Hey everyone, 'm confused about the whole concept of an ACT composite score. How is it calculated? And does it hold more importance than the individual section scores? Appreciate any guidance on this, thanks in advance!
Sure, happy to clarify that for you. The ACT Composite score represents the average of your 4 section scores (English, Math, Reading, and Science), which means it is calculated by adding all those scores together and then dividing by 4. These section scores range between 1 and 36. So, your composite score will also fall within this range.
As for its importance, the ACT Composite score is often the first thing colleges look at because it provides a quick, overall view of your academic ability. However, individual section scores also matter. Different colleges might have different preferences for ACT section scores based on the major you're applying to. For example, a college might place more emphasis on Math and Science scores for engineering applicants, while prioritizing English and Reading scores for applicants to a liberal arts program.
If a school has Holistic Admissions, they may look beyond your test scores and consider other factors such as your high school grades, rigor of your coursework, essays, extracurricular activities, and recommendation letters.
Don't forget that super-scoring is also common in many schools, where they take the highest section scores from all the ACT exams you've taken and calculate a new highest possible composite score.
So while the Composite score is an important part of your application, it's just one piece of the bigger picture. Good luck with your test preparation!
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