ACT Scoring Process

Hey guys, I've been preparing for the ACT, but I'm not really familiar with how they score the test. Can anyone explain the process to me?

Sure, I'd be happy to explain the ACT scoring process! The ACT consists of four sections: English, Math, Reading, and Science. Each section is scored on a scale of 1 to 36. Here's a brief breakdown of how the scoring works for each section:

1. Raw score: First, you'll receive a raw score for each section based on the number of questions you answered correctly.

2. Section score (1-36): Then, this raw score is converted to a scaled score ranging from 1 to 36 using a process called equating. Equating accounts for the slight differences in difficulty between various test forms to ensure fairness.

3. Composite score (1-36): Finally, to determine your overall ACT score, the scaled scores from all four sections (English, Math, Reading, Science) are averaged, and this average is rounded to the nearest whole number to give you a composite score. This composite score also ranges from 1 to 36, and it's the most commonly cited score for college admissions purposes.

In addition to the four mandatory sections of the ACT, there's an optional writing section that you can choose to take. The writing section is scored separately from the other four sections and does not impact your composite score. The writing test receives scores from two independent raters on a scale of 1-6, which are then combined to give you a total writing score on a scale of 2-12.

To optimize your ACT score, it's crucial to practice each section and familiarize yourself with the test format. This will help you identify your strengths and weaknesses, and you can use that information to focus your study efforts accordingly. Good luck with your ACT preparation!