Act Score Calculator

ACT Composite Score Calculator

function calculateACTScore() { var english = parseFloat(document.getElementById("englishScore").value); var math = parseFloat(document.getElementById("mathScore").value); var reading = parseFloat(document.getElementById("readingScore").value); var science = parseFloat(document.getElementById("scienceScore").value); var resultDiv = document.getElementById("result"); if (isNaN(english) || isNaN(math) || isNaN(reading) || isNaN(science) || english 36 || math 36 || reading 36 || science 36) { resultDiv.innerHTML = "Please enter valid scores between 1 and 36 for all sections."; resultDiv.style.backgroundColor = '#f8d7da'; resultDiv.style.borderColor = '#f5c6cb'; resultDiv.style.color = '#721c24'; return; } var sumScores = english + math + reading + science; var compositeScore = Math.round(sumScores / 4); resultDiv.innerHTML = "Your Composite ACT Score: " + compositeScore + ""; resultDiv.style.backgroundColor = '#e9f7ef'; resultDiv.style.borderColor = '#d4edda'; resultDiv.style.color = '#155724'; }

Understanding Your ACT Composite Score

The ACT (American College Testing) is a standardized test used for college admissions in the United States. It assesses high school students' general educational development and their ability to complete college-level work. The test covers four main academic skill areas: English, Mathematics, Reading, and Science.

The Four Sections of the ACT

• English Test: Measures your understanding of standard written English and rhetorical skills. It includes questions on usage/mechanics and rhetorical skills.
• Mathematics Test: Assesses mathematical skills typically acquired in courses up to the beginning of 12th grade. It covers pre-algebra, elementary algebra, intermediate algebra, coordinate geometry, plane geometry, and trigonometry.
• Reading Test: Measures reading comprehension. It includes four prose passages followed by multiple-choice questions that require you to derive meaning from texts.
• Science Test: Measures the interpretation, analysis, evaluation, reasoning, and problem-solving skills required in the natural sciences. It presents several science passages with graphs, tables, and research summaries.

How the Composite Score is Calculated

Each of the four sections (English, Math, Reading, Science) is scored individually on a scale of 1 to 36. Your raw score (the number of questions you answered correctly) for each section is converted into a scaled score. The ACT Composite Score is the average of these four section scores, rounded to the nearest whole number. If the average ends in .5 or higher, it is rounded up; otherwise, it is rounded down.

For example, if your section scores are:

• English: 28
• Math: 30
• Reading: 27
• Science: 29

The sum of these scores is 28 + 30 + 27 + 29 = 114. The average is 114 / 4 = 28.5. Rounded to the nearest whole number, your Composite ACT Score would be 29.

What is a Good ACT Score?

A "good" ACT score is subjective and depends largely on the colleges you are applying to. The national average ACT Composite Score typically hovers around 20-21. A score above the national average is generally considered good. For highly selective universities, competitive scores often range from 28 to 36.

• 20-21: National average.
• 24+: Generally considered a strong score, opening doors to many universities.
• 28+: Highly competitive for top-tier universities.
• 30+: Excellent score, placing you in the top percentile of test-takers.
• 36: A perfect score, achieved by a very small percentage of students.

Remember that your ACT score is just one component of your college application. Colleges also consider your GPA, extracurricular activities, essays, letters of recommendation, and other factors.