Hey everyone! So, I recently got my ACT results and I'm struggling to understand where I stand compared to the average US scores. Can anyone help me understand? Thanks a ton!
Absolutely, I'd be glad to help you understand it. On the ACT, the score range is from 1 to 36. The "average ACT score" you often hear about refers to the national average composite score, which is the average of your four section scores: English, Mathematics, Reading, and Science.
As of the most recent data, the average ACT score for all students in the U.S. is around 20.6. This composite score represents an average performance on the exam. So, if your score is above 20.6, you are scoring above the national average, and if your score is below 20.6, you are scoring below the national average.
However, please note that "average" doesn't mean "required." Depending on what colleges you're interested in, average scores could look different. For some colleges, an ACT score of 25 might be above average, whereas for more selective colleges, the average might be around 30.
The important thing is to aim for a score that will be competitive for the schools you wish to apply to. Most colleges will provide a 25th-75th percentile ACT score range of admitted students, which you can find on their admissions websites.
I hope this helps clarify the concept of average ACT scores for you!
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