Receiving Your Score
Most ACT scores are available online within 2 ½ weeks after
each national test date. This service allows you to view your
scores before your official score report arrives by mail. (Score
reports for those testing outside the U.S. are not available
online). The ACT website offers a full listing of score availability dates.
Score reports are usually
mailed to your home within 4 to 7 weeks after each test date. If
you took the Writing Test, your score report will be mailed only
after your Writing scores are available. The essay you write will
also be available to the high school and colleges to which you
have ACT report scores for that test date.
Understanding Your Score
Each of the four multiple-choice ACT test sections (English,
Mathematics, Reading, and Science) is scored on a scale of 1-36.
You will also receive a composite score, which is the average of
your four test scores (1-36).
Your score report also includes national rankings. These let
you compare your performance against students across the country.
For instance, if you ranked in the 90th percentile on the
Mathematics Test, that means you did better than 89 percent of
other students, while 10 percent fared better than you.
If you take the Writing Test, you will receive a Writing Test
subscore (ranging from 0 to 12) and a combined English/Writing
score (ranging from 1 to 36), along with comments about your
essay. Keep in mind that you must take both the English and
Writing Tests to receive Writing scores. The Combined
English/Writing score is created by using a formula that weights
the English Test score two-thirds and the Writing Test score
one-third to form a combined score. This combined score is then
reported on a 1-36 scale. Please note that taking the Writing
Test does not affect your subject area scores or your Composite
score.
The Writing Test
Keep in mind that not all schools will use your Writing Test
score in the same way. Some elite schools that have traditionally
required the SAT Writing Subject Test are using the ACT Writing
Test as a formal piece of the admissions process. Other schools
have indicated that they will look at Writing Test scores, but
that they will not give them much, if any, consideration. These
schools are primarily trying to get an understanding of the
scores in conjunction with applications. A third group of schools
is still on the fence and is waiting for more information to
become available before making a decision.
On the ACT website you can search for Writing Test requirements by
school. As you refine your target school list based
on your scores, you should reconfirm with each school to
determine how they will be using your Writing score.
Testing Again
If you got your dream score, congratulations! You can now get
to work on your Subject Tests,
AP exams, and college
applications.
If you aren't happy with your score, don't despair! Keep in
mind that most students take the ACT more than once, and some
even take it three times! Use the information in your score
report to help you understand your strengths and weaknesses and
to hone your preparation for your next ACT. And remember that
with the ACT, you decide which scores are sent to colleges.
Keep in mind that you cannot combine scores from
different test dates to create your best composite score, and you
cannot report only your Writing scores (or only your
multiple-choice scores) from a test date. All scores from a test
date will be reported together.
