Act Scoring - Need a breakdown

Hey guys, I've been studying for the ACT and the scoring system is kinda confusing. Could anyone explain to me what the scores mean and what's considered a 'good' ACT score?

Sure, I'd be happy to explain. The ACT consists of four multiple-choice sections: English, Reading, Math, and Science. Each section is scored on a scale of 1-36, and your scores from these sections are then averaged to obtain your composite score, which is also on a scale of 1-36.

So, if you receive a 29 on English, 30 on Reading, 28 on Math, and 31 on Science, your composite score would be (29+30+28+31)/4 = 29.5, which rounds up to 30.

As for what's considered a "good" ACT score, it depends on the colleges you're interested in. In general, a score of 21 is the national average. However, if you're aiming for more competitive colleges, they typically have higher average ACT scores. For instance, the middle 50% of admitted students at Harvard University, for example, have ACT scores between 33 and 35.

Please remember that the ACT is just one part of your application and it gets factored into what's known as the Academic Index for selective schools. This Academic Index is a combination of your grades, test scores, and occasionally class rank.

Also, keep in mind that due to changes in testing policies, some universities, like NYU and UChicago, have become test-optional, meaning they don't require ACT or SAT scores with your application. Colleges recognize that standardized tests aren't the only or even main indicators of a student's potential, so other aspects of your application like extracurricular activity involvement, essays, and letters of recommendation also play significant roles in the admission decision.

But, overall, aiming to score at or above the average ACT score of admitted students to the colleges on your list is a good start.