What's an acceptable ACT score for most colleges?

I'm a little bit anxious about my upcoming ACT exam. I'd love to know – what's the ACT score that most colleges are generally looking for? I know it depends on the college, but there must be an average or common score, right?

You're absolutely right – the desired ACT score can widely vary from one college to another. However, if we're speaking in broad terms, a score of 20 is around the national average. That said, "average" means there are many students above and below this score. For less selective colleges, a score in this range, or slightly higher, is often acceptable.

However, for more competitive schools, you might aim for a score in the higher range, typically 30 or above. For example, there are many prestigious institutions like University of Chicago, Stanford University, or Princeton University, where the middle 50% of accepted students usually score between 32 and 35.

Keep in mind, these are just approximate values and many factors beyond your ACT score, such as your GPA, coursework, essays, and extracurricular activities, also play a significant role in the admission decision.

As you prioritize your test prep, identify target "safety," "match," and "reach" schools. Research their middle 50% ACT scores to get a sense of the score range you should be aiming for. The higher you score within or above this middle 50% range, the better your chances of admission, all else being equal. But remember, just because you fall below this range, it doesn't mean you won't get in – it just means you'll need to make sure the other parts of your application are strong.