The ACT (American College Testing) is a standardized test that is used for college admissions in the United States. It is a multiple-choice test that covers four subject areas: English, mathematics, reading, and science. The ACT is scored on a scale of 1 to 36, with 36 being the highest possible score.
The average ACT score for the 2022 graduating class was 20.6. This means that a score of 20 is below average. However, a score of 20 is still good enough to get into many colleges and universities.
What is a Good ACT Score?
There is no one definitive answer to the question of what is a good ACT score. The answer depends on a number of factors, including your college and major aspirations. However, a score of 20 is generally considered to be a good score.
Here is a breakdown of ACT scores and their corresponding percentiles:
| ACT Score | Percentile |
|---|---|
| 36 | 99th |
| 35 | 98th |
| 34 | 97th |
| 33 | 96th |
| 32 | 95th |
| 31 | 94th |
| 30 | 93rd |
| 29 | 92nd |
| 28 | 91st |
| 27 | 90th |
| 26 | 89th |
| 25 | 88th |
| 24 | 87th |
| 23 | 86th |
| 22 | 85th |
| 21 | 84th |
| 20 | 83rd |
| 19 | 82nd |
| 18 | 81st |
| 17 | 80th |
| 16 | 79th |
| 15 | 78th |
As you can see, a score of 20 is in the 83rd percentile. This means that you scored higher than 83% of all test takers.
What Can You Do with a 20 ACT Score?
A score of 20 is good enough to get into many colleges and universities. However, it is important to keep in mind that the average ACT score for college-bound students is 24. This means that you may need to score higher than 20 to be competitive for admission to some colleges.
If you are not happy with your ACT score, you can retake the test. The ACT can be taken up to 12 times, so you have plenty of opportunities to improve your score.
How Can You Improve Your ACT Score?
There are a number of things you can do to improve your ACT score. Here are a few tips:
- Take a practice test. This will help you get familiar with the format of the test and identify areas where you need to improve.
- Study the material. The ACT covers a wide range of topics, so it is important to make sure that you are familiar with all of the material.
- Get help from a tutor. A tutor can help you identify your strengths and weaknesses and develop a study plan.
- Take breaks. It is important to take breaks while you are studying. This will help you stay focused and avoid burnout.
Conclusion
A score of 20 is a good ACT score. It is good enough to get into many colleges and universities. However, it is important to keep in mind that the average ACT score for college-bound students is 24. This means that you may need to score higher than 20 to be competitive for admission to some colleges.
If you are not happy with your ACT score, you can retake the test. The ACT can be taken up to 12 times, so you have plenty of opportunities to improve your score.
