Understanding the Math ACT Scoring Chart?

Hey everyone, I just took a practice ACT and I'm a little confused about how the Math ACT scoring chart works. What's the best way to interpret my score, and how does it fit into the overall ACT composite score? Grateful for any help!

Hey! I'm happy to help explain the Math ACT scoring process and how it factors into your overall composite score. The ACT Math section has 60 questions, and your "raw score" is simply the number of questions you answer correctly. This raw score is then converted to a "scaled score" using the scoring chart for that specific test, as the chart may vary slightly between tests to account for differences in difficulty.

Scaled scores for the Math section range from 1 to 36. The best way to interpret your scaled Math score is to compare it to the average ACT Math score, which is around 20-21. A score above the average indicates a stronger performance, while a score below suggests that there's room for improvement. You can also compare your score to the middle 50% range or average Math scores of students accepted to your target colleges, which will give you an idea of where you stand in terms of admission chances.

To calculate your overall ACT composite score, follow these steps:

1. Convert all sections' (English, Math, Reading, and Science) raw scores into scaled scores using their respective scoring charts.

2. Add up these four scaled scores.

3. Divide the sum by 4 and round to the nearest whole number. This will give you your composite score, ranging from 1 to 36.

Your composite score is the most important number that colleges look at since it gives a general overview of your performance on the entire ACT. Yet, they may also consider individual section scores based on their programs' focus or requirements.

Keep in mind that practice is essential for improving your ACT scores, so make sure to review your mistakes and any topics you're struggling with. Good luck!