Skip to main content
What are your chances of acceptance?
Your chance of acceptance
Duke University
Loading…
UCLA
Loading…
+ add school
Your chancing factors
Unweighted GPA: 3.7
1.0
4.0
SAT: 720 math
200
800
| 800 verbal
200
800

Extracurriculars

Low accuracy (4 of 18 factors)

What's a good ACT reading score to have?

Hey, I just took a practice ACT test and I'm trying to figure out what's considered a good score for the reading section. Can anyone help me out with the average ACT reading score students should aim for? Thanks!

2 years ago

A good ACT Reading score depends on your goals and the colleges you're aiming for. A great starting point is the average ACT Reading score, which is 20-21. However, if you're aiming to attend more competitive colleges, you should aim for a higher score.

To break it down further, here's a rough guideline for ACT Reading scores:

- 30+: This is considered an excellent score and will place you in the top 10% of test-takers. It's a competitive score for top colleges.

- 26-29: This is considered a very good score and will place you in the top 25% of test-takers. It's a strong score for many schools, including selective colleges.

- 21-25: This is considered an average to slightly above average score. You'll be in the 50-75% percentile range, making you a stronger applicant for less selective colleges.

- 16-20: This is considered a below average score. It's below the national average but could still be accepted at some less competitive colleges. It would be helpful to work on improving your score if possible.

- 15 or below: This is considered a low score and will place you in the bottom 25% of test-takers. It's recommended to focus on improving your score to increase your chances of getting admitted to various colleges.

Keep in mind that these scores are just a rough guideline. Each college has its own range of accepted ACT scores, so it's important to research the colleges you're interested in and work towards a reading score that falls within their range or even exceeds it. Don't forget that colleges often utilize a holistic approach to admissions, so it's important to focus on other aspects like your GPA, extracurricular activities, personal statement, and more, in addition to your standardized test scores. Good luck!

2 years ago

About CollegeVine’s Expert FAQ

CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.