Scores
Scores for the ACT Test
How can I see my scores?
When available, your scores are posted online and accessed using your secure ACT web account. Scores are processed and added each week, so keep checking in if you can’t see yours yet. Viewing your scores online does not speed up reporting.
Please note: Customer Care cannot provide your scores by phone, email, chat, or fax.
- Multiple choice scores are normally available within two weeks after each national or international test date, but it can sometimes take up to eight weeks.
- Writing scores are normally available about two weeks after your multiple-choice scores.
Regarding the October test date only: Scores from the October test date are available within 3-8 weeks, due to equating. Equating procedures ensure that scores reported have a constant meaning across test forms.
If you took the writing test, your overall scores are not officially reported until your writing scores have been added.
Score reporting dates
| National or international test dates | Multiple-choice scores first posted online |
|---|---|
| September 9, 2017 | September 19, 2017–November 3, 2017 |
| October 28, 2017 | November 14, 2017–January 2, 2018 |
| December 9, 2017 | December 19, 2017–February 2, 2018 |
| February 10, 2018 | February 21, 2018–April 6, 2018 |
| April 14, 2018 | April 24, 2018–June 8, 2018 |
| June 9, 2018 | June 19, 2018–August 3, 2018 |
| July 14, 2018 | July 24, 2018–August 27, 2018 |
Occasionally we are unable to post scores when expected. If yours are not available yet, it may be due to one of these issues:
- Answer documents from your test center arrived late or your test date was rescheduled. (Please allow an additional one to two weeks for answer documents to arrive from locations other than the United States, US territories, and Canada.)
- The "Matching Information" you provided on the answer document (name, date of birth, and Match Number) is not consistent with the Matching Information on your admission ticket. Scores cannot be reported until they can be accurately matched to the correct person. About 8–10 percent of examinees provide inconsistent information.
- You provided incomplete or inaccurate test form information on the answer document, or the answer document has not cleared all other scoring accuracy checks.
- An irregularity is reported at your test center.
- You owe any registration fees.
Delivery timelines
We initially prepare three different reports for each student who tests—the Student Report, the High School Report, and the College Report. If you took the ACT with writing, an image of the essay you write may be available to the high school and colleges that receive your score report.
| Type of report | Where it's delivered | When it's delivered | What it reports |
| Student report | Your online ACT web account | About 2–8 weeks after the test date | ACT scores, college and career planning information |
| High school report | Your high school | About 2–8 weeks after the test date | ACT scores, college and career planning information |
| College report | Each valid college or scholarship agency code you listed and paid for when you registered or tested (up to six) | Varies based on college and when ordered | Everything on the Student and High School Report, plus the grades you reported in up to 30 high school courses; it may also include predictions about your performance in specific college programs and courses |
Scores from other test administrations
If you test through one of the administrations listed below, your scores will be posted after you receive your official score report in the mail. If you do not have an ACT web account, you will need to create one using the ACT ID printed on your score report when creating your account.
- State and District—testing March 2008 and later
- DANTES, Special, Arranged, Project—testing September 2008 and later
Request a copy of the questions and answers
Certain national test dates and centers give you the opportunity to order a copy of your questions, your answers, the answer key, and scoring instructions—plus the writing prompt, scoring formula, and scores assigned to the optional writing test.
Need to send more scores?
In addition to the four institutions you selected upon registering, you can send your scores to others, even after you test. Requests are processed after all scores for your test option—the ACT or the ACT with writing—are ready.
Can scores be cancelled?
ACT reserves the right to cancel test scores when there is reason to believe the scores are invalid. See the Compromises/Disruptions in the Testing Process—Limitation of Remedies section of the ACT Terms and Conditions (PDF) for details.
Understanding Your Scores
There's a lot of information provided in the ACT score report. Watch the video to learn how to put the ACT score report to work for you and help you on your path to success.
Or follow the link below to learn why we show individual reporting categories, how we arrived at your Composite score—and more!
National ranks
How do you compare?
Your national ranks tell you how your scores compare to those earned by recent high school graduates who took the ACT. Colleges use this information to help make admissions decisions, and scholarship agencies may base awards on it.
How schools use results
Your current and future schools want to learn more about you.
