Short answer: the highest ACT score possible is a 36 Composite. Each section of the ACT is also scored from 1 to 36, so 36 is the top score for English, math, reading and the optional science section.
What is the top ACT score possible?
ACT reports four section scores on a 1 to 36 scale: English, math, reading and science. Science is optional. Your Composite is also on the 1 to 36 scale, so a 36 Composite is the top ACT score. The optional writing test is the one exception. It uses a 2 to 12 scale and does not count toward your Composite.
Do you need a perfect section score to get a 36?
No. ACT averages your English, math and reading scores and rounds to the nearest whole number. A fraction of one-half or more rounds up. So you can miss a perfect score in one section and still earn a 36 Composite.
| English | Math | Reading | Average | Composite |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36 | 36 | 35 | 35.67 | 36 |
| 36 | 35 | 35 | 35.33 | 35 |
These rows are worked examples that use ACT's rounding rule. They are not ACT data. In the first row, 35.67 rounds up to 36. In the second, 35.33 rounds down to 35.
How a 36 compares with the average ACT score
ACT reports that graduating high school students averaged a 19.4 Composite in 2024. ACT also says some universities expect scores in the 30s, while others treat the mid-20s as competitive. A 36 sits at the very top of the scale. For most students, a better goal is the score range at the colleges on their list. You can compare ranges in What Is a Good ACT Score?
Can a superscore reach 36?
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Yes. Your ACT superscore averages your highest English, math and reading scores across all your test dates. ACT says many colleges accept superscores. If your best sections come from different test dates, the superscore can be higher than any single Composite you earned.
How to move toward a top ACT score
- Learn how the Composite works in How Is the ACT Scored?
- Answer every question. ACT does not take points off for wrong answers.
- Use the ACT to SAT conversion chart if you are also weighing the SAT.
Aiming for the 30s?
Take a free practice test and see which section is furthest from 36.
Related ACT guides
- ACT Exam Strategy: Resource Hub
- ACT vs SAT: Key Differences and Which Test to Take
- Highest SAT Score Possible
Sources
- ACT, Understanding Your ACT Scores (accessed October 31, 2026).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the highest ACT score possible?
The highest ACT score possible is a 36 Composite. English, math, reading and the optional science section are each scored from 1 to 36 as well. ACT averages your English, math and reading scores to get the Composite. The optional writing test uses its own 2 to 12 scale and does not count toward the Composite.
Can you get a 36 on the ACT without a perfect score in every section?
Yes. ACT rounds your Composite to the nearest whole number, and a fraction of one-half or more rounds up. For example, section scores of 36, 36 and 35 average 35.67, which rounds up to a 36 Composite. Scores of 36, 35 and 35 average 35.33, which rounds down to 35.
Is a 36 the highest ACT score for each section?
Yes. ACT scores English, math, reading and the optional science section on the same 1 to 36 scale, so 36 is the top score in each one. Writing is the exception. It is scored from 2 to 12, and it does not change your Composite score, so a top writing score is a 12.
How does a 36 compare with the average ACT score?
A 36 is the top of the scale. ACT reports that graduating high school students averaged a 19.4 Composite in 2024. ACT also says some universities expect scores in the 30s, while others treat the mid-20s as competitive. Check the score ranges at your own target colleges to set a realistic goal.
Can an ACT superscore be a 36?
Yes. Your superscore averages your highest English, math and reading scores across all of your ACT test dates, then rounds the same way as a regular Composite. If your best sections come from different dates, your superscore can beat any single Composite you earned. ACT says many colleges accept superscores.