ACT Writing Score - Highest Possible

Hi everyone, I'm a junior taking the ACT soon, and I'm wondering what the highest possible score is for the writing section. How important is the writing score for college admissions, and should I focus more on improving my writing or other sections of the test? Thanks for your help!

The highest possible score on the ACT Writing section is a 12. The writing score is based on a scale of 2-12, with two trained raters grading your essay and providing a score from 1-6 for four different domains: Ideas and Analysis, Development and Support, Organization, and Language Use and Conventions. The scores from the two raters are then added together to give you a final writing score.

However, it's worth noting that the writing section is increasingly becoming less important in college admissions. Many colleges don't even require the ACT writing section, so make sure to check the requirements for each school on your list.

As for your priorities in preparation, focus more on improving your performance in the other sections of the ACT (English, Math, Reading, and Science) as these scores tend to have a much larger impact on college admissions. The composite score, which is the average of your scores on the four main sections (excluding writing) on a 1-36 scale, is what college admissions officers will emphasize when reviewing your application. A strong composite score demonstrates your overall academic aptitude and preparedness for college-level coursework.

That being said, if you know that one of your target schools requires or recommends the writing section, it's a good idea to devote some time to practicing essay-writing and familiarizing yourself with the format and expectations of the ACT Writing section. By doing so, you can ensure that your writing score, while not necessarily as impactful as your composite score, will still help present you as a strong candidate to college admissions officers.

Good luck!