So I'm taking the ACT soon, and I've been studying pretty hard, but I'm wondering what the average composite score is typically? Would help to know what I'm up against and where I should aim. Cheers!
The average ACT composite score varies each year, but historically it's been around a 20 or 21, meaning a student scores around 20-21 in each subsection (English, Math, Reading, and Science) of the exam. This is out of a possible maximum score of 36.
However, these averages don't quite tell the whole story, because what's considered a 'good' ACT score can depend largely on the colleges you're targeting. More selective colleges typically expect higher scores. For instance, a score above 30 is usually competitive for most high-ranking universities, while an Ivy League institution may have an average ACT score of around 33 or 34 for enrolled students.
With this in mind, it's important to research the median ACT scores at the colleges you're interested in to better understand where your score should fall to be competitive. At the end of the day, the best approach towards the ACT is to aim for the highest score you personally can achieve. Continued studying and practicing, as you're already doing, are the best ways to improve your score. Good luck!
CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.