What’s a “Good” ACT Score for Your Dream College?

You’ve probably heard the buzz, seen the stressed-out faces, and maybe even taken a practice test or two. The ACT—a nearly three-hour marathon of English, Math, Reading, and Science—looms large in the minds of college-bound students. But amidst all the preparation and anxiety, one question consistently rises to the top: “What’s a good ACT score?”

It’s a deceptively simple question with a complex answer, because “good” isn’t a universal constant. It’s not a fixed number etched in stone, like a perfect 36. Instead, a truly good test score is deeply personal, meticulously tailored to your unique aspirations and the specific institutions you dream of attending. Think of it less like a single finish line and more like a series of personalized benchmarks, each one aligned with a different destination on your academic journey.

Beyond the Raw Number: Understanding What “Good” Really Means for Your ACT Score

Let’s be honest: when you first think about a good ACT score, your mind probably jumps to a high number—28, 30, maybe even a 34 or 35. While higher scores are generally more competitive, fixating solely on the raw composite can be misleading. To truly understand what makes a score “good” for you, we need to peel back the layers and look at the bigger picture. Even though the ACT composite can reach the highest score of 36, focusing only on the raw composite can be misleading

The National Average is Just a Starting Point

The ACT, like many standardized tests, publishes a national average composite score each year. For recent years, this average has hovered around a 20 or 21. It’s a statistic that many students initially look to as a benchmark. “If I get above a 21, I’m doing well, right?” Well, not necessarily.

While exceeding the national average is certainly a positive indicator, it functions more as a general temperature check than a definitive measure of your competitiveness. Imagine you’re training for a marathon. Knowing the average finishing time for all runners is interesting, but if your goal is to qualify for the Boston Marathon, you need to know the much faster qualifying times, not just the general average. Similarly, the national ACT average tells you where the average student performs, but it says little about what it takes to get into a highly selective university or a specialized program. It’s a starting point, a baseline, but rarely the finish line for ambitious students.

The “goodness” of your score is determined by three key factors:

Your Target Colleges: This is the most significant determinant. Each college has its own academic profile and, consequently, its own range of accepted ACT scores. What’s competitive at one institution might be below average at another.

Your Intended Major/Program: Some programs, even within the same university, are far more competitive than others. A computer science program, for instance, might have higher average ACT scores for admitted students than a liberal arts program at the same school.

Scholarship Opportunities: Many merit-based scholarships are directly tied to ACT scores. A good score in this context is one that unlocks significant financial aid, potentially making a dream college affordable.

So, before you set your sights on an arbitrary number, remember that your good score is a function of your aspirations. It’s about aligning your performance with the specific requirements and expectations of your desired path.

How Your ACT Score Stacks Up: A Look at Percentiles

While the raw composite score gives you a single number, it doesn’t tell the whole story of how you compare to other test-takers. For that, we turn to percentiles – a much more powerful and informative metric.

What is an ACT Percentile?

An ACT percentile indicates the percentage of test-takers who scored at or below your score. For example, if you score in the 75th percentile, it means you scored as well as or better than 75% of the students who took the ACT. Conversely, 25% of test-takers scored higher than you.

It’s crucial to understand that ACT score percentiles are not the same as percentage correct. If you get 75% of the questions right on a test, that’s a measure of your accuracy. If you score in the 75th percentile, that’s a measure of your standing relative to others. You could get 90% of the questions correct and still be in the 75th percentile if the test was easy and many people scored even higher.

Why Percentiles Matter More Than Raw Scores

Colleges look at percentiles because they provide context. A raw score of, say, 25 might seem like a solid score on its own. But if that 25 places you only in the 70th percentile, it means 30% of test-takers scored higher than you. If that university typically admits students in the 85th percentile or higher, your 25, while numerically decent, might be relatively low for their applicant pool. Note that being in the 50th percentile of ACT scores will still get you into great schools.

Think of it like height. Knowing someone is 5 feet, 8 inches tall is a raw measurement. But knowing they are in the 70th percentile for adult male height tells you much more about how they compare to the general population. Colleges want to see where you stand in the competitive landscape of other applicants, and percentiles offer that direct comparison. They give admissions committees a clearer picture of your performance relative to your peers, which is invaluable when constructing a diverse and talented incoming class.

Finding Your Dream College’s ACT Sweet Spot

Now that we understand the nuances of what “good” means and the power of percentiles, it’s time to get practical. How do you find the specific ACT score range that will make you a competitive applicant for your dream schools?

Researching Mid-50% Ranges: Your Most Important Metric

Forget the national average. When researching colleges, your absolute most important metric for ACT scores is the “mid-50% range” (sometimes called the 25th-75th percentile range) for admitted students.

Here’s why this is so critical:

It’s specific to the college: This range tells you exactly where the majority of their admitted students scored.

It’s a practical target: If you score within this range, you are academically competitive with a significant portion of their admitted class. If you score above the 75th percentile, you’re in an even stronger position. If you’re below the 25th percentile, you’ll need other parts of your application to be exceptionally strong to compensate.

