
From September 2025, ACT Exam's Composite Score was made based on three subjects only, i.e. English, Mathematics and Reading. This change came into effect as a result of a major change that was made in the ACT exam syllabus. The change incorporated moving Science subject into a student choice or optional subject for the ACT.
ACT, Inc., the conducting body of the ACT exam, notified the old test takers that their scores from previous ACT tests will remain unchanged and will not be recalculated.
The ACT exam result is scored on a scale of 1 to 36 and declared 2-8 weeks after taking the test. The ACT test report often contains section-wise scores and one complete composite score. The ACT Scores can only be accessed by logging into the "My ACT" portal.
Test takers must note that any information on ACT results and scores will not be provided through any other mode of communication, such as by phone, email, chat, or fax.
- ACT Exam Scoring Pattern 2026
- Processing Times for Different Tasks on the ACT Test
- ACT Score Reporting Dates 2026
- How to Check ACT 2026 Results?
- How ACT 2026 is scored?
- ACT Results 2026
- ACT Exam Results 2026 FAQs
ACT Exam Scoring Pattern 2026
Each section of ACT is scored on a scale of 1 to 36 points. Composite score is an average of three subjects tests on the ACT, i.e. English, Maths and Reading sections. Students taking optional science or writing tests will receive a writing score for that section ranging from 1 to 36. The scores from the optional subjects do not affect the composite score of the main subjects.
- ACT Scores release two weeks after the test date.
- ACT Scores can be accessed through students' "My ACT" accounts.
- Writing test score and science section's test scores are released separately and do not affect composite score of the candidate.
- ACT score ranges from 1 to 36.
Here are average ACT scores by sections:
| ACT Test Sections |
ACT Section-wise Average Scores |
|---|---|
| English |
20.3 |
| Math |
20.9 |
| Reading |
21.3 |
| Science |
20.8 |
| Composite ACT Score |
21.0 |
Also Read: Merit Scholarships for SAT and ACT Scores
Commonly asked questions
The best score is 36. People call it a "perfect score." It is very hard to get. It is the average of your four parts: English, Math, Reading, and Science. Even getting a 30 is super good for big colleges. Dont stress about perfection, getting a 36 is rare. Just do your best on the test day.
There is no specific answer to this, usually, tier 1 universities prefer candidates with ACT composite scores of 30 or more. Since a lot of universities have become test-optional the may not require applicants to submit an ACT score at all. But there are applicants who would still submit an ACT score to prove their academic knowledge and analytical side too. Thus, there is no answer to the question as to what is a good ACT composite score, it all ultimately depends upon how th student wants to portray it.
Yes, the ACT superscoring is now available. The ACT superscores will automatically be calculated for the students who have taken the ACT test more than once since September 2016 until now.
You can also combine your ACT scores from different test dates. For example, you can combine your writing scores from one test date and multiple choice test reports from another test date.
Processing Times for Different Tasks on the ACT Test
The time it takes to access different sections of the ACT exam varies.
- Multiple-choice Questions: The scores for the multiple-choice questions are processed and hence, posted online within 2 business days of taking the ACT exam. However, this period may even stretch to up to 8 weeks.
- Writing Section: The writing section's scores are released after the scores of multiple choice questions are released. Generally, the ACT's writing section scores are released 2-3 weeks after the writing sections result release date.
- Special Testing Scores: These scores are generally released 2-10 weeks after the test date.
Since, only limited ACT exam slots re available for ACT around the year, it is important that you register for one in time. Check out the ACT test registration process in detail.
Commonly asked questions
If you want to do engineering, aim for a 30 or higher. For regular arts courses, a score of 25 to 27 is good enough. It depends on the college you apply to. Strong math scores help your total marks a lot. Practice geometry problems to boost the score.
Your ACT exam scores begin to get reported within two business days of you taking the test. Even though ACT is committed to providing the test scores as quickly as possible, some infrequencies may cause the result to get ready in as long as 8 weeks.
A good ACT score varies as per your goals and the colleges ytou choose. The good ACT score is thus "relative" that depends on your specific college goals. The key is to score at or above the average ACT score for the colleges you're applying to, which gives you a strong chance of acceptance. Subsequently, may universities accept ACT scores in the mid 20s while some accept above scores 30.
ACT Score Reporting Dates 2026
The general time of ACT results delivery ranges from 1-8 weeks. However, ACT Inc. claims that only 97% of results get ready within this period. Even though the ACT scores keep on getting processed during the regular business hours, the result delivery may face a delay. Hence, exact dates for ACT results delivery are not given.
The proposed ACT score reporting dates for te latest ACT tests in 2025 and the ones to be conducted in 2026 are given in the table below:
| ACT Score Reporting Dates | |
|---|---|
| ACT International Test Dates 2025 and 2026 | Estimated Earliest Possible Date for ACT MCQ Scores Announcement Online |
| 12-13 Dec 2025 | 19 Dec 2025 |
| 06-07 Feb 2026 | 13 Feb 2026 |
| 10-11 April 2026 | 17 Apr 2026 |
| 12-13 June 2026 | 19 June 2026 |
| 10-11 July 2026 | 17 July 2026 |
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.
