ACT Score Calculator (composite & STEM score from section scores)

Understanding the ACT score calculator — concept and principle

This calculator works out the ACT Composite score from the English, math and reading section scores, as on the enhanced ACT from 2025, and the STEM score from math and science. It also shows the older four-section composite and how many more points would raise your composite by one.

Average, then round: with the default inputs the result is Composite 24 (STEM 23 · 3 pts to 25).

How it is calculated

Composite = (English + math + reading) ÷ 3, rounded to the nearest whole number (a half rounds up)

STEM = (math + science) ÷ 2, rounded the same way

Older composite (before 2025) = (English + math + reading + science) ÷ 4, rounded

Points to the next composite = section points needed so the average reaches the next half-point

Each section score is on the 1–36 scale.

The principle

The ACT reports each section on a common 1–36 scale, so averaging them gives an overall measure. On the enhanced ACT, science became optional and no longer counts in the Composite, but it feeds the STEM score with math. Rounding to whole numbers means small differences in section scores can change the Composite by a point, which is why the distance to the next rounding threshold is useful.

Worked example

Default inputs: English 24, math 22, reading 25, science 23.

Average = (24 + 22 + 25) ÷ 3 = 71 ÷ 3 = 23.67 → Composite 24.
STEM = (22 + 23) ÷ 2 = 22.5 → 23.
Older composite = (24 + 22 + 25 + 23) ÷ 4 = 23.5 → 24.
Next composite (25) needs an average of 24.5, a total of 73.5 → 74; 74 − 71 = 3 more points.

How to read the result

Compare your composite with the middle 50% range published by the colleges you are interested in. Many colleges superscore, combining your best section scores from different test dates. Raw answers turn into section scores through a table that differs for each test form, so enter the section scores from your report.

Common mistakes

Including science in the enhanced ACT composite.
Entering raw scores (number correct) instead of scaled section scores.
Rounding down a half; the ACT rounds halves up.

Keep in mind: This calculator only does score arithmetic. Admission decisions depend on many factors and each college's policies.

Frequently asked questions

Does science count in the ACT composite?

Not on the enhanced ACT from 2025; it counts in the STEM score.

What is a good ACT score?

It depends on your target colleges; check their published score ranges.

What is superscoring?

Combining your best section scores from different test dates into a new composite.

Sources: ACT, Inc., "Understanding Your ACT Scores" and enhanced ACT score reporting information (act.org)

Checked 9 Nov 2026. ACT, Inc., “Understanding Your Scores” (Composite = average of English, math and reading, rounded to the nearest whole number; STEM = average of math and science) and “ACT Test Enhancements” (science optional and outside the Composite from 2025).

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