Can someone please break down how ACT test scores are calculated? I just took a practice test and I want to understand where my scores fall.
Sure, I'd be glad to help you understand ACT scores!
1. Raw Score: This is simply the total number of questions you answer correctly in each section (English, Math, Reading, and Science). There are no penalties for incorrect answers so your raw score is calculated purely off the amount of correct answers you provide.
2. Scaled Score: Each raw score in each section is then converted into a scaled score. This scaled score can range from 1 to 36. The conversion can vary a bit from test to test, but generally, the harder the questions, the fewer questions you need to answer correctly to achieve a particular scaled score.
3. Composite Score: This is essentially the average of your scaled scores across all sections. So if you got a 28 English, 30 Math, 29 Reading, and 31 Science scaled scores, your composite ACT score would be 30 (that's the average of the four section scores, rounded to the nearest whole number). Composite scores also range from 1 to 36.
4. Reporting Categories: Your score report will also include subscores to provide more information about your specific performance in certain categories within each test.
Remember, good ACT preparation could include understanding how the test is scored so you can concentrate on picking the right battles and investing your study time wisely. Let me know if you have any other questions!
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