Possible reasosn for delay in ACT Results Delivery
Not so often, but whenever a delay in results delivery is observed for the ACT test, one or more of the following can be the reasons for the same-
- The concerned ACT test centre has been flagged as having some irregularity
- Your test report has not cleared the scoring accuracy checks yet. These tests are conducted to ensure reliable and correct scores.
- In some special cases, it might have happened that the test notebooks arrived late to the main hub for scoring or they have been forwarded to the main centre with inappropriate/incomplete information.
Commonly asked questions
Yes, 27 is a solid score! You are better than the average student. Many top universities accepts the score of 27. If you want Ivy League try for a better score. But 27 is a good score.
No, 17.5 score on ACT is considered an average score. Getting 17.5 score on may limit your chances of getting admitted to a university in USA. So aim for a higher score.
ACT is committed to providing you exam scores as early as possible and your responses in the exam start getting examined within two business days after your test. However, this whole process of score reporting may eve stretch to up to 8 weeks.
As per the older patterns, here are the tentative ACT exam score reporting dates for the upcoming testing windows:
| Tentative Score Reporting Dates of the Upcoming ACT Exams in 2025 | |
|---|---|
| ACT Exam Dates 2025 | ACT Score Reporting Timeframe |
13-14 June 2025 | 23 June 2025 - 08 Aug 2025 |
11-12 July, 2025 | 21 July 2025 - 06 Sep 2025 |
05-06 Sep 2025 | 15 Sep 2025 - 01 Nov 2025 |
17-18 Oct 2025 | 27 Oct 2025 - 12 Dec 2025 |
12-13 Dec 2025 | 22 Dec 2025 - 07 Feb 2025 |
How to Check ACT 2026 Results?
Once the scores are released, students can access them using their MyACT accounts. Scores are added every week, so students should keep on checking the scores till the time they see their final scores. Check out the ACT exam preparation tips to perform well in the test.
- 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 reporting process.
ACT Score Validity: ACT total scores are valid for five years after the testing year in which you tested.
Commonly asked questions
ACT score reports are sent to various recipients like the college or university the applicant is applying to. There are different types of ACT score reports and each of them are delivered in a different time frame, the table below gives details of the types of ACT score reports and the time frame in which they are delivered:
| Types of ACT score report | Where it's delivered? | When it's delivered? | What it reports? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student report | Applicant's online ACT web account | 2–8 weeks after the test date | ACT scores, college and career planning information |
| High school report | Applicant's high school via online reporting | ||
| College report | Each valid college code applicant listed and paid for when they registered or tested (up to six) | Varies based on college and when ordered | Everything on the Student and High School Report, plus the grades reported in up to 30 high school courses; it may also include performance prediction. |
The ACT score report includes your section scores, composite score, and reporting category scores. There are different types of ACT score reports and each of them are delivered in a certain time frame and each of them record a certain set of things. The students have to be clear as to what type of ACT score report they are wanting to receive or want their recipients to receive on their behalf. The score reports of ACT includes ACT scores, college plus career planning, performance prediction, etc.
A good ACT score depends on the college/university that you're applying to. However, an ACT score between 28-36 is generally considered good and is accepted by most of the top-tier institutions.
How ACT 2026 is scored?
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 wrong answer. If you are not yet fully prepared to take the ACT exam then yoiu might land up having low scores on your exam. Thats'n why, planning of when to take the exam is important. Read this guide to know when you should take the ACT exam based on several different parameters concerned.
- 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 tests, these raw scores are converted to a scale of 1
- 36. - This is done to invalidate effects of difficulty level variability across different test dates as it is not feasible to set question papers of exact same difficulty level.
- Composite score is average score of converted scaled scores of four tests which are rounded off to nearest whole number.
- If in case there is a difference of more than one point between two examiners in awarded score then a third examiner evaluates test.
- Final score for writing test is derived by adding marks of both evaluators.
- Students' English Writing and Reading scores are again converted on a scale to formulate English Language Arts (ELA) score.
- ELA will not be generated for ACT without writing aspirants.
- ACT writing test is scored on a scale of 2 – 12. 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: writing test score does not affect students’ composite scores.
Commonly asked questions
The lowest possible ACT composite score is 1. Note that each section (English, Math, and Reading) is also scored on a scale of 1 to 36.
ACT score of 26 is equal to 83rd percentile. This means you scored higher than 83% of all ACT exam takers. This is a strong score, competitive for many colleges and universities.
