Understanding how your ACT scores were reached can be a little tricky. Here are some key points to help you interpret your scores:

For the English, Mathematics, Reading, and Science sections:

• Correct answers are tallied. There are no point deductions for incorrect answers (no guessing penulty).
• “Raw scores” for each main section are converted into “scale scores.” Scale scores standardize ACT scores across all different versions of the test and different dates.
• Your scores on each test section (English, Math, Reading, and Science) can range between 1 and 36. Your Composite score is the average of your four test scores.
• Your subscores for the categories within each section are then calculated so that they fall between 1 and 18. (Subscores do not directly add up to your test scores.)

For the optional Writing section:

• Two readers will give your essay a score between 1 and 6. These two scores added together are your Writing subscore.
• Your Writing subscore is then given a weight of 1/3 and combined with your English section score, weighted at 2/3, to reach your Combined English/Writing score, scaled between 1 and 36. This score is reported separately from your other section scores (English, Math, Reading, and Science).

You can learn more about your scores and how they are determined at the ACT student website.