Understanding ACT test score distribution

Hey everyone! I was wondering how the ACT test score distribution works. Can someone explain percentiles and what a 'good' score might be in comparison to other test-takers? Thanks!

Hey there! I'd be happy to explain the ACT test score distribution, percentiles, and what constitutes a "good" score.

First, let's discuss percentiles. A percentile represents the percentage of test-takers who scored lower than a specific score. For example, if your percentile rank is 75, it means that you scored higher than 75% of test-takers. Percentiles are used to give you an idea of how well you performed in comparison to others who took the test.

Now, let's talk about the ACT test score distribution. The ACT is scored on a scale from 1-36, and the average score hovers around 20-21. However, percentiles are more useful in determining what a "good" score is. Here's a rough breakdown of percentile ranks for various ACT scores:

- 36: 99+ (top 1%)

- 33-35: 98-99

- 30-32: 92-98

- 27-29: 82-91

- 24-26: 67-81

- 21-23: 49-66

- 18-20: 29-48

- 15-17: 14-28

- 12-14: 5-13

- 1-11: <5

A "good" score is subjective and largely depends on your academic goals and the colleges you're interested in. Generally, a score of 24 or higher is considered good, with 27+ being very competitive for most colleges. Nevertheless, for highly selective institutions, you may need to aim for a score in the 30s. It's essential to research the colleges you want to apply to and see their specific admitted student ACT score ranges to get a better idea of what score you should be targeting.

Remember, while a high ACT score can boost your application, colleges still evaluate your application holistically, considering factors like grades, extracurricular activities, essays, and letters of recommendation. Good luck!