- The highest ACT score you can earn is 36.
- This is the composite ACT score and is calculated by averaging the scores in four sections: English, Mathematics, Reading, and Science.
- Each of the 4 ACT sections is scored on a scale of 1 – 36.
What is the Highest Possible ACT Score?
The highest possible ACT score a student can earn is a 36. This number refers to the composite score, which is the average score of the four parts of the test: English, Mathematics, Science, and Reading. The Writing portion is optional and is graded separately. It does not contribute to the composite score.
Is it really possible for students to score a 36 on the ACT test? Yes, absolutely!
Should you aim for the highest ACT score? Yes, you absolutely should! It’s a challenging goal but it is achievable.
If you’ve set your sights on acing your ACT test, here are some important things you should know.
READ MORE >> ACT Score Percentiles and Rankings
How is the ACT Graded?
The ACT is a standardized test made up of four mandatory sections and one optional section.
The ACT is graded on your abilities in the four mandatory sections – English, Mathematics, Science, and Reading. There are a total of 215 questions in these four sections. Each section receives a score of 1 – 36 and the average of those four scores results in your Composite score.
3 important facts you should know about how the ACT is scored:
- The ACT does not deduct points for incorrect answers. This means you should not omit any questions even if you aren’t sure about the answer. There’s a 50% chance you may get it right and there’s no penalty for guessing!
- The ACT counts the questions you got correct. This raw score is converted to “scale scores.”
- The Composite Score is rounded to the nearest whole number. That means you don’t need to score a perfect 36 on all 4 sections. If you score a 36 in 3 sections and 35 in the 4th, your average score would be 35.5. This rounded to the nearest whole number is 36.
LEARN MORE >> How The ACT Is Scored
The ACT Writing is Not Included in Your Composite Score
As we said earlier, the ACT Writing section is optional. This portion tests your ability to write an essay that presents a compelling argument with supporting evidence. This section is graded differently from the other mandatory sections and the score is kept separate from your Composite score.
The highest possible score for the Writing section is 12, and the lowest is 2. There are also four domain scores (2 – 12), which are Ideas and Analysis, Development and Support, Organization, and Language Use and Conventions.
What is the Average ACT Score?
While most students may aim to get the highest possible ACT score of 36, it can be a challenging goal. The average ACT score among students in the United States in the 2023-2024 reporting year was 18.5.
These are average ACT scores for the individual sections:
- English: 17.75
- Mathematics: 17
- Reading: 19.4
- Science: 19
This does not mean you cannot get a 36 but it does underline the amount of work you’re going to have to put into it.
What is the Average ACT Score to Get Accepted to College?
The average ACT score to get accepted to college depends on the college in question.
More competitive schools tend to accept students who have higher ACT scores. On collegeraptor.com, each individual school page highlights the 25th and 75th percentile scores for accepted students if the college reports these numbers.
Students looking to apply to these schools should note the highest ACT scores as this could increase their chances of getting an acceptance letter. Some colleges and universities will look for the max ACT score from their students!
As an example, we’ve highlighted the 75th and 25th percentile scores for accepted students in 2023 at Harvard University, Boston College, and Babson College.
Harvard University – ACT Scores
Boston College – ACT Scores
Babson College – ACT Scores
How Can You Score a 36 on the ACT?
While it isn’t easy to attain the highest score on the ACT, it is possible. In 2024 only, 3,041 of the 1,374,791 students scored a 36 on the ACT test. That’s 0.22% of test takers – which highlights how rare it is to earn this score.
Many students also received a 36 on their individual section scores:
- English: 11,026 students
- Mathematics: 5,281 students
- Reading: 22,164 students
- Science: 8,436 students
Tips to Get Your Highest ACT Score
If you’re aiming for a 36, you’re going to have to start early with your prep. Here are some suggestions for trying for a perfect ACT score.
1. Have the Right Approach to Practice Tests
One of the first steps you should take when it comes to ACT prep is taking a practice test. This will help you get a feeling for how the exam works, the types of questions that are asked, and where your strengths and weaknesses lie.
2. Take Your First Practice Test
Before you even study for the ACT, it may be a good idea to take an ACT practice test right out of the gate. See how you do with minimal prep and practice. This will give you direction for the weeks and months to come as you aim for that 36.
