Understanding ACT Results

Hi everyone! I just got my ACT results back, but I'm a little confused about how to interpret the scores. Can anyone explain how the scoring system works and what a good ACT score is? Thank you!

Hi there! I'm happy to help you understand your ACT results. The ACT is scored on a scale from 1 to 36, with 36 being the highest possible score. Your overall score is the average of your scores on the four individual sections: English, Mathematics, Reading, and Science. Each of these sections is also scored on a 1-36 scale. Your composite score, which is the average of these four section scores, is the one most often used by colleges for admission purposes.

In addition to your composite score, you'll also see a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) score and an ELA (English Language Arts) score. These scores are helpful for understanding your relative strengths and weaknesses in those areas, as they average your performance in related sections.

As for what a "good" ACT score is, it depends on your goals and the colleges you're planning to apply to. Generally, a score of 21 is considered average, while anything above 28 is viewed as competitive at many colleges. However, to assess your score in relation to specific schools, you can research the average and middle 50% ACT scores of accepted students at those colleges. This will give you a better idea of whether your score is within the range they typically admit.

Remember that your ACT score is just one factor in the college admissions process. While a strong score can help your application, many schools also review other components such as your GPA, extracurricular activities, essays, and letters of recommendation.

Good luck with your college application journey! Let me know if you have any other questions.