What is a good ACT score?
A good ACT score is one inside or above the middle range of the colleges you are applying to. Nationally, ACT reports an average Composite of 19.4 for the class of 2025, and its College Readiness Benchmarks are English 18, Math 22, Reading 22 and Science 23. A Composite of 24 or more is well above average; selective colleges often enroll students at 30 to 35.
- 19.4
- average, class of 2025
- 36
- highest Composite
- 18–23
- section benchmarks
- C9
- where colleges list ranges
Last checked · ACT figures, read 22 October 2026
By the LifeScore Editorial Team · Updated · How we check facts · How this is scored
What is the average ACT score?
19.4 for the class of 2025, from ACT's graduating class report. 30% of those graduates met three or more of the four College Readiness Benchmarks.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Composite, class of 2025 | 19.4 |
| English benchmark | 18 |
| Math benchmark | 22 |
| Reading benchmark | 22 |
| Science benchmark | 23 |
| STEM benchmark | 26 |
| Met 3 or more benchmarks, class of 2025 | 30% |
The national average includes every student who tested, including whole states that test all juniors on a school day. It describes all test takers, not college applicants, so being above it is a good sign but not the same as being competitive at a particular college.
What ACT score do colleges want?
Each college publishes the ACT range of the students it enrolled, usually the 25th and 75th percentiles of the Composite, in its Common Data Set (section C9) and often on its admissions page. At or above the 75th percentile is strong for that college.
- Search for "[college name] Common Data Set" and open the latest year.
- In section C9, find the ACT Composite 25th and 75th percentiles, and the share of students who submitted ACT scores.
- Aim for the 75th percentile at the colleges you most want.
- If you also have an SAT score, compare both using the concordance on [SAT vs ACT](/sat-vs-act) and send the stronger one.
We do not print a table of colleges here. Their ranges change every year and differ between sources, and a list we could not check against each college's own Common Data Set would mislead you. Use the college's own figures for the year you apply.
At test-optional colleges, the published range comes only from students who chose to submit, so it runs high. A score below the 25th percentile there may be better left out.
Close the gap to your target
Eight ACT-style mocks and 16 section drills, every answer explained, so you can see which section is holding your Composite back.
The ACT Pass Pack gives you 8 full mocks on the real clock, 16 drills of 12 questions for the sections that cost you points, and a predictor that turns your mocks into the odds of reaching your target. One payment, no subscription, and your free score stays free.
Prep courses for these tests usually cost $19 to $129. The ACT Pass Pack is US$39 (£29), once.
- 8
- timed mocks
- 16
- topic drills
- 1
- score predictor
Do ACT section scores matter?
Yes. Colleges see each section score, some programs set section minimums, and colleges use the benchmarks or section scores for course placement. A 30 Composite with a 22 in Math reads differently from one with a 30 in every section.
Since 2025 the Composite averages English, Math and Reading only. Science is reported separately, and a STEM score combines Math and Science. If you are applying to engineering or science programs, check whether they look at Science or STEM.
Our ACT practice test scores each section separately for this reason: the section furthest from your target is where your next points come from.
How is the ACT Composite calculated?
Add your English, Math and Reading scores, divide by three and round to the nearest whole number, with halves rounding up. Science and Writing are not included.
| English | Math | Reading | Average | Composite |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 24 | 22 | 25 | 23.67 | 24 |
| 30 | 27 | 29 | 28.67 | 29 |
| 20 | 21 | 21 | 20.67 | 21 |
| 33 | 31 | 32 | 32.00 | 32 |
Because the Composite is an average, one point on a section is worth a third of a point on the Composite, and a student close to a rounding boundary can gain a full Composite point from a single section point. A strong section can make up for a weaker one, but colleges still see all three.
What is a good ACT score in SAT terms?
Use the official 2018 concordance. An ACT 24 equals an SAT 1180, a 28 equals 1310, and a 32 equals 1430. Colleges use the same table to compare applicants who took different tests.
| ACT | SAT |
|---|---|
| 36 | 1590 |
| 34 | 1500 |
| 32 | 1430 |
| 30 | 1370 |
| 28 | 1310 |
| 26 | 1240 |
| 24 | 1180 |
| 22 | 1110 |
| 20 | 1040 |
| 18 | 970 |
The full table and a converter are on SAT vs ACT. If you have both scores, send the one that converts higher; most colleges consider only your best.
What ACT score do you need for scholarships?
It depends entirely on the scholarship. Many colleges and states award merit aid partly on ACT scores, each with its own cutoff, and the cutoffs change from year to year, so check the current terms for each one.
Look for the cutoff on the college's financial aid or scholarships page, or on your state's higher education agency page for state programs. Where a scholarship uses a cutoff, a single Composite point can decide eligibility, which makes a second sitting worth considering if you are just below it.
We do not list cutoffs here, because we could not check them against each program's current rules, and an out-of-date figure could cost you money.
What is an ACT superscore?
A superscore averages your best English, Math and Reading scores from different test dates into a new Composite. Many colleges accept ACT superscores; check each college's policy.
Say you score English 26, Math 24, Reading 27 in April and English 24, Math 28, Reading 25 in June. Your best single sitting is 26 (April, rounded from 25.7), but your superscore uses 26, 28 and 27: an average of 27.
Superscoring means a second sitting can focus on your weakest section without having to repeat your best ones. Plan it with section drills between dates.
How can I raise my ACT score?
Find your weakest section and where the clock is costing you, fix the rules behind your misses, and practise at the real pace. There is no fixed gain anyone can promise; steady timed practice is what moves the score.
- Take a timed mock and note your weakest section and any unanswered questions.
- Drill that section at the real pace and learn the rule behind every miss.
- Take an official ACT practice test every two or three weeks to measure progress.
- Stop when you are above the 75th percentile at your target colleges.
More on the test itself is in the ACT test guide, and worked examples of every section are on ACT sample questions.
Frequently asked questions
Is 24 a good ACT score?
Is 30 a good ACT score?
What is a perfect ACT score?
What ACT score equals 1200 on the SAT?
Is this the real ACT?
Get to the range your colleges want
Eight full ACT-style mocks, four drills for each section, every answer explained and a printable study guide, in one payment.
The ACT Pass Pack gives you 8 full mocks on the real clock, 16 drills of 12 questions for the sections that cost you points, and a predictor that turns your mocks into the odds of reaching your target. One payment, no subscription, and your free score stays free.
Prep courses for these tests usually cost $19 to $129. The ACT Pass Pack is US$39 (£29), once.
- 8
- timed mocks
- 16
- topic drills
- 1
- score predictor