Convert your enhanced ACT raw scores into 1–36 scaled scores and your composite. Move the sliders for English, Math, and Reading; Science is optional and reported separately.
How is the ACT scored?
The enhanced ACT has three required sections for the composite: English (50 questions), Math (45), and Reading (36). Science (40 questions) is optional. Each section is scored 1–36, and the composite is the rounded average of English, Math, and Reading.
There is no penalty for wrong answers, so always fill in every bubble. Each section's raw-to-scaled conversion comes from a slightly different table that ACT adjusts to keep scores comparable across test dates. Our anchors are an unofficial preview and should be treated as an estimate, not an official score report.
Worked example
If you scored English 28, Math 26, and Reading 30, your composite is (28+26+30) ÷ 3 = 28. Science may still appear as a separate 1–36 score if you take it, but it does not change the composite under the enhanced ACT rules.
When to use this calculator
Use it after taking an official enhanced ACT practice test to estimate your composite. The Science slider is useful if you plan to take the optional Science section and want a separate 1–36 estimate, but the composite shown here follows the current English + Math + Reading rule.
24+ is above the national average (~21). 28+ is competitive for most public universities, 31+ for selective private colleges, and 33+ for highly selective schools (top 25). 35–36 puts you in the top 1%.
Should I take the SAT or the ACT?
All colleges accept either. The ACT is still faster-paced, but the enhanced version makes Science optional and bases the composite on English, Math, and Reading. SAT is fully adaptive and digital. Take a practice of each and compare your percentile or concordance-equivalent score.
Should I take the optional ACT Writing section?
Few colleges still require it. Check the schools on your list — if none require Writing, you can skip it to save 40 minutes and the extra fee.
Is there a wrong-answer penalty on the ACT?
No. Like the SAT, the ACT removed the wrong-answer penalty years ago. Always guess on every question you don't have time to solve properly.
Can I retake just one section of the ACT?
ACT section retesting policies and availability vary by test program and year. Check your ACT account for the current options before planning around a single-section retake.
