ACT Scoring Guide
How ACT scoring works, full percentile tables, college score requirements for 20 top schools, and what counts as a good ACT score.
Last updated: 2026 · Data from 2023 ACT national norms
How ACT Scoring Works
ACT scoring follows a three-step process: your raw score (number of correct answers) is converted to a scaled section score (1–36), and then your composite score is calculated as the average of the four section scores, rounded to the nearest whole number.
For example, if you score English 28, Math 30, Reading 26, and Science 32, your composite is (28 + 30 + 26 + 32) / 4 = 29.
Section Score Details
Each section uses a different raw-to-scaled conversion because the number of questions differs. Here is the maximum raw score for each section and the corresponding scale:
| Section | Total Questions | Max Raw Score | Scale Score Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| English | 75 | 75 | 1–36 |
| Math | 60 | 60 | 1–36 |
| Reading | 40 | 40 | 1–36 |
| Science | 40 | 40 | 1–36 |
The optional Writing section is scored separately on a scale of 2–12 by two graders (each scoring 1–6). It does not affect your composite score.
Sub-scores & Reporting Categories
In addition to section scores, the ACT reports STEM and ELA scores (each 1–36) and several reporting category scores that break down your performance by content area within each section.
Composite Score Percentiles (2023)
Percentile ranks tell you what percentage of test-takers scored at or below your score. The table below uses 2023 national norms.
| Composite Score | Percentile Rank |
|---|---|
| 36 | 99+% |
| 35 | 99% |
| 34 | 99% |
| 33 | 98% |
| 32 | 97% |
| 31 | 96% |
| 30 | 95% |
| 29 | 93% |
| 28 | 91% |
| 27 | 87% |
| 26 | 84% |
| 25 | 80% |
| 24 | 74% |
| 23 | 68% |
| 22 | 62% |
| 21 | 57% |
| 20 | 50% |
| 19 | 44% |
| 18 | 38% |
| 17 | 32% |
| 16 | 26% |
| 15 | 20% |
College Score Requirements
The table below shows typical ACT score ranges (middle 50% of admitted students) for 20 competitive US colleges and universities. These are guidelines — admissions decisions consider many factors beyond test scores.
| School | Typical ACT Range |
|---|---|
| MIT | 34–36 |
| Harvard | 34–36 |
| Stanford | 33–35 |
| Yale | 33–35 |
| Princeton | 33–35 |
| Columbia | 34–35 |
| UPenn | 33–35 |
| Duke | 33–35 |
| Brown | 33–35 |
| Dartmouth | 33–35 |
| UCLA | 27–34 |
| UC Berkeley | 28–34 |
| NYU | 31–34 |
| University of Michigan | 31–34 |
| Boston University | 30–34 |
| Northeastern | 33–35 |
| Georgetown | 32–35 |
| Tufts | 32–34 |
| Vanderbilt | 34–35 |
| Emory | 31–34 |
Note: Many schools have adopted test-optional policies in recent years. Check each school's current admissions requirements for the most up-to-date information.
Superscoring
Many colleges "superscore" the ACT — they take the highest section scores from multiple test dates and average those to create a new composite. For example, if you took the ACT twice:
| Section | Test 1 | Test 2 | Superscore |
|---|---|---|---|
| English | 28 | 31 | 31 |
| Math | 32 | 29 | 32 |
| Reading | 26 | 30 | 30 |
| Science | 30 | 28 | 30 |
| Composite | 29 | 30 | 31 |
In this example, the student's best single-sitting composite was 30, but the superscore composite is 31. If your target schools superscore, it can be worth taking the ACT more than once to maximize each section.
Not all colleges superscore the ACT — check each school's policy. ACT, Inc. itself now offers a superscore option on your official score report.
Score Reporting Timeline
After taking the ACT, your scores become available according to the following general timeline:
What Is a Good ACT Score?
A "good" ACT score depends on your goals. Here are some general benchmarks:
Remember that your ACT score is just one part of your college application. A strong GPA, extracurricular activities, essays, and recommendations all play significant roles in admissions decisions.