What is a Good ACT Score?

ACT is an assessment test that determines the examinee's preparedness for entering a college/university space and also a great means to avail scholarships. All this can be made possible by attaining a "good ACT score" that changes from test to test.

First of all, the highest score attainable in the ACT is 36, which is an average mark obtained in individual sections. The subjects that are dealt with in this exam, as is known, are English, Mathematics, Reading, and Science. The average obtained in such a manner is called a composite score. As is evident, comparing this percentile to the general population of examinees in the particular test provides one with a good ACT score.

The good in a "good ACT score" is relative. That statement is putting the truth out too mildly. In other words, the score that an examinee aspires to achieve should be based on the colleges or universities they are applying to. When a score of 23 is considered the national average, it is to be assumed that an aspirant must attain a higher percentile to be admitted to a better college/university.

Comparing ACT Scores

The two ways in which ACT scores can be compared are through averages and percentiles.

• Averages-While comparing through averages, one must keep in mind that scoring above the average, i.e., scoring among the upper half of all examinees, already makes the score good. The higher this is, the better it will be considered. On the other hand, a score in the lower half of the same section reflects a poor grade that might not open up chances for better higher education.
  
  The average composite score is 20.8, divided into four sections: 20.2 for English, 20.5 for Mathematics, 21.3 for Reading, and 20.8 for Science. This data demonstrates that any score above 21 will be considered an above-average ACT score.
• Percentiles - This being the percentage of examinees that have scored the same as or above the candidate is an adequate means of estimating what score should be aimed for by the aspirant. If one gets a percentile of 70, it can be assumed that one has scored relatively better than 70% of all examinees who have taken the test.
  
  In other words, a composite score(percentile) of 29 would imply that they have surpassed above 90% of examinees and scored above them with a good score. A score of 14 would imply that the candidate is part of the lower 10% of examinees with a bad score.

Average, Below Average, and Above Average ACT Scores

The test is set up to follow a normal distribution, implying that the cluster that has received similar percentiles will take up the middle of the scale. Scored between 1 and 36, the average in 2022 was 19.8. When 19.8 is considered the average, below average would be anything less than 12. Despite having a low composite score on the ACT, one can always apply for college programs with a decent GPA and an exemplary college application. This may imply that the student might have to take up remedial classes, but, on the whole, any grade would not hinder an aspirant's dreams for higher education. Looking at the table that depicts a percentile variation according to state, one can understand that most examinees are not high-end or low-end scorers but promise an average score that can let an aspirant join a college or university.

The percentile varying across states in the year 2022 would be as follows-

Average ACT Score (2022) for Students by State

State	Avg. Composite Score
Alabama	18
Louisiana	18.1
Mississippi	17.8
Nevada	17.3
Tennessee	18.6
Wyoming	19.2
Kentucky	18.6
North Dakota	19.2
Montana	19.3
Nebraska	19.4
Oklahoma	17.9
Arkansas	18.8
Wisconsin	19.4
Utah	19.9
North Carolina	18.5
Ohio	19.4
Kansas	19.9
Minnesota	21
Missouri	20.2
Arizona	18.4
South Dakota	21.5
Hawaii	18.8
Iowa	21.4
Florida	19
South Carolina	18.9
Georgia	21.6
West Virginia	20.5
Texas	19.8
New Mexico	19.8
District of Columbia	26.9
Illinois	24.5
Colorado	23.2
Idaho	22.8
Alaska	20.4
Indiana	22.8
New Jersey	24.6
New York	25.3
Connecticut	26.3
Massachusetts	26.5
Virginia	24.6
Maryland	24.4
Michigan	24.6
Vermont	23.7
Oregon	23
Pennsylvania	24.4
Washington	24.6
Delaware	24.9
New Hampshire	25.7
Rhode Island	25.2
California	26.5
Maine	25.1

An above-average grade, on the other hand, is tailor-made to the needs of students depending on the college one wants to attend. An aspirant must find the composite score average that the university/college they are applying for usually demands or at least go through the statistical data available stating the composite score average of students who were admitted into the college/university.
Remember: The above is just the average score at the university level. Departmental scores could be much higher, and Computer Science, Economics, and Management programs will have much higher average scores.

Average ACT Score (2022) for Students in High-End Colleges and Universities

College/University	ACT Score
Columbia University	34-36
Harvard College	33-36
Massachusetts Institute of Technology	34-36
New York University	32-35
Princeton University	33-35
University of California-Berkeley	33-35
University of Pennsylvania	33-35
University of Chicago	33-35
Darmouth College	32-35

"Good ACT Scores" over the Years

While estimating an average "good score" over the years, one may assume there has been a great difference with time but this hasn't been the case. The current average ACT score is 19.5. Based on the university or college one is aiming for, one should aim for a certain average score when taking the test. A strong ACT score at one university may not meet the requirements at another due to the unique admissions policies of each college. An Ivy League college such as Harvard College would consider a score of 33 to be in the 25% percentile. Nevertheless, a score of 35 places you in the 75% percentile. Anything less than that won't get you into a reputable university.

Trends throughout the years
The following are the trends over the years for both composite scores and subject-specific scores:

Years	Avg. Composite Score	Avg. English Score	Avg. Maths Score	Avg. Reading Score	Avg. Science Score
2019	20.7	20.1	20.4	21.2	20.6
2020	20.6	19.9	20.2	21.2	20.6
2021	20.3	19.6	19.9	20.9	20.4
2022	19.8	19.0	19.3	20.4	19.9
2023	19.5	18.6	19.0	20.1	19.6

Strategies to Follow if ACT Score is Low

If one receives a grade way below the 25% percentile, it should be understood that the ACT is not the only test that can be provided at a college/university. Other examinations can be taken that might showcase their skills better since English, Mathematics, Reading, and Science are not the only subjects of importance.

Putting extra effort into schoolwork and gaining exemplary grades in tough subjects, along with a display of exceptional extracurricular skills, will be a bonus in getting admission into colleges of good reputation. These performances may be backed up with genuine letters of recommendation and a concisely worded college application, bypassing a lower ACT grade.

The student can retake the test if time permits, which is the best option. After attempting the test for the first time, one might have been able to identify the drawbacks and limitations they faced. Sometimes, if observant enough, one could also identify where they went wrong and what form of preparation would aid them in increasing their percentile.

This will include identifying the subject of weakness, finding the right prep book suited to one's needs, and the patience and discipline required to focus on the task ahead. Since the ACT is based on the school curriculum, reiterating the syllabus and learning the basics would be a good way to start preparation. Along with understanding key concepts, it should be remembered that a test with a certain time limit requires going through timed practice tests.

The student can also choose not to send the ACT score report to the college/university of choice when the grades are low, which would just be considered as if the test hadn't been attempted in the first place, thereby nullifying the damage a bad percentile can cause.