Just as you can use national ranks to get a sense of your strengths and weaknesses, so can your high school and potential colleges. A high rank in a content area may suggest a good chance of success in related college majors and careers. A low rank may indicate that you need to develop your skills more by taking additional coursework in that area. This information is helpful for you, and for your current and future schools.
Should I retest?
43% of ACT test takers chose to take the test more than once last year, and more than half of them improved their scores.
Why every point matters on the ACT test
Did you know improving by just a single test point can be worth thousands of dollars in financial aid for your college education? The ACT® test is important to your future—and can open up new opportunities for college and career.
What scores are reported if I test more than once?
You determine which set of scores is sent to colleges or scholarship programs. We will release only the scores from the test date (month and year) and test location (e.g., National, State, School) you designate.
Can I combine scores from different test dates to create a new Composite score?
No. You cannot combine scores from different test dates for a new Composite score.
Can I report only my writing scores or only my multiple-choice scores from a test date?
No. All scores from a test date will be reported together.
Can I combine my writing scores from one test date with my multiple-choice scores from another?
No. Scores cannot be combined across test dates. You must designate an entire test date record as it stands.
Problems with Scores
Correcting errors in your score report
Student errors
If, after you receive your score report, you find that you made a significant error in the information you supplied to us about yourself, or if you want to change your address, you may ask us to correct your record. Write to:
- ACT Customer Care
- P.O. Box 414
- Iowa City, IA 52243-0414 USA
Write within three months of receiving your score report. Enclose a photocopy or printed pdf of your Student Report describing the error and the change you are requesting.
There is no fee for making the correction, but you must pay the applicable fee for each corrected report you wish sent to a college, agency, or high school.
Other errors
If you think there is an error (on any information other than your test scores), write to ACT Customer Care—Score Reports at the above address within three months of receiving your score report. Enclose a photocopy or printed pdf of your Student Report describing the error and the change you are requesting.
If an error is our responsibility and requires you to retest, there will be no fee. If the error does not involve retesting, corrected score reports will be released to you and all previous score recipients at no charge.
If an error is not to be found to be made by ACT and you wish to send corrected reports, you must request and pay for Additional Score Reports.
Test Security Hotline
Cheating hurts everyone – if you see it, report it. You can make an anonymous report by using the Test Security Hotline. Discussing test content—including on social media—is not permitted. Students who don't do their own work put honest students at a disadvantage. If you suspect that someone is trying to take unfair advantages or encounter anything else out of the ordinary, please report it to ACT.
Score verification service
You can ask ACT to verify your multiple-choice and/or your writing test scores up to 12 months after your test date. Please download the Request for Score Verification (PDF). You will need to print the completed form and mail to:
- ACT Customer Care
- PO Box 414
- Iowa City, IA 52243-0414, USA
Include your name as given at the time of testing, address, and date of birth, as well as your ACT ID, test date (month and year), and test location from your score report. Enclose a check payable to ACT Customer Care for the applicable fee:
- $50.00 multiple-choice tests
- $40.00 writing test essay
- $90.00 both the multiple-choice tests and writing test essay
For multiple-choice tests, ACT will verify that your responses were checked against the correct score key.
For writing tests, ACT will verify that your essay was scored by at least two independent, qualified readers and by a third reader in the event that the two scores differed by more than one point in any domain. ACT will also verify that your essay was properly captured and displayed to readers. If errors are discovered during score verification, ACT will rescore your essay.
ACT will inform you by letter of the results of the score verification about three to five weeks after receiving your request.
If a scoring error is discovered, your scores will be changed and corrected reports will be released to you and all previous score report recipients at no charge. In addition, your score verification fee will be refunded.
You may also request to be present for verification of your multiple-choice responses—without access to the test questions—at an ACT-designated location. Additional fees will apply.
Compromises and disruptions
See the Compromises/Disruptions in the Testing Process—Limitation of Remedies section of ACT's Terms and Conditions for remedies available to examinees affected by compromises or disruptions in the testing process.
ACT and STEM Premier
Helping students succeed in science, technology, engineering, math, and beyond
ACT and STEM Premier® began partnering in 2014 to enhance opportunities for all students, especially those who are underserved in the area of STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math). Through STEM Premier, students can qualify for scholarships funded through this partnership and build a profile to draw interest and recognition from colleges and business across the country.
Visit www.stempremier.com.