I just took a practice ACT test and I've got raw scores for each section, but I don't really know how to convert these into a final ACT score. Can someone explain the process or point me to a reliable calculator? Thanks!
To calculate your ACT score, you'll need to go through a two-step process: convert your raw scores into scaled scores for each section and then calculate your composite score. Here's how to do it:
1. Convert raw scores to scaled scores: In the ACT, each of the four sections—English, Math, Reading, and Science—has its own scaling chart. The scaling chart varies slightly from test to test, but it generally follows a relatively consistent pattern. To find the most accurate scaling chart for your practice ACT test, refer to the scoring instructions or answer key provided with the test. Here, you'll find a table that matches your raw score (the number of questions you answered correctly) with a corresponding scaled score, ranging from 1 to 36. Follow this process for all four sections.
2. Calculate your composite score: Once you have your scaled scores for English, Math, Reading, and Science, you simply add them together and divide by 4 to get your composite score. Round to the nearest whole number to get your final composite score, which is also on a scale of 1 to 36.
For example, let's say your raw scores and corresponding scaled scores are as follows:
- English: 65 raw score, 28 scaled score
- Math: 44 raw score, 27 scaled score
- Reading: 31 raw score, 26 scaled score
- Science: 32 raw score, 28 scaled score
Your composite score would be (28+27+26+28)/4 = 27.25, which rounds to 27.
To find reliable ACT score calculators or scaling charts, you can use official ACT resources on their website, or utilize test prep platforms like Kaplan, The Princeton Review, and CollegeVine. Just remember that scaling charts can vary slightly from test to test, so you'd ideally use the one that corresponds to the specific practice test you took, if possible. If there isn't one available, though, an alternative would be fine, as the scale typically doesn't fluctuate too drastically from one test to another.
Good luck with your ACT preparation!
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