The ACT is a crucial component of the college admissions process, and understanding its scoring system is essential for optimizing your performance. Whether you’re aiming for a specific college or scholarship, knowing how the ACT is scored can help you set realistic goals and create an effective study plan.In this blog, we will understand the ACT scoring system.
Overview of ACT Scoring
The ACT consists of four subject areas: English, Math, Reading, and Science. Each of these sections is scored on a scale of 1 to 36. These scores are known as scaled scores which are derived from your raw scores—the number of questions you answered correctly in each section.
Your composite score is the average of your four scaled scores which is then rounded to the nearest whole number. This composite score also ranges from 1 to 36 and represents your overall performance on the test.
How Raw Scores are Converted to Scaled Scores
The process of converting raw scores to scaled scores involves several factors:
Question Difficulty: The ACT accounts for the difficulty level of the questions you answered correctly. More challenging questions may have a greater impact on your scaled score.
Item Response Theory: This statistical method is used to determine your final scores by analyzing your responses and the difficulty of the test version you took.
Test Version Differences: Slight variations in difficulty between different versions of the ACT are considered. For example, on one test, you might need to answer all 60 Math questions correctly to achieve a scaled score of 36, while on another test, 57 correct answers could be sufficient for the same score.
This complex scoring process ensures fairness and consistency across different test administrations.
ACT Subscores and Reporting Categories
In addition to your scaled scores, the ACT provides subscores for specific skill areas within each subject. For example, in the English section, you’ll receive subscores for Usage/Mechanics and Rhetorical Skills. These subscores help you identify your strengths and areas for improvement.
The ACT also includes reporting category scores, which show the number of correct answers out of the total questions in each category, along with a percentage. This detailed breakdown gives you deeper insights into your performance on specific types of questions.
ACT Percentile Rankings and College Readiness Benchmarks
Your ACT scores are compared to those of other students to determine your percentile rankings at both the state and national levels. These rankings show how your performance stacks up against other test-takers.
Additionally, the ACT provides College Readiness Benchmark scores. These benchmarks are associated with a 50% chance of earning at least a C in related college courses. The current benchmarks are:
English: 18
Math: 22
Reading: 22
Science: 23
STEM: 26
ELA: 20
These benchmarks help you gauge your preparedness for college-level coursework and identify areas where you may need additional study.
Key Takeaways
Scaled Scores: ACT scores are scaled from 1-36 based on the number of correct answers (raw score) and the difficulty of the questions.
Subscores and Reporting Categories: These provide insights into specific skills, allowing for a more detailed understanding of your performance.
Percentile Rankings: These rankings compare your scores to those of other students, offering a sense of where you stand.
College Readiness Benchmarks: These scores estimate your likelihood of success in related college courses.
Conclusion
By understanding how ACT scores are calculated, you can better strategize your preparation and focus on areas that will maximize your performance on test day. Knowing the ins and outs of the ACT scoring system can give you the confidence and clarity you need to achieve your best possible score.
We understand that the application process can be overwhelming, so we want to reassure you that we are here for you. The study abroad experts at Hello Study Global are there for you every step of the way. From preparing for entrance exams to college applications, we will guide you to success, providing the support and guidance you need to navigate this process with confidence.
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