How the ACT composite is calculated
Since the Enhanced ACT launched (online in April 2025 and on all national paper tests from September 2025), the composite score is the average of three sections — English, Math and Reading — rounded to the nearest whole number, with .5 rounding up. Science is now optional and no longer counts toward the composite. Each section is scored from 1 to 36.
Example: English 27, Math 25, Reading 29 → (27 + 25 + 29) ÷ 3 = 27.0 → composite 27.
Enhanced ACT format
| Section | Questions | Time |
|---|---|---|
| English | 50 | 35 minutes |
| Math | 45 | 50 minutes |
| Reading | 36 | 40 minutes |
| Science (optional) | 40 | 40 minutes |
| Writing (optional) | 1 essay | 40 minutes |
STEM score
If you take Science, the ACT also reports a STEM score that combines Math and Science. Many engineering and science programs look at it. The calculator estimates it as the rounded average of your Math and Science scores.
What is a good ACT score?
The national average composite is around 19–20. A 24 puts you in roughly the top quarter of test-takers, 28+ is competitive for many selective colleges, and 33–36 is typical at the most selective universities. Compare schools' middle-50% ranges on their admissions pages.
Superscoring
Many colleges "superscore" the ACT: they take your best section scores across all test dates and recompute the composite. Tick the superscore box and enter your best scores to see your superscore.
ACT vs. SAT
The calculator converts your composite to an equivalent SAT total using the official ACT/College Board concordance tables. Use our SAT to ACT converter to go the other way, and our GPA calculator for the rest of your application.
Frequently asked questions
How is the new ACT composite calculated?
Is science still on the ACT?
What ACT score equals a 1300 SAT?
Is a 25 a good ACT score?
Sources & methodology
This calculator was last reviewed on November 1, 2026. Figures are based on the following official and primary sources:
Spotted an error? Tell us and we'll fix it quickly. Read how we build and update our tools in our editorial policy.