Before starting your prep for the ACT or any test really, you should set a target score.  Your target score is typically what you hope to achieve in order to qualify for scholarships or admissions to the colleges on your list.  Here is a granular look at how ACT scoring is built:

First, let’s define a few things: 

1. Raw Score: Total number of correct questions in each subject.
2. Subject/Scaled Score: There are 4 subjects scaled scores between 1-36.
3. Grouped Score: STEM (Maths + Science) and ELA (English + Reading + Essay*).
4. Composite Score: Average of all subjects (English + Math + Reading + Science) scaled score.
5. Benchmark: The minimum college readiness assessment bearing college courses.

Next, let’s look at how scores are calculated: 

For Example if you take ACT sample test

• English = 67/75
  • Raw Score = 67
  • Subject/ Scaled Score=31
• Math = 54/60
  • Raw Score = 54
  • Subject/ Scaled Score=32
• Reading = 33/40
  • Raw Score = 33
  • Subject/ Scaled Score=30
• Science = 37/40
  • Raw Score = 37
  • Subject/ Scaled Score=33
• Composite Score = (31+32+30+33)/4 = 31.5

Lastly, let’s see how the national population scores on average:

• Benchmark (source: www.act.org.in):
  • English = 18
  • Math = 22
  • Reading = 22
  • Science = 23
  • STEM = 26
  • ELA = 20

That’s it!  Now you know the why behind ACT scoring.