Why isn’t the maximum ACT score (36) at the 100th percentile?

The maximum ACT score is not at the 100th percentile. because the student cannot score more than himself as well as others whom scored the same.

Although your question lacks some data a general answer have been provided above

       For the maximum score ( 36) to be at the 100th percentile the individual who scores the maximum ACT score, must have scored higher than others and also him/herself in the data set.

Even if a student scores the highest score (36) it does not mean they have scored higher than others who had the same score ( 36 ) with them or him/her self.

Hence we can conclude that the maximum ACT score ( 36 ) cannot be at the 100th percentile because the student cannot score more than himself as well as others whom scored the same.

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Answer and Explanations

ACT score percentile help colleges compare students with one another, rather than just looking at everyone’s score. The  score range is between 1 and 36, the highest score that one can receive on the ACT is 36. Moreover, 36 is the perfect score.

The maximum ACT score (36) is that in 2018, only 3,741 students (out of millions of test-takers) scored a perfect 36 on the ACT.  The 99th percentile of test-takers includes those who earn 35 or 34 on the ACT. We can miss up to five questions on the ACT and still earn a 36. That is a reason why the maximum ACT score is 36 at the 100th percentile.

The ACT score report will provide more information about test-taking experience in the form of sub score. The higher the score,  you will get into the colleges of your choice.

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