Understanding ACT Scale Score

Anybody know how the ACT scale score works? I'm trying to understand my practice test scores better.

The ACT test scoring might initially seem a bit complicated, but it's easier to understand when you break it down. The scale score of your ACT isn't the raw score (the simple count of questions you got correct), but rather a converted score that ranges from 1 to 36.

Each section of the ACT has its own scale score, namely English, Mathematics, Reading, and Science. You're given each of these scores based on how many questions you answer correctly in that section (your raw score), which is then converted to a scale score in the 1-36 range. This conversion process isn't strictly proportional and can alter slightly from test to test due to the process of equating, which is meant to balance slight differences in test difficulty.

Ultimately, these four scale scores (one for each section) are averaged and rounded to get your Composite ACT score, which also ranges from 1 to 36. The Composite Score is often the most important one and the one colleges look at most frequently.

Overall, the key to increasing your scale score is to aim to answer as many questions correctly as you can in each ACT section. Each additional correct answer boosts your raw score, and hence, improves your scale score.