I received a 29 on the ACT and I am curious about the percentile it represents. Can someone explain to me the difference in percentiles between scores like 26, 29, and 32? Thanks!
Percentiles give you an idea of how well you performed on the ACT relative to all the other test-takers. These percentiles can help you understand where you stand among ACT test-takers, which can be useful when applying to colleges. The higher the percentile, the better your performance compared to others.
For the ACT scores in question, I'll provide you with approximate percentiles, but keep in mind these numbers can change slightly from year to year:
- A score of 26 falls around the 82nd percentile, meaning you did better than approximately 82% of test-takers.
- A score of 29 is approximately at the 92nd percentile, meaning you performed better than around 92% of test-takers.
- A score of 32 falls around the 97th percentile, meaning you did better than about 97% of test-takers.
As you can see, there's a notable difference in percentiles when moving from a 26 to a 29 or a 29 to a 32. With each increase, your performance relative to other test-takers improves significantly, showcasing your academic abilities to colleges you apply to. Scoring in higher percentiles may make you a more competitive candidate for the college admission process.
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.