Hey everyone! I'm trying to understand how the ACT scoring system works. How do they calculate the composite score and what are the highest possible scores for each section? Any advice or explanations would be sincerely appreciated!
Hi there! The ACT (American College Test) is a standardized test used for college admissions in the United States. It consists of four main sections: English, Math, Reading, and Science. Each section is scored separately on a scale of 1-36, with 36 being the highest possible score for each section. These individual scores are then averaged to create a composite score, which also ranges from 1-36.
Here's a brief overview of each section:
1. English: This section tests your understanding of standard written English, including grammar, punctuation, and sentence structure. It consists of 75 multiple-choice questions that you need to answer in 45 minutes.
2. Math: The Math section evaluates your problem-solving skills and knowledge of high school-level math, including algebra, geometry, and trigonometry. This section has 60 multiple-choice questions, and you are given 60 minutes to complete it.
3. Reading: The Reading section tests your comprehension and analysis of written passages. It contains four passages, each followed by 10 multiple-choice questions. You have 35 minutes to complete this 40-question section.
4. Science: This section evaluates your skills in interpreting, analyzing, and problem-solving using scientific data. It's composed of seven passages, and you have 35 minutes to answer 40 multiple-choice questions.
After you complete the test, your raw score for each section (the number of questions you answered correctly) is calculated. These raw scores are then converted into scaled scores, which range from 1-36 for each section. Your composite score is the average of your four scaled scores, rounded to the nearest whole number.
Keep in mind that some colleges also consider your ACT Writing score, but this score, which ranges from 2 to 12, is separate from your composite score.
I hope this explanation helps you better understand the ACT scoring system! Good luck with your test preparation!
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