Understanding ACT cumulative score

New to the ACT here and I keep hearing about the 'cumulative score'. How does it work and what does it mean for my college applications?

Sure, I'm happy to explain. The ACT exam has four sections: English, Mathematics, Reading, and Science. Each of these sections is graded on a scale of 1-36. The 'cumulative score', also known as the 'composite score', is the average of your scores on these four sections, rounded to the nearest whole number.

So, let's say you score 30 on English, 32 on Mathematics, 28 on Reading, and 31 on Science. Your composite score would be the average of these four scores, which is 30.25 – but because the ACT rounds to the nearest whole number, your composite score becomes 30.

As for your college applications, your composite score is often used by admissions officials to gauge your overall performance on the ACT. It gives a quick snapshot of your capabilities across all four subjects tested by the ACT.

However, depending on the colleges you're applying to and the majors you're interested in, your section scores may also be important. This is especially true for schools that superscore the ACT (that is, they take your highest score from each section across multiple test dates to form a new 'superscore'). For instance, if you are applying for an engineering program, a high score in the Mathematics section could be significant in the admissions process, and a liberal arts program might look more at your Reading score.

Keep in mind that your ACT score is just one part of your application. Colleges also take into account your GPA, extracurricular activities, essays, recommendations, among other things.

To improve your scores, consider resources like practice tests, tutoring, or study guides. It can also be beneficial to familiarize yourself with the test format and investigate testing strategies.

Remember, every student is different, so it's crucial to find a study plan that fits your learning style and schedule. Good luck with your studying!