Introduction
The ACT (American College Testing) is an entrance exam that is widely accepted by colleges and universities in the United States. The exam is designed to measure college readiness in four core areas: English, Mathematics, Reading, and Science.
Each section of the ACT is scored on a scale of 1 to 36, with higher scores indicating better performance. The composite score, which is the average of the four section scores, is also reported on a scale of 1 to 36.
Importance of the ACT Score
The ACT score is an important factor in the college admissions process. It is used by colleges and universities to evaluate an applicant’s academic readiness and to make decisions about admission and scholarship awards.
According to the ACT, the average composite score for the high school class of 2022 was 20.3. This means that half of all high school graduates scored below 20.3 on the ACT.
ACT Score by Percentile
The following table shows the ACT score by percentile for the high school class of 2022:
| Percentile | Composite Score |
|---|---|
| 99th | 36 |
| 98th | 35 |
| 97th | 34 |
| 96th | 33 |
| 95th | 32 |
| 94th | 31 |
| 93rd | 30 |
| 92nd | 29 |
| 91st | 28 |
| 90th | 27 |
| 89th | 26 |
| 88th | 25 |
| 87th | 24 |
| 86th | 23 |
| 85th | 22 |
| 84th | 21 |
| 83rd | 20 |
| 82nd | 19 |
| 81st | 18 |
| 80th | 17 |
| 79th | 16 |
| 78th | 15 |
| 77th | 14 |
| 76th | 13 |
| 75th | 12 |
| 74th | 11 |
| 73rd | 10 |
| 72nd | 9 |
| 71st | 8 |
| 70th | 7 |
| 69th | 6 |
| 68th | 5 |
| 67th | 4 |
| 66th | 3 |
| 65th | 2 |
| 64th | 1 |
Factors That Affect the ACT Score
There are a number of factors that can affect the ACT score, including:
- Student’s academic ability: Students who have strong academic skills are more likely to score well on the ACT.
- Test preparation: Students who prepare for the ACT are more likely to score well on the exam.
- Test-taking skills: Students who have good test-taking skills are more likely to score well on the ACT.
- Test anxiety: Students who experience test anxiety are less likely to score well on the ACT.
Tips for Improving the ACT Score
There are a number of things that students can do to improve their ACT score, including:
- Start preparing early: The sooner students start preparing for the ACT, the more time they will have to develop the skills and knowledge needed to do well on the exam.
- Take a practice test: Practice tests are a great way to get a sense of what the ACT is like and to identify areas where students need to improve.
- Focus on the basics: Students should make sure they have a strong understanding of the basic concepts that are covered on the ACT.
- Develop good test-taking skills: Students should practice taking timed tests and learn how to manage their time effectively.
- Reduce test anxiety: Students should find ways to reduce their test anxiety, such as by practicing relaxation techniques or talking to a counselor.
Conclusion
The ACT score is an important factor in the college admissions process. Students who score well on the ACT have a better chance of getting into the college of their choice and receiving scholarship money. There are a number of things that students can do to improve their ACT score, including starting preparing early, taking a practice test, focusing on the basics, developing good test-taking skills, and reducing test anxiety.
Helpful Resources
Additional Information
In addition to the four core sections, the ACT also offers an optional writing test. The writing test is scored on a scale of 1 to 12, with higher scores indicating better writing skills.
The ACT composite score is calculated by averaging the four section scores. The writing score is not included in the composite score.
The ACT is offered seven times per year at testing centers throughout the United States. The test is also offered internationally.
Students can register for the ACT online or by mail. The test fee is $60.
The ACT results are typically available online within two weeks of the test date.