Got my results back for the ACT, and I scored a 23. Is this a good score? Not quite sure how to feel about it. Will I still be able to get into a decent college with this score?
A score of 23 on the ACT can be considered a good one depending on the colleges you're targeting. It places you above the national average (which is approximately around 21). This means that out of all the students across the country taking the ACT, you scored higher than a good chunk of them!
To elaborate, a score of 23 falls into the 68th percentile. This means that approximately 68% of all test takers scored equal to or lower than you. So, from a national perspective, you have certainly performed well. However, admissions scores trends vary from college to college.
If your goal is to attend a highly selective university, you might want to aim higher. Most of these institutions have an ACT score range above 30 for the middle fifty percent of admitted students. On the other hand, many state universities and less selective colleges have a median ACT score that's closer to your score of 23. You can typically find these stats on a college's admissions webpage.
And keep in mind, standardized test scores are just one piece of the admissions puzzle. Past academic performance, extracurricular involvement, and application essays are also significant components.
However, if you feel you can improve your score by retaking the ACT, it might be something to consider. You could look into studying strategies utilized by others to identify areas where you might be able to enhance your performance.
All in all, a score of 23 does leave you with plenty of options for college. Congrats for completing this challenging test!
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