Hey guys! I just got my ACT scores, and I'm not sure how good they are. How do I view my scores in a way that makes it easy for me to compare with other students and colleges? Are there any reliable resources for this?
Hi there! To interpret your ACT scores and compare them with other students and colleges, you can utilize percentiles and average scores of admitted students at your target schools.
Keep in mind that the ACT is scored on a scale from 1 to 36, with 36 being the highest possible score. Each of the four sections (English, Math, Reading, and Science) is also scored on this same scale, and your composite score is an average of these four section scores.
To see how your score compares to other students, you can look at the percentiles released by the ACT. Percentiles tell you the percentage of test-takers who scored lower than you. For example, if you're in the 90th percentile, that means you scored higher than 90% of students who took the test. You can find this information in your score report or on the ACT website.
When comparing your scores to college averages, you'll want to research the middle 50% score range for admitted students at your target schools. This refers to the range in which 50% of admitted students' scores typically fall—25% of admitted students' scores will be below this range, and 25% will be above. By comparing your score with the middle 50% range, you can gauge how competitive your score is for admission to a particular school. You can usually find this information on college websites or on popular platforms like CollegeVine, which offer these statistics alongside other relevant admissions information.
Keep in mind that although ACT scores are a significant factor in admissions decisions, colleges also use a holistic approach and consider other aspects of your application, including GPA, rigorous coursework, extracurricular activities, essays, and letters of recommendation. As always, research your specific target colleges to learn more about their admissions requirements and make a well-rounded admissions plan.
Good luck with your college search!
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