# ACT Score Calculator

Calculate your ACT composite score from English, Math, Reading, and Science sections. See your percentile ranking and how competitive your score is.

## What this calculates

Plug in your four ACT section scores and instantly see your composite score and estimated percentile. The composite is simply the average of your English, Math, Reading, and Science scores, rounded to the nearest whole number.

## Inputs

- **English Score** — min 1, max 36 — 75 questions, 45 minutes
- **Math Score** — min 1, max 36 — 60 questions, 60 minutes
- **Reading Score** — min 1, max 36 — 40 questions, 35 minutes
- **Science Score** — min 1, max 36 — 40 questions, 35 minutes

## Outputs

- **Composite Score**
- **Estimated Percentile** — formatted as text
- **Exact Average**
- **Assessment** — formatted as text

## Details

Your ACT composite score is calculated by averaging your four section scores:

Composite = (English + Math + Reading + Science) / 4, rounded to the nearest whole number.

What's a Good ACT Score?

  - 36: Perfect score (top 1%)

  - 30-35: Excellent, competitive for Ivy League and top-tier schools

  - 26-29: Above average, competitive for most universities

  - 20-25: Average range (national average is about 20.8)

  - Below 20: Below average, but improvement is very achievable

For example, if you scored English 28, Math 26, Reading 30, and Science 24, your composite would be (28+26+30+24)/4 = 27, putting you in roughly the 87th percentile.

Section Breakdown

  SectionQuestionsTimeWhat It Tests
  English7545 minGrammar, rhetoric, style
  Math6060 minAlgebra through trig
  Reading4035 minComprehension, analysis
  Science4035 minData interpretation, reasoning

## Frequently Asked Questions

**Q: How is the ACT composite score calculated?**

A: The ACT composite score is the average of your four section scores (English, Math, Reading, and Science), rounded to the nearest whole number. If the average is exactly halfway (like 24.5), it rounds up to 25.

**Q: What is the average ACT score?**

A: The national average ACT composite score is about 20.8. This puts the average test taker at roughly the 50th percentile. The average has been gradually declining over recent years.

**Q: Does the ACT writing section affect the composite score?**

A: No. The optional ACT writing section is scored separately on a scale of 2-12 and does not factor into your composite score. Some colleges require it, but it won't change your 1-36 composite.

**Q: Can I superscore the ACT?**

A: Many colleges accept ACT superscores, which means they take your highest score from each section across multiple test dates and average those. Check with your target schools since policies vary.

**Q: What ACT score do I need for a scholarship?**

A: Scholarship thresholds vary widely by school. Many state universities offer merit scholarships starting around 28-30. Highly competitive scholarships typically require 33+. Check specific schools for their current cutoffs.

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Source: https://vastcalc.com/calculators/everyday/act-score
Category: Everyday Life
Last updated: 2026-04-08