The American College Testing (ACT) is among the most prestigious exams globally. With over 2.5 million students appearing for the test every year, it is a highly competitive exam that requires great preparation. In addition to a stellar personal statement, a high GPA, and a strong letter of recommendation, an impressive standardised test score can help you get into a good college.
So, what's a good ACT score? What score will you need to get into your dream college? Stay with us till the end as we help you understand what a good ACT score should look like depending on your set of college criteria!
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How Important are ACT Scores for College Admissions?
Your ACT scores tell the college admission officers if your CGPA and transcripts are accurate measurements of your academic ability. For instance, a high GPA presented with a low ACT score will suggest that your GPA was inflated and you might stand a chance of rejection from your dream college. Here it is also important to note that a high ACT score can compensate for a low GPA in some cases.
- The ACT is so important to universities because admissions officers use it to judge your academic preparedness for college.
- Your ACT score is also essential to universities because your ACT score will be incorporated into their annual ACT statistics if you're admitted. The general public uses this data to make judgments about the selectivity of the school; the higher the good ACT score range, the more competitive or “better” the public may think the college is.
Suggested: Colleges Accepting Low ACT Scores!
ACT Score Categorisation: Good, Average & Poor
- Poor ACT Score Range: 1-16
- ACT Average Score ACT Range: 17-24
- Good ACT Score Range: 25-36
What is a Good ACT score?
Your composite score ranges from 1-36 and is translated into a percentile showing how you performed concerning the ACT test-taking population. A higher percentile indicates that you outperformed that group of pupils. In other words, if you scored in the top 55% of students, your score is considered in the top 55% percentile.
The typical ACT rating is 19. If you received a score of 20, you outperformed 50% of exam participants. Depending on your point of view, that is reasonable. With a score of 24, you fall into the 76th percentile.
An ACT score of 25-36 is above national average & is generally considered good.
Percentiles allow students to see how their ACT results stack up against other test-takers. The following table displays a typical range of excellent ACT results based on percentiles. Keep in mind that percentiles might vary a little bit annually.
|
Percentile |
Composite |
English |
Math |
Reading |
Science |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
100 |
36 |
36 |
36 |
36 |
36 |
|
99 |
34-35 |
35 |
34-35 |
35-36 |
35 |
|
95 |
31 |
33-34 |
30-31 |
33-34 |
31 |
|
90 |
29 |
30-31 |
28 |
31-32 |
28 |
|
85 |
27 |
27-28 |
26 |
29-30 |
26 |
|
80 |
25-26 |
25 |
25 |
27 |
25 |
|
75 |
24 |
24 |
24 |
25 |
24 |
|
50 |
19-20 |
19 |
18 |
20 |
20 |
Suggested: Know about the ACT Writing Syllabus
Good ACT Scores for Popular Colleges
Schools vary considerably in the kinds of ACT scores they look for in applicants. Less selective institutions tend to accept scores closer to the National average of 21, whereas more competitive universities often prefer scores in the 32-36 range.
Listed below are the averagely good ACT scores required for some top colleges:
|
School |
25th Percentile Score |
75th Percentile Score |
|---|---|---|
|
33 |
35 |
|
|
32 |
34 |
|
|
31 |
34 |
|
|
Colorado College |
29 |
33 |
|
34 |
35 |
|
|
27 |
32 |
|
|
25 |
31 |
|
|
29 |
33 |
|
|
34 |
35 |
|
|
31 |
34 |
|
|
28 |
33 |
|
|
31 |
34 |
|
|
31 |
34 |
|
|
28 |
33 |
|
|
35 |
36 |
|
|
28 |
33 |
|
|
32 |
35 |
|
|
32 |
34 |
|
|
33 |
35 |
|
|
33 |
35 |
Suggested: What is the ACT Super Score?
How to Improve Your ACT Score?
Having known the importance of ACT scores, and what is a good ACT test score, it is time that you work to improve them so that you can fly off to your dream college!
Here are some of the steps that you must follow in order to improve your ACT scores effectively:
- Get your baseline score
- Set realistic expectation and goals
- Make a study plan
- Acquaint yourself with the ACT format
- Take practice tests and study practice problems
- Do not stress out on the test day
Suggested: All about the ACT Preparation!
Although less objective, the best way to truly define whether or not you have a good ACT score is knowing whether or not it aligns with your dream school's standards. Before you fill out your college application, it's important to find out if the average ACT score of that selective college is the same or lower than your personal ACT score.
