instead of 25%.
Other enhanced ACT changes that affect scoring:
- Math answer choices reduced from 5 to 4 options
- Fewer total questions (171 scored items across required sections, down from 215)
- Shorter test: 2 hours 5 minutes for the required sections (was 2 hours 55 minutes)
- Each section now includes some unscored experimental items embedded alongside scored items
- ACT will NOT retroactively recalculate composite scores for students who tested before the enhanced format
How Raw Scores Become Scaled Scores
Your raw score is the number of questions you answer correctly. There is no penalty for wrong answers, so you should always guess rather than leave a question blank.
ACT converts raw scores to the 1-36 scale through a process called equating, which adjusts for difficulty differences between test forms. This means the conversion table changes slightly from test date to test date. There is no single fixed chart.
Here are approximate conversions based on recent ACT practice tests to give you a sense of the curve:
These are estimates. The exact curve varies by test date. For section-specific conversion tables, see our guides on ACT English score charts, ACT Reading score charts, and ACT Science score charts.
ACT Section Details (Enhanced Format)
Each section includes some unscored experimental items mixed in with scored questions. You cannot tell which questions are experimental, so answer every question as if it counts.
Average ACT Scores (2025)
The national average composite for the class of 2025 was 19.4, based on approximately 1.38 million test-takers. Section averages:
Any score above 20 puts you above the national average. If you want to see where you fall relative to other test-takers, the percentile table below is more useful than the raw average.
ACT Score Percentiles
Percentiles show the percentage of test-takers who scored at or below your score. The data below is from ACT's official national ranks.
Want to see how your score stacks up for specific colleges? Use our score calculator to compare your ACT score against school averages.
ACT College Readiness Benchmarks
ACT sets College Readiness Benchmarks for each section. Meeting a benchmark means you have approximately a 50% chance of earning a B or higher (and a 75-80% chance of earning a C or higher) in the corresponding first-year college course.
For the class of 2024, only 30% of students met three or more benchmarks. The English benchmark (18) is the easiest to hit, while STEM (26) is the hardest. Use the benchmarks as minimum targets: if you are aiming for competitive colleges, you will want to score well above these thresholds.
ACT vs SAT Score Comparison
If you are deciding between the ACT and SAT, or want to compare scores, ACT and College Board published an official concordance table. Key conversions:
Note: these concordance tables were published in 2018 and have not been updated for the enhanced ACT (3-section composite) or the current Digital SAT. They remain the best available reference, but treat them as approximations. For a deeper comparison, see our guide on SAT vs ACT.
ACT Superscoring
ACT officially calculates and reports superscores. If you take the ACT more than once, ACT takes your highest English, highest Math, and highest Reading scores across all test dates and averages them for a new composite. The superscore appears in your MyACT account after your second test (for tests taken since September 2016).
Not all colleges accept superscores, but many do, and the number is growing. Check each school's policy. If a college accepts ACT superscores, retaking the test to improve one section can boost your composite without risking a lower overall score.
When Do ACT Scores Come Out?
Over 97% of scores are released within 2 to 4 weeks of the test date. Online test scores tend to arrive faster than paper scores. For the 2025-2026 testing year, score release dates for upcoming tests include:
- April 11, 2026 test: scores by April 21
- June 13, 2026 test: scores by June 23
- July 11, 2026 test: scores by July 21
Ready to see where you stand? Take a practice quiz covering the same skills tested on the ACT, or explore our section-specific guides for ACT English, ACT Math, ACT Reading, and ACT Science.
Frequently Asked Questions About the ACT Score Range
What is the ACT score range?
The ACT composite score ranges from 1 to 36. Each section (English, Math, Reading, and Science) is also scored from 1 to 36. Under the enhanced ACT (2025+), the composite is the average of your English, Math, and Reading scores. Science is now optional and does not affect the composite.
How is the ACT composite score calculated?
Under the enhanced ACT, the composite is the average of your English, Math, and Reading section scores, rounded to the nearest whole number. Before April 2025, it was the average of all four sections including Science.
What is a good ACT score?
A 21 or above (68th percentile) is above the national average. A 24 (80th percentile) is above average. A 30 (94th percentile) is competitive for selective colleges. A 34 or higher (99th percentile) is elite.
What is the average ACT score?
The national average composite for the class of 2025 was 19.4. The 50th percentile falls at approximately 18.
Is there a penalty for wrong answers on the ACT?
No. Your raw score is the number of correct answers. Wrong answers and blank answers are treated the same, so you should always answer every question, even if you need to guess.
Does the ACT offer superscoring?
Yes. ACT officially calculates superscores by taking your highest section scores across multiple test dates and averaging them for a new composite. The superscore appears in your MyACT account. Many colleges accept ACT superscores, but check individual school policies.
