🔬 ACT STEM scoring
ACT STEM Score Calculator
Blend ACT math and science performance into one STEM score, test balance gaps, and compare target bands with pace-aware presets.
| STEM band | Math raw | Science raw | Read |
|---|---|---|---|
| 34-36 | 55+ | 37+ | Top band |
| 29-33 | 47-54 | 31-36 | Strong |
| 24-28 | 39-46 | 25-30 | Solid |
| 1-23 | 0-38 | 0-24 | Build |
| Pace band | Math sec/q | Science sec/q | Read |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fast | 48-56 | 40-48 | Clean sprint |
| Steady | 57-63 | 49-55 | Balanced read |
| Careful | 64-72 | 56-62 | Safer but slower |
| Rush | 73+ | 63+ | Guess heavy |
| Target score | Math floor | Science floor | Blend note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 36 | 60 | 40 | Elite push |
| 33 | 58 | 38 | Near top |
| 30 | 55 | 35 | Strong chase |
| 27 | 50 | 31 | Competitive |
| 24 | 44 | 26 | Solid base |
| 21 | 38 | 21 | Build first |
| Gap type | Math minus sci | Blend read | Focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Even | -1 to +1 | Stable mix | Keep pace |
| Math lean | +2 to +4 | Math carries | Science lift |
| Science lean | -2 to -4 | Science carries | Math lift |
| Wide | 5+ | Needs balance | Reset both |
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The ACT STEM score shows how well students did in math and science together. It is the average of the scores from math and science on the ACT. Both the STEM score and the separate subject scores range between 1 and 36.
For instance, if a student has 18 in math and 19 in science, the average will be 18.5 but it rounds to 19 because only whole numbers count
What the ACT STEM Score Means
The ACT STEM College Readiness Benchmark score is 26. A score of 26 means at least 50 percent chance to get a B or better in STEM courses. This sounds easy, but actually 88 percent of high school graduates who took the ACT had a STEM score of 26 or less.
So the benchmark is hard for the most of studnets.
In the ACT students receive points for seven subjects, together with points for the English Language Arts score, STEM and the ACT Composite score. The reports tie math and science to form the STEM score from their average. English, reading and writing combine to ELA score.
If you do not choose the Writing Test, there is no ELA score.
The current averages for all testtakers are like this: English 20.3, math 20.8, reading 21.3, science 20.8, writing 7.1, STEM 21.0, ELA 21.3 and Composite 20.9. The average STEM score of 21 is a lot under the benchmark of 26.
Many big schools want STEM scores between 23 and 32. You do not always have to beat that range. Even very selective schools see 33 the same as 36.
For students in a STEM major the STEM score matters more. When the math score is low compared with the English side, that can be a problem when applying to competitive programs as nursing. Then it makes sense to repeat the test and improve the math score before sending the application.
Superscoring averages the four best points from all ACT attempts. Also some changes are coming. The new version of ACT calculates the composite score from the average of three parts: English, math and reading.
The ACT website does not always show the STEM score, but you can find it by averaging the math and science in the report.
