Is there a passing score for the ACT test?

I've heard people talk about getting a 'passing score' on the ACT, but is there an actual cutoff score that's considered passing? How do colleges decide what scores they're looking for in applicants? Any insights would be appreciated!

There isn't a defined "passing" score for the ACT, as it's a standardized test used for college admissions and it doesn't have a fixed pass/fail requirement. The term "passing" might be used colloquially to imply scoring well enough to be considered a competitive applicant for the preferred college.

The range of scores on the ACT is from 1 to 36, with 36 being the highest possible score. A good score depends on the colleges you're interested in applying to. Colleges have varying expectations for ACT scores, and they generally publish the average and/or middle 50% score range of their admitted students. These published scores can give you a good idea of what a target score is for the institutions that interest you. You can also find this data on third party platforms like CollegeVine.

In general, the higher your ACT score, the more competitive your application becomes. For top-tier universities, typically students aim for scores in the 30s. However, don't forget that test scores are just one component of the college application. Many schools use a holistic review process, which means that they consider various aspects of your application, such as your academic performance, extracurricular activities, personal essays, and letters of recommendation.

It's essential to research the schools you're interested in to understand their specific requirements and expectations, and accordingly plan your test prep to aim for a score that is competitive within their applicant pools.

Keep in mind that some schools are test-optional, which allows you to decide whether to submit your ACT or SAT scores based on how well you think they represent your abilities. However, there are many cases where submitting a strong ACT score would still be advantageous. For detailed guidance on how to navigate test-optional policies, check out this blog post from CollegeVine: https://blog.collegevine.com/does-test-optional-mean-test-optional

I hope you find this information helpful!