The ACT Dilemma: What's a Good Score?

Hi guys, I'm about to take the ACT and I'm stressing over what a competitive score might be. I'm applying to a mix of target, reach, and safety schools. What score range should I aim for to stand out in the crowd?

It's helpful to consider a good ACT score as one that aligns with or exceeds the average scores of admitted students at your target schools. By looking at the middle 50% ACT score range for your schools of interest, you can get a general idea of the score that you should strive for. For instance, if a school’s middle 50% ACT score range is 29-33, then 75% of admitted students scored a 33 or below, and 25% of admitted students scored a 29 or below. So, a competitive applicant would aim for a score higher than 33.

The national average ACT score is around a 20.8, but selective colleges will often look for scores in the upper 20s or 30s. Reach schools typically have higher middle 50% ACT scores, so be prepared to aim for a near-perfect score if highly selective, Ivy League institutions are on your list.

It's also important to note that while test scores are considered a key component of your application, they do not solely determine your admission. Colleges will look at your application holistically, meaning your GPA, coursework, extracurricular activities, essays, and letters of recommendation are also vital components of your application.

Having said all this, it's a good idea to aim for the highest score possible to keep all your options open. Make sure to devote sufficient time to study and consider taking practice tests to identify your strengths and areas of improvement. Keep in mind that you can take the test more than once. Colleges will consider the highest score you've achieved in their review process.

If you want to get a more concrete sense of where you should aim on the ACT, I'd check out CollegeVine's free chancing engine, which accounts for all quantifiable elements of your application, including not just test scores but also GPA, course rigor, and extracurriculars to give you personalized odds of acceptance at over 1,600 colleges around the country: https://www.collegevine.com/admissions-calculator

You can experiment with entering various ACT scores to see how much of a boost a particular one would give you at your top-choice schools. Don't stress too much and do your best! Good luck!