How bad is a score of 18 on the ACT?

I just got my ACT results back and I scored an 18. I'm a little bit stressed since I don't know if it's considered a bad score or not. What are your thoughts? Any advice would be appreciated!

An ACT score of 18 is in the lower end of the range, as it corresponds to the 38th percentile. This means that you scored higher than 38% of test-takers, but lower than the remaining 62%. A common benchmark used by many colleges and universities is a score of 20, which is approximately the national average. But, it's important to remember that the context of your score depends on the colleges you're interested in and the other parts of your application.

While an 18 may not be a competitive score for more selective colleges, there are still many colleges and universities that would consider you for admission if you have strong academics, extracurricular involvement, and a compelling personal story. To find colleges that might be a good fit, you can use tools like CollegeVine's chancing calculator or visit college websites to find the average ACT scores of admitted students.

If you're not satisfied with your score and you have time before college applications are due, you might consider retaking the ACT and working on test prep strategies to help you improve. In many cases, students see score increases after they've taken the exam more than once, as they become more familiar with the testing format and learn which areas they need to focus on.

When retaking the exam, you can focus on the subjects you found the most challenging, and try some test-taking strategies such as practice tests, time management techniques, and improving your content knowledge in those areas. You could also consider working with a tutor, joining a test prep class, or utilizing online resources for additional support.

Regardless of your ACT score, it's crucial to remember that colleges evaluate your entire application, including your GPA, course rigor, extracurricular activities, and essays. While test scores are one factor, they must be viewed in the context of your whole application to determine your chances of admission at a specific college.