The ACT score calculator computes your composite score from your four section scores, shows your national percentile rank, and converts your score to an SAT equivalent using the official concordance table.
Your Section Scores
Enter your scaled score (1–36) for each section.
Enter your section scores to calculate your composite ACT score.
ACT Composite Score
Section Scores
SAT Equivalent
Based on College Board concordance tables
ACT Composite Score Reference
| Score Range | Percentile (approx.) | Rating | SAT Equivalent |
|---|---|---|---|
| 33–36 | 99th | Excellent | 1490–1600 |
| 28–32 | 88–98th | Very Good | 1310–1480 |
| 24–27 | 73–87th | Good | 1160–1300 |
| 20–23 | 47–72nd | Average | 1010–1150 |
| 16–19 | 23–46th | Below Average | 870–1000 |
| 1–15 | 1–22nd | Needs Improvement | 400–860 |
How Your ACT Composite Score Is Calculated
The ACT score calculator uses the official scoring method to compute your composite. Understanding how your score is calculated helps you identify where to focus your preparation for maximum score improvement.
The Composite Formula
Your composite score is the average of your four scaled section scores, rounded to the nearest whole number. If your sections are English 28, Math 25, Reading 30, Science 27, your composite is (28 + 25 + 30 + 27) / 4 = 27.5, which rounds to 28.
Section Weights and Strategy
Each section contributes equally to the composite — no section is worth more than another. If you want to raise your composite by 2 points, you need to raise your total section score sum by 8 points. Focus on whichever sections have the highest gap between your current score and your target.
ACT to SAT Conversion
The official ACT-SAT concordance from College Board shows that ACT 36 equals SAT 1600, ACT 30 equals about SAT 1360, and ACT 20 equals about SAT 1010. These are approximate — the two tests measure slightly different skills, so the "equivalent" is a statistical match based on test-taker performance percentiles.
Superscoring
Many colleges now superscore the ACT, meaning they take your highest section scores from multiple test dates to calculate your best composite. For example, if you scored English 30, Math 25 in April, and English 27, Math 31 in September, your superscore composite would be calculated using English 30 and Math 31. Check whether your target schools superscore before deciding how many times to take the test.
FAQ
How is the ACT composite score calculated?
The ACT composite score is the average of your four section scores (English, Mathematics, Reading, Science) rounded to the nearest whole number. Each section is scored on a scale of 1-36.
What is a good ACT score?
The national average ACT composite score is around 20. A score of 24+ puts you in the top 25%, 28+ in the top 10%, and 30+ in approximately the top 5%. Highly selective colleges typically expect 33+ composite scores.
How do I convert my ACT score to an SAT score?
ACT and SAT use different scales, but College Board provides an official concordance table. Our calculator uses the published ACT-to-SAT concordance: ACT 36 = SAT 1600, ACT 30 = SAT 1360, ACT 24 = SAT 1160, ACT 20 = SAT 1010.
What is the highest possible ACT score?
The highest possible ACT composite score is 36. Each of the four sections (English, Math, Reading, Science) is also scored on a 1-36 scale.
How many times can I take the ACT?
You can take the ACT as many times as you want, though most students take it 2-3 times. Many colleges accept your best composite score (superscore), and some accept superscoring across separate test dates by taking the highest section scores.
Is the ACT or SAT better for me?
Most colleges accept both equally. The ACT tests Science reasoning while the SAT does not. The SAT has a stronger reading comprehension focus. Try a practice test for each and compare how comfortable you feel with the format and timing.