Overview of ACT Scoring Topics

The ACT hands back a surprising range of scores, and there is more to scoring than the numbers themselves—policies on confidentiality, retaking, and cancellation all matter too. These procedures can look complicated, but the essentials don't take long to grasp. The pages below introduce the topics that matter most:

• ACT Scoring System
  Read this page to gain a broader overall understanding of ACT scoring. We break down the ACT scoring system into its constituent parts, including total scores, section scores, reporting category scores, percentile rankings, benchmarks, and more. Test-takers can also learn about scoring data at the national level, state level, and within certain groups of students.
• ACT Score Confidentiality
  This page features an overview of ACT policies and student rights with respect to the confidentiality of their test scores. We discuss the relevant state and federal laws, ACT confidentiality practices for vendors and other agents, and how confidentiality impacts the procedures for the sending of ACT scores. Test-takers are entitled to privacy of test scores, within certain reasonable limits.
• Retaking the ACT
  If you're thinking about retaking the ACT, you'll want to read this page. Find out how common ACT retakes are, learn how frequently students receive higher scores, and decide whether or not it's a good idea for you to take the test again. We also review official ACT policies that are relevant to the issue of retaking the ACT and cover a case study in the effects of ACT retakes on second-attempt scores.
• Limits on ACT Retakes
  See this page for a look at how often you can actually sit for the ACT. We explain that there is no cap on the number of attempts and no mandatory waiting period between test dates, how ACT treats your records when you test more than once, the fact that ACT scores never expire, and the costs of testing again.
• Cancelling ACT Scores
  On this page, students can learn about ACT's policies on score deletion and score report cancellation. There are a number of other relevant topics covered, such as the distinction between voluntary and involuntary score cancellation, policies for cancellation of test registration or test administrations, procedures for the investigation of testing issues, and the penalties for violating testing policies.