Starting with the next ACT test in September, ACT essay scores will be reported as an average of the 4 essay sub scores, resulting in a score of 2-12.
Effective immediately all ACT essay scores will be reported the same way when scoring ACT tests using the newACT (aka ACT 2015) method.
For more information about the new ACT essay scores, please check the ACT news:
http://www.act.org/content/act/en/newsroom/act-will-move-to-2-to-12-score-range-for-act-writing-test-result.html