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Unweighted GPA: 3.7
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Confused about the Math ACT score chart

Hey there, folks, I recently took the ACT, but I'm having some trouble understanding my Math subscore. Is there a simplified chart or some guide to help me understand the scoring mechanism? Is there a threshold I should aim to reach?

3 months ago

Of course! The ACT Math test is scored on a scale of 1-36, like all the other sections in the ACT. When you receive your ACT scores, you get both composite and subject scores, and we're going to focus on the Math section for your question.

The Math section equates your raw score (the number of questions you answered correctly) to a scaled score between 1 and 36. You should note that this equating isn't a simple linear relationship and varies slightly from one test to another.

For instance, you could miss a couple of questions and still score a 36, or you may get 56 questions right and receive a 32. Information regarding the exact conversion from raw scores to scaled scores for your specific ACT test date isn't typically released to the public but a generalized chart can give you a rough idea.

A very rough guide, based on past tests, is as follows:

- 60 correct: 36

- 56-59 correct: 34-35

- 50-55 correct: 30-33

- 45-49 correct: 28-29

- 40-44 correct: 26-27

- 35-39 correct: 24-25

- 30-34 correct: 21-23

- 25-29 correct: 19-20

- 20-24 correct: 16-18

- 15-19 correct: 14-15

Please keep in mind this is a very rough estimate and actual results can, and do, vary.

In terms of what score you should aim for, that really depends on the colleges you're applying to. A good way to gauge this is by looking at the middle 50% ACT scores for admitted students at your target colleges. If your score is within that range, it's usually an indication that your score is competitive for that college. However, remember that standardized test scores are just one aspect of your application and colleges also take into account your grades, extracurricular activities, essays, etc.

3 months ago

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