What is a Good ACT Score? All You Need to Know About ACT Score Range & Test Prep
Last updated: April 2026. Written by Josh Hutcheson. See our review methodology.
The ACT is scored on a 1-36 composite scale. The national average is approximately 19.5-20.5 (per ACT.org data). Whether your score is “good” depends entirely on where you want to apply. Here’s the full breakdown.
ACT Score Ranges and Percentiles
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| ACT Score | Percentile | What It Means |
|---|---|---|
| 34-36 | 99th+ | Top 1% — competitive for Ivy League |
| 31-33 | 95-98th | Highly competitive for top-50 universities |
| 28-30 | 88-94th | Strong — competitive for selective schools |
| 24-27 | 74-87th | Above average — solid for state universities |
| 20-23 | 50-73rd | Average range — meets many college requirements |
| 16-19 | 25-49th | Below average — limits selective school options |
| 1-15 | 1-24th | Significant room for improvement |
Source: ACT.org percentile rankings. Exact percentiles vary slightly by test year.
What Score Do You Need for Your Target School?
| School Tier | Typical ACT Range | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Ivy League / Top 10 | 33-36 | Harvard, MIT, Stanford, Princeton |
| Top 25 | 30-34 | Duke, Georgetown, UCLA, Michigan |
| Top 50 | 27-32 | Boston University, Wisconsin, Purdue |
| State Universities | 22-28 | State flagships, regional universities |
| Open Admission | Any score | Community colleges, some state schools |
Is Your Score Good Enough? Quick Answers
Is 19-21 a good ACT score?
Around the national average. Competitive for many state universities and community colleges. Most students in this range can improve 3-5 points with focused prep, which opens significantly more options.
Is 22-25 a good ACT score?
Above average (73rd-79th percentile). Competitive for most state flagships and many private universities. A 25 means you scored better than roughly 3 out of 4 test-takers.
Is 26-29 a good ACT score?
Strong (82nd-93rd percentile). Competitive for selective schools. A 28 puts you in the top 10% nationally and in range for top-50 universities.
Is 30+ a good ACT score?
Excellent (95th+ percentile). A 30 makes you competitive at most schools in the country. A 34+ puts you in Ivy League range, though admissions at that level depend heavily on other factors.
How to Improve Your ACT Score
ACT scores respond well to practice — the test is fast-paced, and familiarity with the format makes a measurable difference. ACT.org reports that students who retake the test improve by an average of 2-3 points.
Free options:
- ACT Academy — free official practice from ACT.org
- Khan Academy — free practice questions and study plans
Paid prep courses:
- Kaplan ACT Prep — comprehensive content review with score guarantee
- Magoosh ACT — affordable video lessons and practice ($99-179)
- Prep Expert — live online classes with strategy coaching
For study strategies: ACT Tips and Strategies
Not sure which test to take? SAT vs ACT comparison
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average ACT score?
The national average ACT composite is approximately 19.5-20.5 (per ACT.org). This represents the 50th percentile.
How many times can you take the ACT?
Up to 12 times total. Most students take it 2-3 times. ACT offers a superscore option where colleges take your best section scores across multiple sittings.
Do colleges superscore the ACT?
Many do — they take your highest score from each section across all test dates and combine them. Check each school’s policy. Superscoring makes retaking the ACT low-risk.
Is the ACT easier than the SAT?
Neither is objectively easier. The ACT is faster-paced with more questions per section and includes science. The SAT gives more time per question with deeper reading analysis. Take a practice test for each. See our SAT vs ACT comparison.
When should I take the ACT?
Most students first take it in spring of junior year with a retake in fall of senior year if needed. The ACT is offered 7 times per year (September through July).
