ACT Test Scoring Method

Hello friends! I'm prepping for my ACT, but curious about how the test is scored. Does anyone know the exact calculation they use for determining final ACT scores? I want to figure out how many questions I can afford to maybe get wrong and still maintain a high score.

Sure, I'm happy to explain the ACT scoring method.

The ACT is made up of four sections, each scored on a scale of 1-36: English, Math, Reading, and Science. The Composite Score, also scaled from 1-36, is the average of these four section scores, rounded to the nearest whole number.

The raw score of each section, which is simply the number of questions you got right, is converted to this scale through a process called equating. The equating process takes into account the difficulty level of the test, ensuring that the scores are consistent across different test administrations.

Unfortunately, there's no exact formula to predict how many questions you can miss and still get a particular score, because it depends on the specific test's equating process. But, as a general guide, if you aim for perfection or nearly so in each section, you're likely to get a top score.

For a better understanding of your standing, consider practicing with an official ACT practice test. The practice tests usually come with scoring guides, so you can see how many questions you can miss in each section and still obtain a certain score.

Keep in mind though, your goal should ideally be understanding and answering as many questions correctly as possible, rather than focusing heavily on how many you could get wrong. This is because focusing on correct answers and understanding will likely lead you to perform better overall. Good luck with your preparations!