What's up folks? So I took the ACT and got my scores back but I'm not really sure what my percentile rank actually means. Can anyone explain this to me in simple terms? Much obliged!
Hello! The percentile rank is a statistical measure that allows you to see where you sit relatively to other test-takers. It isn’t a part of your ACT score, but it helps give context to how well you performed compared to everyone else.
Here's a simple way to think about it: if your percentile rank is 90, that means you scored better than 90% of the other test-takers. Friendly reminder—this doesn't mean you got 90% of the questions right; it’s a comparative measure, showing your performance relative to the group of test-takers.
You'll have a percentile rank for each section (English, Math, Reading, and Science), as well as a composite percentile. The composite percentile is your overall ranking compared to others, formed by averaging your section scores.
Keep in mind, the ACT is just one aspect of your college application and admissions officers will take into account many other variables too. Happy studying!
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.