ACT SCORE GUIDE
Understanding Your ACT Scores
Break down each part of your score report, learn how scores are calculated, and make informed decisions about your future.
What Counts as a “Good” ACT Score
A good ACT score is one that meets or exceeds the average score of students admitted to the colleges you’re applying to.
Colleges use ACT scores to gauge academic readiness. More selective schools tend to admit students with higher scores, while others accept a wider range as part of a holistic review.
The average ACT score was 19.4 in 2024, so scores at or above that are often considered good. However, expectations vary widely—some universities expect scores in the 30s, while others consider mid-20s competitive. Researching the average scores at your target colleges helps you set the right goal.
18–20 Many Colleges
Widely accepted at regional and open-admission colleges
20–23 Mid-tier colleges
Competitive at many mid-tier colleges
24–28 Selective colleges
Strong score for more selective colleges and universities
30–36 Top-tier schools
Widely accepted at regional and open-admission colleges
ACT SCORE BASICS
How Are ACT Scores Calculated?
Your ACT scores are based on the number of questions you answer correctly. There is no penalty for incorrect answers.
Each test's raw score (the number of correct answers) is converted to a scale score so results have the same meaning across all ACT test forms, regardless of test date.
ACT Score Range Breakdown
Composite Score
Your Composite score is the average of your English, math, and reading scores, rounded to the nearest whole number. Fractions less than one-half are rounded down; fractions one-half or more are rounded up.
Section Scores
English, Math, Reading, Science (optional)
Writing Test (optional)
Sum of two domain scores
Students also receive STEM scores (the average of math and science) and ELA scores (the average of English, reading, and writing, if taken).
Reporting Categories
Each reporting category includes the total number of questions in that category, the total number you answered correctly, and the percentage correct.
ACT reporting categories are aligned with ACT College and Career Readiness Standards and other standards that target college and career readiness.
English
40 Operational Questions (+10 field test)
- Production of Writing (38–43%)
- Knowledge of Language (18–23%)
- Conventions of Standard English (38–43%)
Mathematics
41 Operational Questions (+4 field test)
- Preparing for Higher Math (80%)
- Number & Quantity (10–12%)
- Algebra (17–20%)
- Functions (17–20%)
- Geometry (17–20%)
- Statistics & Probability (12–15%)
- Integrating Essential Skills (20%)
- Modeling
Reading
27 Operational Questions (+9 field test)
- Key Ideas & Details (44–52%)
- Craft & Structure (26–33%)
- Integration of Knowledge & Ideas (19–26%)
Science
34 Operational Questions (+6 field test)
- Interpretation of Data (38–50%)
- Scientific Investigation (18–32%)
- Evaluation of Models & Results (24–38%)
ACT-SAT Concordance
ACT and SAT scores use different scales (ACT: 1–36, SAT: 400–1600), but they can be compared using official concordance tables developed by ACT and the College Board. These tables show how scores on one test generally relate to scores on the other—for example, an ACT score of 30 is roughly equivalent to an SAT score of about 1370—but they are estimates, not exact conversions. Colleges use concordance to fairly evaluate applicants who submit different tests, and both exams are accepted equally.