READ MORE >> Free ACT / SAT Test Prep Resources
3. Identify Your Strengths and Weaknesses
One of the biggest benefits of taking ACT practice tests is the ability to identify your strengths and weaknesses on the exam. Some may find at this point they’re better suited for the SAT, too! But knowing your weaker areas gives you direction on where to study.
After your first practice test, score it. Where did you succeed and where did you do less than expected?
4. Study, Study, Study
Once you know where your weaknesses are, you can start to study. If you did poorly on the ACT math but well on the other three sections, for example, you will want to dedicate more time to Math. That doesn’t mean you should ignore the other sections, however, but comparatively, more effort should be put towards mathematics.
Students can study for the ACT using flash cards, ACT study books, mobile apps, and other resources.
5. Take Additional Practice Tests
In between study periods, it can be helpful to take additional practice tests here and there. This approach will allow you to track your progress. You might even find you’re doing better in math and now reading needs work.
Practice tests should direct your studying approach, but your ACT prep shouldn’t 100% be taken up by practice tests either. You won’t advance much if you’re just taking exam after exam.
6. Always Follow the “Rules” of the ACT
Studying is essential, but it isn’t all there is to the ACT. When taking the practice tests, you should always try to recreate the “real deal.” This means adhering to the rules that you would face on test day: no turning back to previous sections, keeping within time limits, and taking scheduled breaks.
Students actually find while they can tackle the subject matter just fine, they truly struggle with the time constraints. By always taking your practice tests under these constrictions, you can ensure you’re truly ready on test day for anything.
7. Work with a Tutor
Another way to prepare for the ACT is to work with a tutor! This may be someone in your local area, through your high school, or through an online program. They have the experience to help you reach your goals with structured programs.
ACT tutors, however, can be expensive, and aren’t for everyone. Students interested in working with a tutor should compare their options before deciding. Study groups may also be available through schools.
8. Take Your First ACT Early
The sooner you take your first ACT the better. You can even view it as a practice test! This gives you plenty of time to improve your score and aim for the 36, while also getting some experience under your belt.
9. Keep Retaking the ACT
A 36 is unlikely to happen during your very first ACT test! Instead, you will want to keep taking the official ACT to keep trying for the top score. You generally have until the November or December of your graduating year to take the ACT, so between sophomore year and these months, you have quite a few opportunities to sit for the exam!
While most students will not earn a 36 on the ACT, it is possible, but you can’t go into the exam without prep. Practice tests, working with a tutor, and having the right approach to studying will make all the difference, but could make a top score a reality.
What Does Getting The Highest Possible ACT Score Mean For You?
In practical terms, what does it mean to score a 36 on the ACT test?
Right off the bat, scoring a 36 puts you in the 100 percentile, which is impressive. A 100 percentile indicates that you scored higher than or as high as all others who took the test. It means you’re the best of the best when it comes to the ACT test. That’s something to be incredibly proud of and it’s something that colleges will sit up and take notice of.
With a 36 ACT score, you can apply to the most selective colleges that have high minimum cut-offs. Want to apply to an Ivy League school? With an ACT score of 36, you could have just improved your acceptance odds.
Last but certainly not least, many institutions grant generous merit aid to students with high test scores.
Note: While earning the perfect ACT score of 36 can boost your admission chances, it does not guarantee that you’ll get into a competitive school. Colleges consider multiple factors into their admission decision. The ACT score is one of the factors.
Should You Aim for the Highest Score on the ACT?
Aiming for a 36 is an amazing goal and of course you should aim high. But, it’s just as important that you realize that this is a challenging goal so don’t beat yourself up if you don’t achieve it.
Take a look at the average ACT scores for students admitted into some of the top-tier schools. You’ll see that the average scores range from 31 to 34, with a few having scored a 36. A better way to approach your goal may be to aim for a higher score than you received last time and work from there.
Earning the highest ACT score possible could increase your chances of receiving that coveted acceptance letter. Are you wondering how you compare? Our College Match tool and individual college pages give you all the details you need about the ACT and SAT expectations for different colleges.
