What's considered a passing score on the ACT?

Hey everyone, I was just wondering, what score do you need to pass the ACT? I've heard it's not pass/fail, but I'm just curious about what a suitable score would be to have a good chance at college applications. Thanks in advance!

You're right that the ACT doesn't technically have a pass or fail score, but a "passing score" in the context of college admissions might be considered as a score that improves your chances of acceptance at the schools you're applying to.

The ACT score is reported on a scale of 1 to 36, with 36 being the highest possible score and 1 being the lowest. The national average ACT score is usually around 20-21. However, depending on the competitiveness of the colleges you're applying to, a passing score can be quite different. Here's a rough breakdown:

1. For highly selective schools (think Ivy League, Stanford, MIT, etc.): A competitive ACT score would be around 33-36. Most admitted students at these schools have scores in the top 1-2% of all test-takers.

2. For colleges with a moderately high level of selectivity (for example, many state flagship universities and private schools): A competitive ACT score might be around 28-32.

3. For less selective colleges, state schools, or regional colleges: A competitive ACT score could be in the 22-27 range.

Of course, these are generalizations, and every school has its own specific range of middle 50% ACT scores for admitted students. Research the colleges you're interested in applying to and find out their typical ACT scores to gauge where your score falls within their ranges. Keep in mind, however, that a high ACT score doesn't guarantee admission, as colleges will also consider factors like your GPA, extracurricular activities, and essays. Likewise, a below-average score for a particular school doesn't completely eliminate your chances, especially at schools that use a holistic review process.

Even though there's no official "passing score," it's essential to aim for a competitive score for the colleges you're interested in applying to, to maximize your chances of admission.