Is a 20 on the ACT considered good?

Hey, everyone! Took the ACTs recently and received a 20. Is this a good score, and how do colleges view it?

Hello! A 20 on the ACT is considered an average score – it's right around the national average of 20.3. While this score may not be high enough to gain admission to highly-selective schools, it might be sufficient for many colleges and universities with less rigorous admission standards.

When evaluating your ACT score, colleges also consider your high school GPA, extracurricular activities, essays, and recommendation letters as part of their holistic admissions process. Keep in mind that certain institutions may have minimum ACT score requirements, so it's a good idea to research the average scores of accepted students at the schools you're interested in applying to.

If you believe you can improve your ACT score, consider retaking the exam after additional preparation, as many colleges superscore the ACT, meaning they'll consider the highest section scores across multiple test dates. Higher test scores can not only improve your odds of admission but may also make you eligible for merit-based scholarships. Good luck with your college applications!