Hello, been prepping for the ACT and it's stressing me out. Can someone give me a ballpark figure for what is considered a 'good' score, especially for more competitive schools?
Sure, I'd be happy to clarify. When it comes to competitive colleges, you should aim for an ACT composite score in the 30s. The most selective colleges tend to have average ACT scores of admitted students around 32-35.
For instance, the mid 50% ACT score range for students at Harvard University, a highly selective institution, usually falls between 34 and 36. This means that 50% of admitted students scored within this range.
Remember, while your ACT score is a crucial part of your application, it is not the only factor. Your grade point average, curriculum rigor, extracurricular activities, letters of recommendation, and essays also play significant role in the admissions decision.
To conceptualize your score, consider that a 34 out of 36 places you in the 99th percentile of test takers, meaning you outperform 99% of all students taking the exam. This is generally a strong score for even the most competitive colleges.
Also, it's worth noting that some colleges and universities have moved to test-optional policies recently. While you may decide to take the test and submit your scores, remember that there are schools that don't require them.
But, of course, a good score can certainly supplement your application so best of luck in your ACT prep!
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