Help with ACT score guide

Can someone explain to me or direct me towards a comprehensive ACT score guide? I want to understand fully what my score means and what it says about my strengths and weaknesses.

Understanding your ACT scores can be quite valuable as it can guide you where to focus when preparing for the test next time. Here is a basic overview of what you might want to know:

1. Composite Score: The composite score is the overall score you receive on the ACT. It's an average of your four section scores (English, Mathematics, Reading, and Science), and it also ranges between 1 and 36. This score gives a general overview of how well you did compared to other test-takers.

2. Section Scores: The section scores are the scores you receive on the specific sections of the ACT: English, Math, Reading, and Science. Each section is scored on a scale of 1-36. If you've scored high on one section but average or below average on another, that tells you where you should concentrate your study efforts.

3. Subscores: Apart from these, you'll see scores for specific skill areas. The English, Math, and Reading sections also give you subscores in different categories. For example, you'll get an “Expression of Ideas” and “Standard English Conventions” sub-score in English. These subscores can be useful to understand specific weaknesses and strengths but remember colleges don’t really use these subscores; however, you can certainly use them for self-improvement.

4. Percentage Ranks: These ranks indicate the percentage of test takers who scored lower than you. They're another way of understanding how well you did in comparison to other students.

Remember, an ACT score doesn't define your entire application, but a competitive score can certainly help, especially if you aim for more selective institutions. This is a basic guide but there is plenty of additional detailed information online to help you understand the scoring more deeply. Happy studying!