Achieving a Top Score on the ACT: A Comprehensive Guide

The ACT (originally an abbreviation of American College Testing) is a standardized test widely used for college admissions in the United States. It assesses high school students' general educational development and their ability to complete college-level work. The ACT includes sections for English, Math, Reading, and Science, with an optional Writing section. Understanding how the ACT is scored and what constitutes a good score is crucial for students aiming for success. This article explores the intricacies of ACT scoring, provides insights into what makes a score competitive, and offers guidance on how to interpret your results.

ACT vs. SAT: Key Differences

The ACT and SAT are both standardized tests used by colleges and universities to evaluate applicants. While both tests assess similar skills, there are key differences in their structure, content, and scoring.

Sections: The ACT consists of four sections: English, Math, Reading, and Science, with an optional Writing section. The SAT, on the other hand, consists of Reading, Writing & Language, and Math, with an optional essay section (though most colleges no longer require it).
Scoring: The SAT is scored on a scale of 400-1600, while the ACT is scored on a scale of 1-36. Each section of the ACT is scored out of 36, and the composite score is the average of these four sections.
Question Style and Timing: The SAT gives students a bit more time per question, while the ACT tends to move faster but features more straightforward questions. Many students who like science and data interpretation prefer the ACT, while others who enjoy reading and logic-based reasoning gravitate toward the SAT.

Understanding ACT Scoring

Your ACT scores are based on the number of questions you answer correctly. There is no penalty for incorrect answers, so students should attempt to answer every question, even if unsure. The ACT is scored on a scale of 1 to 36 for each section. The composite score is the average of the four sections (English, Math, Reading, and Science), rounded to the nearest whole number. Fractions of 0.5 or higher are rounded up, and fractions less than 0.5 are rounded down. The optional writing section is scored separately on a scale of 2-12 and does not affect the composite score.

Each reporting category includes the total number of questions in that category, the total number of questions in that category you answered correctly, and the percentage of questions correct.

What is a Perfect ACT Score?

A perfect ACT score is 36. To achieve this, a student must answer nearly every question correctly in all four required sections. The exact conversion between raw and scaled scores depends on the test date and the performance of other students who took the test on that date. This means that the number of questions you can miss and still get a perfect 36 will vary.

Read also: Comprehensive ACT Guide

While a perfect ACT score is impressive, it is not necessarily required for admission to top colleges and universities. Many selective schools have average ACT scores in the mid-to-high 20s or low 30s. Other factors, such as extracurricular activities, essays, and recommendations, also significantly affect the admissions process. However, a high ACT score can be a valuable asset in the college admissions process and may help students qualify for merit-based scholarships and other forms of financial aid.

How Many People Get a 36 on the ACT?

Getting a perfect ACT score is a rare feat. In 2020, only 5,579 out of over 1.6 million test-takers scored a full 36, which is about 0.33%.

What's Considered a Good ACT Score?

A "good" ACT score is subjective and depends on your individual goals and the colleges you are interested in. A good ACT score isn’t one magic number. It’s a score that lands in (or above) the middle 50% range for the colleges you want. Most importantly, a “good” ACT score is one that gets you into the institution you want to go to, into the program you want to join, and helps you get some extra financial aid if you need it. The more competitive a college is, the higher the bar will be for accepted ACT scores. Some of the most prestigious schools in the nation have student bodies with average ACT scores above 30. On the other hand, less competitive schools usually admit students with lower scores.

ACT Score Ranges:

1-20 (Low/Below Average): Scores in this range may limit your options and require significant improvement for admission to competitive colleges.
21-23 (Average/Above Average): This range typically includes the national average and extends slightly above it.
24-30 (Good/Competitive): Scores in this range make you a competitive applicant for many colleges and universities.
31-36 (Excellent/Highly Competitive): Scores in this range place a student among the top performers nationally.

ACT Middle 50% Test Scores for Top Schools:

The "middle 50%" is a term that means half the admitted students scored in that range (25% of students scored below that range and 25% scored above).

Here are the Middle 50% ACT Scores for Top Schools of the class of 2025:

Read also: Your ACT Score Explained

Brown University: 33-35
Columbia University: 34-35
Cornell University: 33-35
Duke University*: 34-35 (Class of 2024)
Johns Hopkins University: 34-35
New York University**: 31-35 (Graduating class not specified)
Northwestern University*: 33-35 (Class of 2024)
Princeton University: 32-35
Stanford University: 32-35
University of Pennsylvania: 35-36

Understanding ACT Score Percentiles

ACT score percentiles are determined by comparing your score to the scores of a large, representative sample of students who have taken the test over a recent three-year period. If you receive a composite score of 24, for example, and it falls in the 74th percentile, it means that you scored equal to or better than 74% of the students in that group. Percentiles are a relative measure. A 30 composite might be in the 94th percentile, while a 30 in the reading section might be in the 89th percentile.

