Hey everyone, I've come across different ACT score calculators online, but I'm unsure about their accuracy. Can anyone shed some light on how these calculators work and how accurate they are? Does anyone know if they'll still be accurate for 2024 ACT tests?
ACT score calculators function by taking raw test scores (i.e., the number of questions you answered correctly) and converting them into a scaled score, which tends to range from 1 to 36. The conversion is based on comparable data from previous test-takers and each specific test's difficulty level. This means the same raw score might lead to slightly different scaled scores based on the particular ACT test date.
While these calculators can provide a ballpark estimate, they may not always perfectly capture the score you'd receive on the official ACT due to the aforementioned variations between test editions. Note that while they can be good for practice tests, ACT does not provide official calculators, and therefore, any online resources claiming to be 'official' may not be completely reliable.
In terms of the changes to the ACT in 2025, the structure of the test is set to change significantly, including a reduction in the number of questions and changes to the options in the Math section. As such, current ACT score calculators may not accurately predict your ACT scaled score after these changes are implemented. Once the updates take place, it may take some time for online resources to adapt their calculators to the new format. Hence, for tests in 2024, the existing calculators should still work reasonably well, but for 2025 and later, they may not be as accurate.
CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.