<p>So I just got my ACT scores. I was quite pleased, but I am confused. I got a 35 in English, but both of the sub scores (Usage/mechanics, rhetorical skills) are 18. Can someone explain the perfect sub scores but nonperfect English score to me?</p>
<p>Subscores range from 1 (low) to 18 (high). There is no direct, arithmetic relationship between your subscores and your test scores—this means your subscores don’t add up to your test score.</p>
<p>Source: [Understand</a> Your Scores | ACT Student](<a href=“ACT Test Scores | ACT Scoring | ACT”>ACT Test Scores | ACT Scoring | ACT)</p>
<p>I never said they add up. I am just confused as to why I got perfect in both of the subscores but only a 35 in the actual English score.</p>
<p>Because the curve for the overall section was harsher. Getting one question wrong may still allow you to get a perfect score for the subsection.</p>