A good ACT score will ensure you are selected for the college of your dreams. You show that you are academically prepared, and it separates you from all other applicants. A perfect score of 36 makes a good ACT score, which can significantly enhance your chance of getting into college and avail scholarship and honor programs. Whether you are targeting competitive schools or seeking the right fit at other universities, knowing what constitutes a "good" ACT score will help shape your college application strategy and enhance your chances.

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Did You Know Facts About Good ACT Score? 

• Perfect Score: A perfect score in the ACT is 36. That score, alone, could open doors into highly competitive schools.
• Average ACT Score: For 2024, the average ACT composite score is 19.4; this is typical of the performance of test-takers.
• High ACT Scores Open Doors: A good ACT score can qualify you for scholarships, honors programs, and give you an edge in the admissions process.
• In 2024, nearly 1.37 million (1,374,791) students took the ACT, cementing its place as one of the most popular college entrance exams other than SAT, across the United States.
• Competitive Benchmarks: A score of 20-24 is good for many colleges, while a score above 30 is very competitive for the "top tier".

What is a Good ACT Score?

Getting good ACT Scores significantly raises your chances of getting into very selective colleges and universities. Highly competitive schools need students who excel academically, and a good score places you above the regular pool of applicants. If you perform above the national average, you show that you can handle advanced studies and therefore increase your chances of getting an acceptance letter from a prestigious school. To give you an idea of what makes for a competitive score, here is a sample list of average ACT scores for a handful of selective colleges. These will help you in setting realistic goals and also build an idea of where your target score lies to give a boost to your college application process.

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What is the Average ACT Score?

The ACT is graded on a scale of 1 to 36. It has four ACT sections: English, Math, Reading, and Science. Each section is scored out of 36 points. Your composite ACT score is the average of your four section scores. The following are the national average scores for each section for the high school classes of 2024. 

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Below Average ACT Scores

Most four-year colleges consider an ACT score less than a 15 as low, and it may be even tougher to get in with such a score. However, this weak score of yours in the ACT can be compensated by having high SAT scores in addition to an excellent GPA, or having outstanding extracurriculars and a fantastic college application. Even with a low score, if you get admitted, the school could put you into remedial classes to firm up your academic background before officially starting your degree program. Concentrate your efforts on other strong points of your application.

Perfect ACT Score Opens More Doors

Even though you might not have scored the perfect 36, it is always possible to improve your score on the ACT and get a perfect ACT score. A higher score may qualify you for a college merit scholarship, and for that reason, it might be worth the effort. Even if your dream college is test-optional, taking the ACT may provide you with a lot of scholarship opportunities you might not want to pass up. Take the test again to get a Good ACT Score and boost your admission chances along with improving financial aid prospects.

How to Get Good ACT Score

Getting a good ACT score requires certain ways of preparation, strategy, and test-taking skills. To help you achieve the highest score possible in the test, here are some steps that you may want to follow:

Understand the Test Format

The ACT includes English, Math, Reading, Science, and an optional Writing section. Get acquainted with ACT Syllabus to understand all the topics and subtopics. Each section is timed, so practice managing your time effectively. Understanding the format will help get a Good ACT Score. 

Set a Target Score

Research the average ACT score requirements of the colleges you're interested in. The aim is to score an average of their admitted scores or even better. Setting a target for yourself will keep you focused. 

Create a Study Plan

To get Good ACT Scores start studying many months prior to your test date. Divide the plan into small portions and make a point of what you shall achieve every week. Continued practice and using ACT Prep Books are very essential for any improvement.

Use Official Study Materials

The practice tests and sample questions can be found at ACT.org, along with other official products-which include the ACT Official Guide and the ACT Test Prep-for realistic and extensive practice.

Practice Tests

Practice the full-length tests under exam conditions, familiarize yourself with the timing and pressure of the ACT. Go over your mistakes after every test, so you learn where to improve for Good ACT Scores .

Focus on Weak Areas

Identify your areas of weaknesses or question types where you are performing poorly. Target such areas with focused practice sessions. Using practice questions and reviewing strategies designed to help improve on specific weak spots will enhance overall scores.

Test Taking Skills Enhancement

Take the practice tests to get an idea of how much time each section will take you. Learn how to pace yourself. Take some time to learn strategies for answering questions, such as eliminating really wrong answers.

Consider Test Prep Courses

If you want more systematic guidance, you might consider signing up for an ACT Tutoring Courses or finding a private tutor. These resources can provide personal attention, tested strategies, and focused practice to help improve your score effectively.

Good ACT Scores Aligned with Your Goals

A good ACT score is one that places you within the average range for the colleges you're trying to get into. Look at the score ranges and ACT Superscore Policy of the schools that you want to attend to see how competitive of a score you got. A score within that range and above increases your chances of acceptance; this would, therefore, serve as your yardstick for setting your target ACT score.

Conclusion

A good ACT score can really significantly improve your college admissions prospects and open up doors to scholarship opportunities. What constitutes a "good" score depends on all the institutions to which you are applying, so knowing the ranges for those schools will help in understanding where you stand and setting realistic goals. We will prepare for taking this test by studying the format of the test, by setting a target score, formulating an overall study plan, and practicing with sample questions and official material. In that regard, direct your studying toward areas where you feel weakest and ask yourself whether you would need additional help by way of a prep course or tutor to get you to your best performance capability. Remember, persistence and strategic preparation are the keys to achieving a high score and reaching your college admission goals.