What is an ACT superscore?

A superscore is a new composite built from your best score in each section across all the dates you tested, rather than the best single sitting. The four highest section scores are averaged and rounded to give a composite from 1 to 36.

How is the composite calculated?

Add your four highest section scores (English, Math, Reading, Science) and divide by four, then round to the nearest whole number. A half rounds up, so a 29.5 average becomes a composite of 30.

Do all colleges accept superscores?

Many do, and ACT now reports an official superscore automatically, but policies vary. Some schools use only your single best sitting or your most recent score, so always check each college's stated ACT policy before relying on a superscore.

Does superscoring ever lower my score?

No. By definition the superscore takes the highest section from any date, so it is always equal to or higher than your best single composite. It can only help or stay the same.

Can I superscore across the writing test?

The optional Writing score is reported separately and is not part of the 1 to 36 composite, so it is not superscored into the composite here. Colleges that require Writing typically consider it on its own.

ACT Superscore Calculator

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If you have taken the ACT more than once, a superscore combines your best section results across all dates into a single, higher composite. This calculator does that math for up to four test dates, picking your strongest English, Math, Reading, and Science scores and averaging them.

How it works

For each of the four sections, the tool scans every test date you entered and keeps the highest score. It then averages those four bests and rounds to the nearest whole number:

superscore = round( (bestEnglish + bestMath + bestReading + bestScience) / 4 )

Rounding uses standard half-up rounding, so an average of 28.5 becomes a composite of 29. Each section is treated independently, which is why a superscore can never be lower than your best single sitting.

Example and tips

Suppose date one is 30 English, 26 Math, 28 Reading, 24 Science (composite 27), and date two is 27, 31, 25, 29 (composite 28). The superscore takes 30, 31, 28, and 29, averaging to 29.5, which rounds to 30 — better than either single date. Confirm each college accepts superscores, and consider retaking only the sections where you have the most room to improve.