Hi everyone! I recently took the ACT and scored a 25. I'm just wondering if this is considered a decent score, or if I should consider retaking the test. Any advice would be appreciated!
An ACT score of 25 is generally considered a good score, as it falls within the 78th percentile, which means you scored higher than 78% of test-takers. However, whether this score is good enough for you depends on the colleges you are aiming to attend and what their average admitted student scores are.
First, research the average ACT scores of the schools that interest you. If your score falls within the middle 50% range of the admitted students' scores, your chances of acceptance may be stronger. You can typically find this information directly on a school's website, or through third parties like CollegeVine.
If you find that your ACT score could be improved to be more competitive at your target colleges, it might be worth retaking the test. Consider analyzing which sections of the ACT you struggled with the most, and focus on improving in those areas. Additionally, you might try taking an SAT practice test to see if that testing format suits you better, as most colleges accept both tests and have no preference between the two.
Keep in mind that many colleges use a holistic approach to admissions, by considering factors like your grades, extracurricular activities, and essays, in addition to your standardized test scores. And remember that some universities have test-optional admissions policies, which allow you to choose whether or not to submit your test scores.
Applying test-optional could be a helpful option if you feel that your 25 ACT score doesn't accurately represent your academic potential. However, there can be instances where submitting a test score could still be wise. 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
Good luck on the rest of your college admissions journey!
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