What is a good ACT score?

I'm planning on taking the ACT soon and I'm curious about what a good score would be. What should I aim for to be competitive in the college application process?

A "good" ACT score can vary depending on the colleges you're interested in and your personal goals. Generally speaking, a score of 21 is considered the national average, but aiming higher will make you more competitive in the college application process.

If you're targeting more selective colleges, you'll want to aim for scores in the upper range. Here's a general breakdown of ACT scores:

- 30-36: Excellent (Top 5% of test-takers)

- 25-29: Above Average (Top 20% of test takers)

- 20-24: Average (Middle 60% of test-takers)

- 15-19: Below Average (Bottom 25% of test-takers)

For highly selective schools (e.g., Ivy League colleges and other top-tier institutions), the majority of admitted students typically have ACT scores of 32 or higher. Many competitive public and private universities have average ACT scores for admitted students in the range of 27 to 31.

To determine what a "good" ACT score is for you, research the average ACT scores of admitted students at the colleges you're interested in. Many college websites provide this information, or you can find it on sites like CollegeVine or the schools' Common Data Set. This will help you set a target score for yourself that aligns with your college aspirations.

Keep in mind that while test scores are an important part of your application, they are not the only factor that colleges consider. Colleges also evaluate your academic performance (GPA, course rigor), extracurricular activities, essays, and letters of recommendation. But aiming for a strong ACT score is a great way to help strengthen your overall college application.