Where to find it:

College Admissions Websites: Most colleges proudly display this data on their “Admissions” or “Prospective Students” sections. Look for “Admitted Student Profile” or “First-Year Class Profile.”

College Board/ACT Websites: Both the College Board and ACT offer search tools that provide this data for thousands of universities.

Reputable College Guides/Search Engines: Websites like U.S. News & World Report, Niche, or College Confidential often compile this information.

Let’s say University X has a mid-50% ACT range of 27-32. This means:

• 25% of admitted students scored a 27 or lower.
• 50% of admitted students scored between 27 and 32.
• 25% of admitted students scored a 32 or higher.

If your score is a 29, you fall squarely within their sweet spot, indicating strong academic alignment. If you scored a 25, you’d be in the bottom quartile, meaning you’d need to present an otherwise stellar application. A 33, on the other hand, puts you in a very strong position. Note that if your dream is an extremely selective school, such as an Ivy League school, they generally have a very high average ACT score. Being within the above the 50% will make you a competitive applicant in the admissions process.

Strategies to Improve Your ACT Score

If your initial ACT score isn’t quite in your dream college’s sweet spot, don’t despair. The ACT is a standardized test, and with strategic preparation, you can absolutely improve your score.

Targeted Practice and Test Prep

This isn’t about rote memorization; it’s about understanding the test itself.

Identify Weaknesses: Use your previous ACT score report and ACT practice test results to pinpoint specific areas (e.g., certain math topics, reading comprehension strategies, grammar rules) where you consistently struggle.

Official ACT Materials: The best resources come directly from the ACT. Utilize their official, full-length practice tests, question banks, and study guides. These provide the most accurate representation of the test’s format, question types, and difficulty.

Focus on Concepts: Don’t just practice problems; understand the underlying concepts. If you’re missing geometry questions, review geometry principles. If reading inference questions are tough, work on those strategies.

Practice Sections: Focusing on just an ACT English, ACT Math, ACT Science, ACT Reading, or ACT Writing section lets you tackle a high volume of questions and target your weakest areas. With a tool like Acely, you can take just one section of an exam at a time to focus on just one.

ACT Prep Courses/Tutors (Optional): If self-study isn’t cutting it, consider a reputable prep course or a private tutor. They can provide structured guidance, personalized feedback, and accountability.

When to Retake the ACT (and When Not To)

Most students take the ACT multiple times, and often, scores do improve.

When to Retake:

Close to Your Goal: If you’re within a few points of your target score, a retake can often push you over the edge.

Identified Weaknesses: If you’ve pinpointed specific areas for improvement and dedicated time to them, a retake is worthwhile. If you decide to retake, be sure to create a study plan to boost the chances of your retake going well.

Subpar First Attempt: If your first score was significantly impacted by nerves, illness, or unfamiliarity with the test, a retake will likely yield a better result.

Colleges Superscore: Many colleges “superscore” the ACT, meaning they take your highest section scores across all your test dates to create a new, higher composite score. If your target colleges superscore, retaking specific sections where you performed poorly can be highly beneficial. Also, your ACT composite score averages the score on each section. The combination of the ACT composite score and superscore could be beneficial in having your score jump out to competitive schools.

Keep in mind that both the science section and writing section are optional, so you do not need to retake them if you already had a good score on the sections on a previous attempt. Also, look into each of your target institutions to see if they recommend taking either section.

In addition, if your GPA in high school is significantly lower than your target school’s average GPA, it may be helpful to try to get a higher score on your ACT to boost your application.

When Not To:

Diminishing Returns: If you’ve taken the test multiple times (3-4+) and your score hasn’t budged, or you’re already very close to a perfect score, additional retakes might not be the best use of your time. Focus on other aspects of your application. There are many test-optional schools, so it may be in your best interest to focus on other parts of your academics rather than ACT prep.

No Further Preparation: If you’re going to retake without any new or targeted preparation, don’t expect a different outcome.

The Journey Ahead: Using Your ACT Score Wisely

Ultimately, your ACT score is a tool, a piece of information that helps colleges understand your academic preparedness. A “good” ACT test score isn’t a badge of honor for its own sake; it’s a strategic asset that can show your college readiness, unlock opportunities at your dream institutions, and potentially secure valuable scholarships. An SAT score may also be beneficial in your college journey, as the SAT may better match your strengths.

Remember, the goal isn’t just to get a high score, but to get the right score for your aspirations. Research your target colleges, understand their expectations, and then build a comprehensive application that showcases your strengths, passions, and unique story. Approach the ACT with confidence, prepare strategically, and integrate it thoughtfully into your broader college application journey. Your admissions decisions will not come down solely to your ACT score, but also take into account your coursework, extracurricular activities, and recommendations. Admissions officers see all your achievements and academic history. The path to your dream college is multifaceted, and your ACT score is simply one of many compelling chapters in your story.