What's the deal witth the highest possible ACT score?

Hey everyone, I'm a little bit stressed about my ACT. I know the highest possible score is 36, but what does that really look like? How many questions can you miss and still get a perfect/high score, and how rare/compeitive are those super high scores?

Hey there! I understand that the ACT can be a bit stressful, but let me help clarify how the scoring works and what's considered a high score.

First, the ACT is divided into four sections: English, Math, Reading, and Science. Each section is scored on a scale of 1-36, and then these scores are averaged for your composite score (also ranging from 1-36).

In terms of missing questions and still earning a high score, it's important to note that the number of questions you can miss while maintaining a high score varies by section and test date. However, generally speaking, missing a few questions per section might still keep you in the 34-36 range. For example, missing 2 questions in English might still result in a section score of 35, but this may not be the case for every test administration due to variations in the curves.

As for competitiveness and rarity of high scores, here's a rough estimation based on percentiles:

- A composite score of 34 puts you in the top 1% of test-takers, which is considered extremely competitive.

- A score of 32 places you around the top 3%, which is also highly competitive and still sought after by many universities.

- Scoring a 30 puts you in the top 6% of test-takers, making you a strong candidate at a variety of schools.

Higher scores are rarer, so achieving a score in the 34-36 range can make you stand out among applicants. However, it's important to remember that colleges don't base their decisions solely on standardized test scores. They consider other factors, such as grades, extracurricular activities, essays, and recommendations. So, even if you don't get a perfect score, aiming to achieve a well-rounded and competitive profile will help boost your overall application.

Good luck with your ACT preparation, and remember not to stress too much about it. Focus on doing your best and showcasing your strengths in other aspects of your application as well.