The maximum score possible on the ACT is 36. The average ACT score is 21.
A good ACT score depends on the universities and colleges that you’re thinking of. If you score 23 or higher in the ACT is higher than the average for the nation and will make you an excellent candidate for several universities, but it might be lower than the average score of admitted students at exclusive colleges. The more impressive your ACT score will mean that more possibilities are available to you. Learn the details about ACT scores.
Average ACT Scores
The ACT is assessed on a scale of 1 to 36 and the average ACT score for the 2022 class was 21. There are four sections of the ACT: English, Math, Reading, and Science. The sections are scored on a scale of 36 points. Your total ACT score is a sum of your four section scores.
Here are the average scores of each section of the class of high school in 2022.
| SECTION | AVG AC SCORE |
|---|---|
| English | 20.3 |
| Math | 20.7 |
| Reading | 21.4 |
| Science | 21.0 |
| COMPOSITE | 21.0 |
If you’re within the averages, you’ll likely be accepted into a significant amount of universities and colleges However, you might not be considered for more specific schools.
Above Average ACT Scores
Over-average ACT scores will increase the chances of getting into a school that is more selective. Look over this list of the an average ACT results for a couple of colleges that are selective.
Below Average Scores in ACT
Scores less than a 15 in the ACT are considered low by nearly every four-year institution. However, you can get over poor scores by having a high GPA or an impressive college application. If you’re accepted to the college, they might require you to take some remedial classes prior to enrolling.
Good ACT Scores for your Goals
A great result for the ACT is one that places you in the average range of scores at the colleges you’d like to attend. Look up the ACT scores for the schools you have on your list, and then see how your scores stack up. Utilize the colleges search to discover the profiles online of the schools you wish to study. Find the profile of your dream school and then go to “Admissions” under the “Admissions” section.
Higher scores on ACT Scores Provide More Choices
If you didn’t score an impressive 36, there is always room to increase your score. The ACT score may aid you in obtaining merit scholarships to college. If your dream college has a test requirement You might want to think about taking the test to determine if you qualify for scholarships. Are you unsure of what your ideal ACT score is? The college counsellorscan help with your testing strategies and match your scores with schools.
Which Way Do You Stand?
Are you looking to discuss your ACT scores in greater detail and find out what’s after? We can help. The ACT experts will review your score report, and assist you in determining what the next step is.
What is the best Test Score based on Your Colleges?
Universities and colleges have different expectations for scores and this makes the concept of a great ACT score a relative. The final decision on whether an ACT score is considered to be good is contingent on what schools are seeking as well as how competitive the application pool is. A high score on behalf of you is one that is comparable to the score of the typical first-year student in the schools you’re applying for.
Some colleges offer between 50 and 60 percent their incoming students that is a wide range that covers between the 25th to the 75th percentile of ACT scores. The ideal scenario is to get an ACT score that is equal to or better than the institution’s score of 75th percentile. If you find it difficult to achieve, you could try to get a score near the lower end of the range.
To determine a middle 50% school look at a first-year student profile page or an information and figures page on the website. You can also look up the school’s name using the words “ACT Score Range.”
As an example, let’s say you’re interested in applying at Emory University. Emory provides students enrolled on its ACT results on the initial-year profiles page. According to the data the middle 50 percent is between 33 and 35. That means that you’ll have an excellent chance of being accepted into Emory when you score at least a score of 35 on the ACT (assuming your other parts of your application are similarly impressive).
Schools differ in the types of ACT scores they are looking for from applicants. The less selective schools prefer scores close to the average for the nation (21), whereas more competitive schools typically prefer scores that fall in those between the range of 32 to 36.
