What Is a Good ACT Score?

Defining what makes a good ACT score can feel tricky because there isn’t just one magic number. The best ACT score for you depends on your personal goals, like which colleges you’re interested in and what scholarships you hope to earn. While the highest possible ACT composite score is a 36, a strong ACT score is one that helps you get into your dream school. For many students, this means aiming for scores that are at or above the average ACT score for the schools on their list.

Key Takeaways

• Research your target schools first – Define good ACT scores by checking your colleges’ average ACT score ranges for admitted students.
• Aim for 26+ to unlock scholarships – An ACT composite score of 26 or higher opens significant scholarship opportunities at many colleges.
• Remember holistic review matters – Your ACT scores are just one part of college admissions; grades, essays, and activities count too.
• Use benchmarks as readiness indicators – ACT College Readiness Benchmarks show if your ACT scores suggest you’re ready for college-level courses.

Understanding Your ACT Scores

We get it, seeing all those numbers on your ACT score report can be confusing, so let’s break down your ACT scores together. Your main score is the composite score, which averages your three main test section scores: English, Math, and Reading. This overall ACT score uses a scale of 1 to 36. The optional science section is included as a separate score from 1 to 36.

A good first step is understanding how your ACT scores compare to other test takers. This happens through ACT score percentiles, which show what percentage of test takers you scored higher than. If your ACT scores place you in the 75th percentile, you scored better than 75% of other test takers. The 75th percentile represents a strong achievement compared to the national average. Conversely, scoring in the 25th percentile means 75% of test takers scored higher than you. The higher the percentile, the more competitive your ACT scores are when compared to the national average. These percentile ranks give context to your raw scores and help you understand where you stand among all test takers nationally.

What Score Do You Need for College?

This is the big question, and the answer is different for everyone. Good ACT scores are ones that make you a competitive applicant at the colleges you’re most excited about. Many colleges have different expectations for standardized test scores.

• Highly Selective Schools: For top-tier Ivy League schools, competitive ACT scores often fall in the 33-36 ACT score range. These competitive schools look for very high standardized test scores from admitted students.
• State Universities and Private Colleges: For many public and private universities, overall ACT scores in the 24-29 range are often considered strong and can make you a solid candidate. This represents good ACT scores for most four-year institutions.
• Other Four-Year Colleges: Many valuable programs consider ACT scores in the 20-23 range to be perfectly good ACT scores for admission.

The best thing you can do is look up the “average freshman profile” for your target schools. They often publish the middle 50% ACT score ranges for their admitted students. Aiming for ACT scores in that range is a great goal. Keep in mind that many institutions have become test optional. However, submitting good ACT scores can still strengthen your application, even at test optional schools. While test optional policies give you flexibility, strong ACT scores remain valuable in college admissions. Your standardized test scores are a key part of the college admissions process, but remember that admissions committees use a holistic review process, looking at your whole application alongside other test takers.

Using Your ACT Scores to Earn Scholarships

Your ACT composite score can be a powerful tool for earning money for college. Many merit scholarships have minimum ACT score requirements. A single point increase in your composite score can sometimes unlock thousands of dollars in financial aid.

For example, many scholarships list specific minimum ACT scores:

• Air Force ROTC Scholarships require a minimum composite score of 26
• The University of Illinois Chicago Chancellor’s Fellows program requires a minimum ACT composite score of 33
• The Colorado Christian University Trustees’ Scholarship looks for a minimum ACT score of 28

These examples show that achieving good ACT scores can make you eligible for significant awards. It’s always smart to research scholarships from your target schools and your state, as many offer aid based on specific ACT score ranges. Understanding what is a good ACT score for scholarships helps you set realistic goals for your test preparation.

A Different Way to View Your Score: ACT Benchmarks

Another way to think about your ACT scores is through academic readiness. The ACT organization provides College Readiness Benchmarks. These benchmark scores suggest you have a good chance of succeeding in first-year college courses.

• English: 18
• Mathematics: 22
• Reading: 22

If your ACT scores meet or exceed these benchmarks, it’s a strong signal to colleges (and to you!) that you’re prepared. Meeting these benchmarks puts you ahead of other test takers, but if your section scores aren’t there yet, that’s okay too. It just gives us a clear idea of what skills we can work on together with a good study plan and test prep. Taking multiple practice tests can help improve your ACT scores and move you closer to these important benchmarks.

Good ACT Writing Scores Matter Too

Don’t forget about the optional writing section! While most schools do not require it, a good ACT writing score can strengthen your application. The ACT writing score ranges from 2-12, and good ACT writing scores typically fall in the 8-12 range. If you’re applying to competitive schools or programs that value strong communication skills, consider including this section in your test day plans.

It’s All About Your Goals

Feeling test anxiety about the ACT is completely normal. But here’s what matters: determining what is a good ACT score isn’t about getting a perfect 36. It’s about finding the right ACT scores to help you take the next step toward your dream college. We’re here to help you figure out what that personal benchmark should be and create a plan to reach those goals. Your ACT scores do not define you, but they can open doors when you achieve the levels that match your dreams.

Whether you’re aiming for the 75th percentile, trying to beat the national average ACT score, or working toward specific ACT score ranges for your target schools, remember that every student’s journey with standardized test scores is different. College admissions officers understand this, which is why many schools have become test optional while still valuing strong ACT scores from students who choose to submit them.

Ready to talk about your goals and how we can help you prepare for the ACT? Let’s work together to turn that stress into confidence and help you achieve the ACT scores that will support your college dreams.