Understanding the ACT score calculation

Hey everyone, I'm trying to get a better grasp on ACT scores. I know there's a range from 1 to 36, but how exactly is it calculated? Is it based off the number of correct answers, or is there something about a curve? Also, how does the composite score come into play?

The ACT consists of four individual sections: English, Mathematics, Reading, and Science, each ranging from a score of 1 to 36. Your performance in each section is based on the number of correct answers, as there's no penalty for wrong answers.

To determine the scaled score for each section, the ACT uses a process known as equating. This method compensates for slight variations in difficulty between different test versions. Essentially, each ACT is designed to have roughly average difficulty, but some are slightly easier or harder than others. This means that occasionally, a harder version of the test might require fewer correct answers for a score of, say, 30 than an easier version of the test. Despite these test-to-test differences, a score of 30 on one ACT is intended to represent the same level of skill as a score of 30 on any other ACT.

The Composite ACT score, in contrast, is the average of the four section scores, rounded to the nearest whole number. If there's a decimal in the average, the Composite score is rounded down if the decimal is .5 or less, and rounded up if the decimal is more than .5.

So, the Composite score is a comprehensive measure of your overall performance on the ACT, encompassing your work in English, Math, Reading, and Science. However, keep in mind that while most colleges look at the Composite score first, they also largely take into account individual scores - so it's important to strive for balanced, high scores across all sections.