Average ACT scores - what should I know?

I'm planning on taking the ACT later this year, and I was wondering: what's considered a 'good' ACT score? What are the average scores for each section and how do I know if my score has competitive enough for my desired colleges? Thanks in advance!

A "good" ACT score is relative and depends on your goals and the colleges you're targeting. To provide some context, here's a breakdown of the ACT scoring:

- The ACT is scored on a scale of 1 to 36.

- The exam consists of four sections: English, Math, Reading, and Science. Each section is scored on the same 1 to 36 scale.

- Your composite score is the average of your four section scores, rounded to the nearest whole number.

As of 2021, the national average composite ACT score was 20.3, and the average scores for each section were as follows:

- English: 19.2

- Math: 19.9

- Reading: 20.6

- Science: 20.1

To determine if your ACT score is competitive for your desired colleges, research the middle 50% ACT scores for admitted students at those institutions. The middle 50% score range means that 25% of admitted students scored below the lower end, while 25% scored above the upper end. If your score falls within the middle 50% or above, your chances of admission are generally stronger.

For example, if a college's middle 50% ACT range is 29-33, and you score within or above that range, you are a competitive candidate for that school. You can usually find a school's middle 50% information directly on their website, or through third parties like CollegeVine.

When setting a target ACT score, aim for at least the upper end of the middle 50% range for your top-choice schools to maximize your chances of admission. Keep in mind, though, that while ACT scores are important, they're just one part of your application. Other factors, such as your transcript, extracurriculars, essays, and letters of recommendation, also significantly impact your chances of being admitted, so don't rely on your ACT score alone to get you in, especially at more selective schools.

To get a precise sense of what kind of ACT score you personally should aim for, I'd recommend utilizing CollegeVine's free chancing engine, which accounts for all quantifiable elements of your profile, including grades, course rigor, extracurriculars, and yes, test scores to give you personalized odds of acceptance at hundreds of schools around the country: https://www.collegevine.com/admissions-calculator/. You can experiment with inputting various ACT scores to see how each one would influence your odds of acceptance.

Finally, for more information about the ACT, as well as some study tips, check out CollegeVine's series of blog posts focused on ACT prep: https://blog.collegevine.com/category/standardized-tests/act/. Good luck with your ACT preparation and college admissions journey!