ACT Exam Result 2024: Check ACT Test Scores, Score Reporting & Validity

Each section of the ACT (English, Math, Reading, and Science) is scored on a scale of 1 to 36 points. The composite score is the average of all four tests. Students taking the optional writing test will receive a writing score for that section ranging from 1 to 36. The writing score does not affect the composite score.

• ACT Scores are released two weeks after the test date.
• ACT Scores can be accessed through students' "My ACT" accounts.
• The writing test score is released separately and does not affect the composite score of the candidate.
• The composite ACT score ranges from 1 to 36.

Here are the average ACT scores by sections:

Also Read: Merit Scholarships for SAT and ACT Scores

ACT has not given any specific date when your scores are to be reported. ACT Score is delivered after a certain period of time after the test date and is processed regularly during business hours. Let us check out the ACT score reporting dates of all the previous ACT tests in 2024-25 in the table below:

There may be a case when ACT results may be delayed and dates might vary, thus, applicants must keep a check on the official website for result announcements and plan accordingly to send across their scores to universities as well.

Once the scores are released, students can access them using their MyACT account. Scores are added every week, so, students should keep on checking the scores till the time they see their final scores.

• Usually, multiple-choice scores are available two business days after testing for those who have taken the test using computer-based testing. Also, students who have taken the test through paper-and-pencil get their scores two to ten weeks after the test date.
• Writing test scores are available about two to three weeks after the multiple-choice scores.
• Results for special testing are usually accessible within two to ten weeks from the date of the test.

Note: Your overall scores will not be officially reported until your writing scores have been added if you have completed the writing test. Checking your scores online will not accelerate the reporting process.

ACT Score Validity: The ACT total scores are valid for five years after the testing year in which you tested.

ACT scoring for writing tests and multiple-choice tests is different. For multiple-choice tests, a raw score of 1 is awarded for one correct answer and no marks for the wrong answer.

• For a test of 40 questions, a maximum of 40 can be scored and for 60 questions test, a maximum raw score of 60 can be scored.
• Then from each of the tests, these raw scores are converted to a scale of 1
  - 36.
• This is done to invalidate the effects of difficulty level variability across different test dates as it is not feasible to set question papers of exact same difficulty level.
• The composite score is the average score of converted scaled scores of the four tests which are rounded off to the nearest whole number.
• If in case there is a difference of more than one point between the two examiners in the awarded score then a third examiner evaluates the test.
• The final score for the writing test is derived by adding the marks of both evaluators.
• Students' English Writing and Reading scores are again converted on a scale to formulate the English Language Arts (ELA) score.
• ELA will not be generated for the ACT without writing aspirants.
• The ACT writing test is scored on a scale of 2 – 12. The test is evaluated by two examiners on a scale of 1 – 6 on four parameters namely ideas and analysis, development and support, organization and language use, and conventions.

Note: The writing test score does not affect students’ composite scores.

ACT test results are typically released within two to eight weeks of the test administration and ACT score reports can be viewed online. If you took the ACT with writing, your writing scores will be posted online as soon as they are ready, which is normally two weeks after your general scores are out. Once the ACT results are out, the scores have to be reported to the respective universities. There are 4 ACT score reports which are automatically sent to the universities chosen by the applicant during ACT registration for free. For each additional ACT scorecard, applicants will have to pay an additional fee.

ACT results can be shared based on the ACT super score also, in case the universities accept them. Super scores of ACT mean the best scores for each section will be considered and compiled and then sent by ACT to the respective universities. Thus, it is absolutely up to the applicant how they wish to share their ACT scorecards with the universities, either self-report the scores or ACT sending them officially to the universities. The option may be limited for a couple of universities so applicants must check before proceeding for sending their ACT result cards.