How this calculator works
Raw scores count correct answers, and each test form converts them to a 1 to 36 scale so that a score means the same across forms. The enhanced ACT, introduced in 2025, uses shorter sections and reports science separately; the composite is the average of the English, mathematics and reading scale scores. A fraction below one-half rounds down, a half or more rounds up, and an average below 1 rounds up to 1. Because every form has its own conversion table, the table used here is a close estimate, not the exact conversion for your test date.
Formula
scale score = conversion table lookup from the raw score. Composite = round((English + Mathematics + Reading) / 3), with a half or more rounded up and an average below 1 rounded up to 1. Science is reported but does not enter the enhanced ACT composite.
Worked example
Raw scores of 32 in English, 30 in mathematics, 22 in reading and 24 in science convert to 26, 28, 28 and 26 on the enhanced tables. The composite is (26 + 28 + 28) / 3 = 27.33, which rounds to 27. A student with scale scores of 30, 28 and 26 has a composite of (30 + 28 + 26) / 3 = 28.
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Frequently asked questions
Why is science not in the composite?
The enhanced ACT, first offered in 2025, reports science as a separate score and builds the composite from English, mathematics and reading. That is a change from the older four-section ACT, where science was one of the four scores averaged.
How accurate is the raw-to-scale conversion?
It is an estimate. ACT equates each form separately, so the same raw score can map to a slightly different scale score on a different date. The table here comes from an official ACT practice test and is usually within one point. Use the score report for an official result.
What is a good ACT score?
The national average is near 20 to 21, and many competitive universities look for scores in the high 20s or low 30s. The right target depends on the school and program, so compare with the middle 50 percent of admitted students at the places you are considering.
How is the composite rounded?
Add the three scale scores and divide by three. If the result ends in a fraction of one-half or more, round up; a smaller fraction rounds down. An average below 1 is raised to 1, the lowest possible composite.