# ACT score calculator

Canonical: https://duckyhelper.com/tools/act-score-calculator/
Updated: 2026-10-01

Your ACT Composite is the average of your English, math and reading scores, rounded to the nearest whole number, with one-half rounding up. Since September 2025, science no longer counts in the Composite on any ACT test; it gets its own score and a STEM score. Enter your section scores to see both.

## How the ACT Composite is calculated

Each section is scored from 1 to 36. Add your English, math and reading scores, divide by 3 and round. ACT rounds fractions under one-half down and fractions of one-half or more up.

$$
\text{Composite} = \operatorname{round}\left(\frac{E + M + R}{3}\right)
$$

If you take the science section, you also get a **STEM score**: the average of math and science, rounded the same way. The optional writing test is scored 2 to 12 and never changes the Composite.

> **Note: What changed in 2025**
>
> ACT began leaving science out of the Composite for National online tests in April 2025, and all ACT tests used the new calculation from September 2025. Before that, the Composite averaged four sections, science included. ACT says the two Composites can be used interchangeably and does not recalculate old scores. Tick the box in the calculator for a test taken under the old rule.

## Worked examples

**Example 1: the current rule**

Problem: English 28, math 31, reading 26, science 29. What are the Composite and STEM scores?

1. Average English, math and reading.

   $$
   \frac{28 + 31 + 26}{3} = \frac{85}{3} = 28.33
   $$
2. The fraction is under one-half, so round down. Science does not enter the Composite.

   $$
   28.33 \to 28
   $$
3. STEM averages math and science.

   $$
   \frac{31 + 29}{2} = 30
   $$

Answer: Composite 28, STEM 30

**Example 2: a legacy test and a one-half**

Problem: A test from before the change: English 25, math 26, reading 25, science 26. What was the Composite?

1. The legacy rule averages all four sections.

   $$
   \frac{25 + 26 + 25 + 26}{4} = \frac{102}{4} = 25.5
   $$
2. Exactly one-half rounds up.

   $$
   25.5 \to 26
   $$

Answer: Composite 26

## ACT score ranges

| Score | Range | In the Composite? |
| --- | --- | --- |
| English | 1 to 36 | Yes |
| Math | 1 to 36 | Yes |
| Reading | 1 to 36 | Yes |
| Science (optional) | 1 to 36 | No, since 2025 |
| STEM (math and science) | 1 to 36 | No |
| Writing (optional) | 2 to 12 | No |
| Composite | 1 to 36 | It is the Composite |

## Frequently asked questions

### Does science count in the ACT Composite?

Not anymore. Since September 2025 every ACT test calculates the Composite from English, math and reading only. Science is optional; if you take it you get a science score and a STEM score. Some colleges still ask for science, so check each college's testing page.

### How does ACT round the Composite?

ACT averages your section scores and rounds to the nearest whole number. Fractions less than one-half round down and fractions of one-half or more round up. With three sections the average never lands exactly on one-half, so 28.33 becomes 28 and 30.67 becomes 31.

### Is my old ACT score still valid?

Yes. ACT does not recalculate Composite scores from tests taken before the change, and it says old and new Composites can be used interchangeably. Use the legacy box in the calculator to check a score from an older test.

### How does the ACT superscore work now?

An ACT superscore averages your best English, math and reading scores from any test dates, legacy or enhanced, rounded the same way. Science still appears on the report but is not part of the superscore Composite.

### What SAT score matches my ACT Composite?

Use the official ACT/SAT concordance. For example, an ACT 29 matches an SAT 1340. The [SAT to ACT conversion tool](https://duckyhelper.com/tools/sat-act-conversion/) looks up any score both ways.

## Sources

- [ACT: Understanding your ACT scores](https://www.act.org/content/act/en/products-and-services/the-act/scores/understanding-your-scores.html), accessed 2026-10-01
- [ACT: The enhanced ACT test, educator guide (PDF)](https://www.act.org/content/dam/act/unsecured/documents/act-enhancements-educator-guide.pdf), accessed 2026-10-01
- [ACT: Interpreting scores on the enhanced ACT (PDF)](https://www.act.org/content/dam/act/unsecured/documents/Interpreting-Scores-on-the-Enhanced-ACT.pdf), accessed 2026-10-01

## Related

- [SAT to ACT conversion](https://duckyhelper.com/tools/sat-act-conversion/)
- [SAT superscore calculator](https://duckyhelper.com/tools/sat-superscore-calculator/)
- [ACT prep, one question at a time, out loud](https://duckyhelper.com/for/act-prep/)

## Try asking Ducky

- "My ACT reading score is lowest. Give me a timed passage and go over my misses."
- "Quiz me on the math topics the ACT tests most."
- "Explain why this ACT English answer is wrong."

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