What does ACT percentile really mean?

Hi there, could anyone break down for me what percentiles in ACT scores mean and why they're significant for college admissions?

Sure, I'd be happy to help explain!

You can think of your ACT percentile as a measure of how you performed compared to other test-takers. So, if you scored in the 75th percentile, for example, it means that you scored higher than roughly 75% of the other students who took the ACT. Conversely, it also means that about 25% of test-takers scored the same as or higher than you.

Your percentile ranking can help contextualize your score. So even if you're looking at an ACT score that seems low to you, if your percentile rank is high, it means that you're still outperforming a significant number of your peers.

Colleges often use ACT percentiles to help evaluate applicants because they give an idea of a student's relative standing compared to other college-bound students. An ACT score in a high percentile can be a strong positive point on your application because it shows the admissions officer that you are among the top performers in a standardized environment.

Additionally, many colleges release information about score ranges for the middle 50% of accepted students, which is data based on the percentile rankings at that particular institution. This information allows you to gauge how competitive your scores are at a given school, not just across the board.

Of course, while a high ACT percentile can indeed enhance your application, variety and depth within your activities and experiences are also highly valued by admissions officers, so make sure you're paying close attention to all aspects of your application, not just test scores. I hope you find this overview helpful!