Act Calculator

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ACT Composite Score Calculator
Standard Composite ScoreACT Superscore (Best Sections)
Results:
Composite Score:
function calculateACT(){var e=parseFloat(document.getElementById('english_score').value);var m=parseFloat(document.getElementById('math_score').value);var r=parseFloat(document.getElementById('reading_score').value);var s=parseFloat(document.getElementById('science_score').value);if(isNaN(e)||isNaN(m)||isNaN(r)||isNaN(s)||e36||m36||r36||s36){alert('Please enter valid section scores between 1 and 36.');return;}var sum=e+m+r+s;var raw=sum/4;var rounded=Math.round(raw);document.getElementById('finalScore').innerHTML=rounded;document.getElementById('rawAvg').innerHTML='Raw Average: '+raw.toFixed(2);if(document.getElementById('show_steps').checked){var steps='Calculation: ('+e+' + '+m+' + '+r+' + '+s+') / 4 = '+raw.toFixed(2);steps+='
Rounding: '+raw.toFixed(2)+' rounds to '+rounded;document.getElementById('stepDetail').innerHTML=steps;document.getElementById('stepDetail').style.display='block';}else{document.getElementById('stepDetail').style.display='none';}document.getElementById('answer').style.display='block';}

How to Use the ACT Calculator

The ACT calculator is designed to help students, parents, and educators quickly determine the official composite score based on the four required section scores. Whether you are taking a practice test or looking at your official results, understanding how the section scores translate into a final composite number is essential for college admissions planning.

To use the calculator, simply enter your scaled scores (1 through 36) for the English, Mathematics, Reading, and Science sections. The tool will automatically compute the average and apply the specific rounding rules used by ACT, Inc.

English Score
The scaled score from your 75-question English section, focusing on grammar and rhetorical skills.
Math Score
The scaled score from your 60-question Math section, covering algebra, geometry, and trigonometry.
Reading Score
The scaled score from your 40-question Reading comprehension section.
Science Score
The scaled score from your 40-question Science reasoning section.

How ACT Scoring Works

When you receive your ACT results, your composite score is not a weighted average; rather, it is the simple arithmetic mean of the four section scores. The math behind the act calculator follows this specific formula:

Composite Score = (English + Math + Reading + Science) / 4

Crucially, the ACT uses standard rounding rules. If the decimal is .5 or higher, the score is rounded up to the next whole number. If the decimal is less than .5, the score is rounded down. For example, a raw average of 25.25 rounds to 25, while 25.5 rounds to 26.

  • Scaled Scores: Each section is originally graded as a "raw score" (number of correct answers), which is then converted to a "scaled score" from 1 to 36.
  • Rounding: The final composite is always a whole number.
  • Optional Writing: The Writing section (essay) is scored separately (2-12) and does not affect your composite score.

Calculation Example

Example Scenario: A student receives their practice test results and wants to know their composite score to see if they meet their target college requirements.

Step-by-step solution:

  1. English Score = 24
  2. Math Score = 28
  3. Reading Score = 22
  4. Science Score = 25
  5. Sum the scores: 24 + 28 + 22 + 25 = 99
  6. Divide by 4: 99 / 4 = 24.75
  7. Round to nearest whole number: 24.75 rounds to 25
  8. Final Composite Result = 25

Common ACT Score Questions

What is a "Superscore"?

An ACT Superscore is the average of your best individual section scores across all ACT test dates. Many colleges now accept superscores, which allows students to focus on improving one section at a time. This act calculator can be used for superscoring by simply entering your highest scores from different dates into the input fields.

Does the Writing score affect my Composite?

No. The ACT Writing test is optional and is reported as a separate score on a scale of 2 to 12. It is not included in the calculation of the 1-36 composite score. Most colleges that require the writing portion will look at it as a separate metric.

How many questions can I miss to get a 36?

This varies slightly between test dates due to the "curve" or scaling process. Typically, you can miss 0 to 1 questions in Math and Science to get a 36, and potentially 1 to 2 questions in English and Reading. However, since the composite rounds up, you could get a 36 composite with a 35 in one or even two sections, provided your raw average is 35.5 or higher.

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