LIVE MASTERCLASS: 7 Strategies For Parents To Help Your Child Earn $100,000 College Scholarships & Ace The New 2024 Digital SAT. Enroll Free!

What Is a Good ACT Score for Top Universities in 2025?

When it comes to standardized test scoring, it can be hard to tell what a good score really is. With the SAT, the numbers are big– the lowest you can get is a 400, after all. But with the ACT, it often feels like you have less wiggle room, since the highest possible score is a 36. Does that mean there’s a bigger difference between the numbers? Is a 36 that much better than a 33 or 34? What does it mean to get something like a 25? 

If the ACT’s score range is confusing, don’t worry– you aren’t alone! Today, let’s take a look at what it means to get a good score on the ACT, and how you can get your score even higher. (And if you need help understanding what your SAT score means, you can read about what a good SAT score is right here.)

34, 35, 36: Where The ACT Scores Come From

Understanding how the ACT is scored can help you interpret your results and identify areas for improvement. In the past, the ACT consisted of four main sections: English, Math, Reading, and Science, each scored on a scale of 1 to 36. However, with the changes to the ACT that are rolling out in 2025, the science portion is becoming optional, which means that like the essay portion, the score will now be reported separately and has been dropped from composite calculation for the updated version of the test.  

These individual section scores are then averaged to calculate your composite score, which is also on a 1 to 36 scale. Each section score is determined by the number of correct answers, known as your raw score. The ACT does not penalize for incorrect answers, so it’s always in your best interest to answer every question, even if you have to guess. Your raw score is then converted to a scaled score using a process called equating, which accounts for slight differences in difficulty between different test versions. This ensures that scores remain consistent across different test dates.From there, your test scores are averaged and rounded to the nearest whole number. Decimals under .5 are rounded down; decimals .5 or more are rounded up. 

The Optional Sections: Science and Writing

The ACT Science and Writing exams are optional; you do not have to take them. However, they can boost your score and show admissions counselors additional strengths, so it may be in your best interest to take them. 

The Writing section, often just referred to as the essay, is not scored on a 1-36 scale. Instead, two readers grade your essay on a scale of 1-6, so your score will be reported as a sum of these scores, ranging from 2-12. 

The Science section, as mentioned above, is scored on the 36 point scale. For students taking the test with mandatory Science, it is included in the score calculations. But by 2026, all students will be given the Science-optional version of the test, and that section will be scored and reported independently, like the Writing section. 

Understanding the National Average, Score Ranges, and Percentiles

One way to assess your ACT performance is by comparing it to the national average. Each year, the ACT releases data on the scores of students across the country. Recent reports show that the average ACT composite score is around 19–20, meaning that a score in this range places you roughly in the middle of all test-takers.

The ACT organization suggests using these score ranges as a way to gauge your performance: 

  • Below Average Score Range: 1-16
  • Average Score Range: 17-24
  • Above Average Score Range: 25-36

Generally, colleges don’t consider students whose scores are under 18-20, and selective schools require much higher scores. Highly selective institutions like top 20 universities and the Ivy League– Harvard, Princeton, Yale, and similar schools– typically admit students with ACT scores between 32–36. These institutions receive thousands of applications from students with strong academic backgrounds, so a high ACT score is often necessary to stand out.

Competitive public and private schools also require high scores, usually in the 28-32 range. While these universities are selective, students with strong extracurriculars, essays, and recommendations may gain admission with slightly lower scores. Schools with a more holistic approach to admissions and an academically broad applicant pool may accept scores in the 22-27 range, as well as large state universities that can support bigger undergraduate cohorts. Before setting your goal score, check the middle 50% ACT range for the schools you’re interested in. This information is usually available on college admissions websites. Scoring within or above that range improves your chances of acceptance.

Another important element of understanding your scores is understanding your percentile rank. 

This lets you know how well you performed compared to other test-takers. For example, if your percentile rank is 75th, that means you scored higher than 75% of students, while 25% scored higher than you. Percentiles are useful because they provide context beyond just the raw numbers. A composite score of 29, for example, might seem strong on its own, but its competitiveness depends on where it falls within national percentiles. Here’s what the national percentile ranks look like using the 2024 test data

  • 50th percentile (around 19–20): Right at the national average, meaning you scored better than half of all test-takers.
  • 75th percentile (around 23–24):  Higher than most students, making you a solid applicant for many universities.
  • 90th percentile (around 28-29): A strong score that puts you among the top test-takers, competitive for many selective schools. Many students find this to be a good goal range, since it puts them in the top 10% of all ACT takers.
  • 99th percentile (34–36): Among the highest-scoring students in the country, giving you a strong chance at the most elite institutions.

By looking at percentile rankings, you can get a better sense of how competitive your score is for the schools on your list. For instance, a score of 21 might be sufficient for some public universities, while a 30+ is necessary for schools with lower acceptance rates.

While your ACT score is an important factor in college admissions, it’s just one piece of the puzzle. Many colleges take a holistic approach, considering your GPA, extracurricular activities, essays, and letters of recommendation alongside your test scores. Understanding national averages and percentiles can help you set realistic score goals, but focusing on the full application will give you the best chance of success. 

Reaching Your Goals with Test Prep

So why all the focus on knowing what a good score is? Simply put, it gives you something to reach for. If you want to go to MIT, you need to show the admissions committee that you deserve it. A great ACT score goes a long way towards showing off your abilities to perform well under pressure and solve problems. I believe that test-taking is a skill that anyone can learn, and when you take the time to develop this skill, you become more able to present yourself as a serious scholastic candidate. If you’re planning on taking the ACT, don’t wait to get started with your preparations! Taking a prep class with a 99th percentile ACT scorer means that you’ll get to learn the ACT strategies and skills that are guaranteed to boost your score. Check out our ACT prep course offerings today and get ready to master this standardized test!

Dr. Shaan Patel MD MBA

Written by Dr. Shaan Patel MD MBA

Prep Expert Founder & CEO

Shark Tank Winner, Perfect SAT Scorer, Dermatologist, & #1 Bestselling Author
More from Dr. Shaan Patel MD MBA