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How ACT Writing is scored
- Paper tests: two trained readers each score your essay from 1 to 6 in each of the four writing domains (ACT).
- Online tests: essays are scored by an automated engine trained on human-scored essays, with human review for low-confidence scores and quality-assurance sampling.
- Four domains, each 2 to 12: Ideas and Analysis, Development and Support, Organization, and Language Use and Conventions.
- Your Writing score is the rounded average of the four domain scores.
What's a good ACT Writing score?
ACT puts the average between 6 and 7 (ACT), so an 8 or higher is above average. ACT's Writing page doesn't publish a percentile table, so we don't list percentiles for Writing here. For your own target, check whether the colleges on your list require or recommend Writing, and what they say about scores.
Writing, ELA and your Composite
ACT says taking Writing doesn't affect your section scores or your Composite (ACT). What it does add is an English Language Arts (ELA) score, reported when you have Writing, English and Reading scores.
ELA is the average of English, Reading and Writing, but ACT first converts Writing to a 1 to 36 scale. ACT's research brief describes that conversion, but ACT doesn't publish the conversion table (ACT Research R2400). That's why our score calculator shows your Writing score but doesn't estimate ELA.
Should you take ACT Writing?
Writing is an optional 40-minute add-on that costs $25 on top of the $70 base test (ACT test format; ACT fees). Take it if a college on your list requires or recommends it. Otherwise, skipping it saves time and money without affecting your Composite. See how long the ACT takes with and without Writing.
What other guides say
We didn't find a current, sourced list of which colleges require ACT Writing. Rather than repeat unverified lists, this page points you to each college's own admissions site. The facts above come directly from ACT.
Frequently asked questions
What is a good ACT Writing score?
ACT says the average Writing score is between 6 and 7, so an 8 or higher is above average. Check the colleges on your list for their own expectations.
Does the ACT Writing score affect my Composite?
No. ACT says taking the Writing test does not affect your subject area scores or your Composite score.
How is the ACT essay scored online?
Online essays are scored by an automated engine trained on human-scored essays, with human review for low-confidence scores and quality-assurance sampling.
What is the ACT ELA score?
ELA is reported when you have English, Reading and Writing scores. It averages the three after Writing is converted to a 1 to 36 scale, a conversion ACT doesn't publish.
How long is the ACT Writing test?
Writing is an optional 40-minute section taken after a 5-minute break.
Related guides
Sources and how this page is built
How this page is built
Research current as of:
Cedrick Reese wrote this guide for TutoringForAct.com from ACT's Writing score page, ACT's research brief on ELA scores, its test format page and its fee schedule. No Writing percentiles are shown because ACT's Writing page doesn't publish them, and this page won't estimate them. It's rechecked whenever ACT changes Writing scoring or fees.
Sources
- Understanding ACT Writing Test Scores (ACT)
- Understanding ACT ELA Scores, ACT Research R2400
- The ACT test format (ACT)
- ACT Fees (ACT)
ACT® is a registered trademark of ACT Education Corp., which is not affiliated with and does not endorse this site. ACT policies, fees and score tables change; check ACT.org before you register or apply.