ACT Essay Changes Scoring from 36 to 12 for a Perfect Score

New 2016-2017 ACT Essay Scoring Example

As reported by the ACT recently (June 27, 2016), they will be changing their optional ACT essay scoring from a 36 point scale to a 12 point one matching the SAT.  While not identical in how the essay is scored, it will use the same numbers for scoring the writing component of the exam.

For example, if you scored a 21 on the Essay prior to this fall, it would equate to a 7 on the new scale. Basically, you can divide the old scale (up to 36) by 3 and it will equate to the new scoring scale.  Specific details are available here in a WhitePaper_5_Ways_to_Compare_Writing_Scores published on the official ACT website on the same day.

New Scoring Percentiles for the ACT Essay/Writing Component

Top 1%:

ACT Essay Score of 11 or 12

Top 2-3%:

ACT Essay Score of 10

Top 7-8%: 

ACT Essay Score of 9

Top 16-17%:

ACT Essay Score of 8

Top 41%:

ACT Essay Score of 7

Examples and details of the new reports are here as well for your viewing: