The ACT assesses students in grade 11. The ACT assesses students' academic readiness for college. The ACT tests five subject areas – English, Mathematics, Reading, Science, and Writing. The Composite score is the whole number average of the subject area scores not including Writing. Beginning in 2015-16, an English Language Arts (ELA) score based on the English, Reading and Writing scores and a STEM score based on Mathematics and Science was reported. The highest possible score on the exam is 36. The scores of each subject area are categorized as College Ready or Below College Ready based on benchmark values provided by the ACT. Benchmarks are provided for the Math, Science, STEM, English, Reading, and ELA scores. No ACT benchmarks are provided for the Composite and Writing scores. Wisconsin-specific cut scores were developed based on ACT benchmarks.
Student Score Reports are available to students approximately 5-8 weeks after testing. Score reports will be mailed directly to students and available electronically though the student’s MyACT account.
High school and district level report data can be found on the Success ACT website. Resources for analyzing reports can be found on the Wisconsin ACT website.
State testing data will be released publicly in WISEdash in the Fall. For more information about WISEdash Public or WISEdash for Districts please refer to the ACT FAQ.
The ACT has been used as the 11 th grade summative assessment for Wisconsin 11 th grade students since 2015. In addition to receiving a college-reportable score (used for college admission, scholarships, course placement, NCAA eligibility), the statewide administration of the ACT also provides information about what students know and can do in relation to the Wisconsin State Standards. Each ACT score will fall in one of the four Performance Levels below which define the student’s understanding and ability to apply grade-level knowledge and skills.
Wisconsin ACT Performance Level Cut Scores and Scale Score Ranges
The Wisconsin ACT Performance Level Cut Scores were established in 2024 through an ACT standard setting process. For more information on the ACT standard setting process, please see the 2024 Wisconsin ACT Standard Setting Handout.
Establishing Wisconsin specific cut scores is necessary to fulfill important accountability reporting requirements. These cut scores, scale scores, and performance levels are Wisconsin specific and do not apply to other states or national ACT testing.