There is no specific answer to this, usually, tier 1 universities prefer candidates with ACT composite scores of 30 or more. Since a lot of universities have become test-optional the may not require applicants to submit an ACT score at all. But there are applicants who would still submit an ACT score to prove their academic knowledge and analytical side too. Thus, there is no answer to the question as to what is a good ACT composite score, it all ultimately depends upon how th student wants to portray it.
ACT Results 2026
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.
Also check- How is ACT different from SAT?
Commonly asked questions
While an ACT score of 30 is excellent, Harvard University's admitted student average is typically much higher, often in the 33-35 range. A 30 might not be competitive enough on its own for Harvard, but strong academics and extracurriculars could help.
The ACT score report includes your section scores, composite score, and reporting category scores. There are different types of ACT score reports and each of them are delivered in a certain time frame and each of them record a certain set of things. The students have to be clear as to what type of ACT score report they are wanting to receive or want their recipients to receive on their behalf. The score reports of ACT includes ACT scores, college plus career planning, performance prediction, etc.
MIT generally seeks ACT scores in the range of 34-36 for international admissions. However, there's no official minimum score requirement described by the university.
ACT Exam Results 2026 FAQs
Check out the commonly asked questions about ACT test results below.
Commonly asked questions
If you have scored a perfect ACT score then you need not retake it. Retake option for ACT is for those who scored lower than they expected and if they may not get admission. You might score less on your second attempt. ACT retest is for those who are dissatisfied with their exam scores. Once an applicant has a perfect score on ACT as per university's requirements there is absolutely no need for them to retake the exam.
Yes, if the applicant feels that they have been marked incorrectly on a correctly answered question on the ACT exam, they can raise a request for score verification. For this they will have to fill up a pdf form and attach a cheque for ACT Customer Support. Once the form is submitted, the applicant's responses will be checked as per the correct score key and match the answers, in case of essay also, they would be evaluated by independent plus qualified readers to check if assessment was done correctly. In case the scores increase or even if they decrease the applicant would get a new score from ACT in both cases.
The ACT exam scores are released within 2 days to 8 weeks after the test date. Test takers can access their ACT test results on their MyACT portal.
Students willing to save their ACT results can do so by printing their ACT results page from the MyACT dashboard as the PDF form of the ACT results are currently unavailable.
You can check your ACT exam scores on your dedicated "MyACT" account. You can simply just log into your account and look for the results section. Note that signing into your ACT account to look for results does not fasten up ACT's result declaration process.
Each of the ACT sections whether Reading, Math, English, and Science are scored on a range of 1-36. You get an overall ACT score depending on the number of correct answers you gave. The average ACT score of four sections, also known as the composite score, is the final score. This means that the scores of all the sections are added together and divided by four to get the composite score.
There is no negative marking for incorrect answers plus unattempted questions. Based on the above explanation of how scoring on ACT is done, the results are compiled.
Following table shows how the ACT band score is calculated based on section wise performance of the applicant in ACT exam:
| ACT Score Calculation | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Scale Score | English Raw Score | Math Raw Score | Reading Raw Score | Science Raw Score |
| 36 | 75 | 59—60 | 40 | 40 |
| 35 | 73–74 | 57–58 | 39 | 39 |
| 34 | 71–72 | 55–56 | 38 | 38 |
| 33 | 70 | 54 | — | 37 |
| 32 | 69 | 53 | 37 | — |
You don't need to do anything to calculate or check your ACT exam superscore. ACT provides you the superscore of your ACT exam automatically if you have taken the exam more than once after September 2016.
No, 17.5 score on ACT is considered an average score. Getting 17.5 score on may limit your chances of getting admitted to a university in USA. So aim for a higher score.
ACT scores are between 1-36. This is the standard ACT score range. Based on performance on different sections of ACT applicants get scores from 1-36 for their correctly answered questions.
To improve your ACT test scores by 10 points, you need to identify the areas of your weakness and strengths abnd then work accordingly on your weaker areas. Using the official ACT study materials and strategies, consistent practising with timed sections, and reviewing incorrect answers can help you a lot in getting good marks on the ACT.
Applicants should begin preparing for ACT exam a month or two prior to the ACT exam date preferably. However, those applicants who are weaker in any of the four sections of either Reading, Writing, Maths or Science can begin preparing for ACT slightly earlier based on their previous knowledge or preparation. Max to max one should keep atleast two months in hand in this scenario. Plus more time would be needed to attempt mocks as well.
ACT multiple-choice scores are typically available online within 2-8 weeks after your test date. If you took the ACT with writing, essay scores are usually available about 2 weeks after your multiple-choice scores.
If you want to do engineering, aim for a 30 or higher. For regular arts courses, a score of 25 to 27 is good enough. It depends on the college you apply to. Strong math scores help your total marks a lot. Practice geometry problems to boost the score.
The Harvard University does not prefer one test over the other; the university accepts either the SAT or the ACT. The university also encourages applicants to submit the test that best highlights their academic strengths.
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