Why are Percentiles Important?

Contextualizes your performance: Your raw score (e.g., a 25) doesn’t tell you how well you did compared to others. The percentile gives that vital comparative information.
Informs your college admissions strategy: If your score is below the 25th percentile for a particular college, it means a large percentage of admitted students scored higher than you.
Helps you set realistic goals: Understanding percentiles can help you set achievable goals for improvement.
Helps you identify strengths and weaknesses (subscores): While colleges primarily focus on the composite score, your score report also includes percentiles for each section.

How to Calculate Your ACT Score

The ACT is divided into four multiple-choice subject tests: English, mathematics, and reading, with an optional science section. Subject test scores, including the optional science section, range from 1 to 36; all scores are integers. The English, mathematics, and reading tests also have subscores ranging from 1 to 18 (the subject score is not the sum of the subscores). In addition, students taking the optional writing test receive a writing score ranging from 2 to 12 (this is a change from the previous 1-36 score range); the optional science and writing scores do not affect the composite score.

Raw Score Calculation:

For each of the multiple-choice sections, your raw score is simply the total number of questions you answered correctly. There is no penalty for incorrect answers. Each question answered correctly is worth one raw point, and there is no penalty for marking incorrect answers on the multiple-choice parts of the test; a student can answer all questions without a decrease in their score due to incorrect answers.

Composite Score Calculation:

Your composite score is the overall ACT score and is the average of your scaled section scores. The average is rounded to the nearest whole number: Fractions of 0.5 or higher are rounded up, and fractions less than 0.5 are rounded down.

ACT Sections: What They Measure

The ACT assesses skills and knowledge in four main areas:

Read also: Strategies for SAT Success

English: Measures your understanding of standard written English and rhetorical skills and assesses your ability to effectively convey ideas and information. You’ll read several prose passages with certain words or phrases underlined or highlighted.
Math: Measures mathematical reasoning, problem-solving skills, and knowledge of concepts typically learned up to the beginning of pre-calculus. The format consists of all multiple-choice questions that range in difficulty.
Reading: Measures your reading comprehension skills, including the ability to understand main ideas, locate and interpret details, draw inferences, understand cause-effect relationships, and analyze an author’s purpose and style.
Optional Science Test: Measures your ability to interpret, analyze, evaluate, and reason with scientific information presented in various formats, not your recall of specific scientific facts (though basic science knowledge can sometimes be helpful). While the topics can be from biology, chemistry, Earth/space sciences, and physics, the test primarily assesses scientific reasoning skills.
Optional Writing Test: Measures your ability to analyze an issue, develop a perspective, and effectively communicate your ideas in an essay. It assesses argumentative writing skills. You’ll be given a prompt that presents a complex issue and three different perspectives on it. Your task is to analyze these perspectives, articulate your own position, and support it with logical reasoning and examples.

How to Get a Perfect ACT Score: Advice From Perfect Scorers

Less than 0.5% of test-takers earn a perfect ACT score each year. Getting a perfect ACT score is a pretty rare feat. Here are five essential tips from students who scored a perfect 36:

Change Your Mindset: Try not to approach the ACT feeling worried about how your performance will impact your chances of getting into college. And don’t consider it a measure of your intelligence, either. Approach the test like a game, learning to identify and overcome the test makers' tricks.
Take Practice Tests and Use Official Study Materials: Exposure to test material is a huge factor. The difference between a 35 and a 36 can come down to one question, so it’s important to expose yourself to as many questions as possible and learn from any mistakes made so you don’t repeat them.”
Mimic Actual Testing Conditions: The time allotment for the ACT can feel pretty intense. Practicing the test timed will help you feel comfortable with the time pressure on test day. Take a practice test under testing conditions and then go through the questions you missed. Assess what questions you think you could quickly learn how to do correctly and which ones you can’t - knowing which questions to skip and guess on can save time to study and answer more manageable questions.”
Analyze the Questions You Miss: Perfect ACT scorers take their studying to the next level by really analyzing the questions they miss on practice tests. Reviewing your mistakes carefully will help you continue to improve. For every question you got wrong, write a paragraph detailing what you got wrong, how to prove the correct answer, and a tip for next time. Use these “mistake journals” to notice trends and improvements. This can help you focus your study time on weaker subject matter.
Skip the Last-Minute Prep: Cramming the night before and morning of your ACT isn’t a strong strategy. Many agree that retaining information last minute is unlikely and it’s better not to burn out so close to the test. Focus on material you understand but may have made careless errors on previously.” Last-minute prep should involve energizing yourself for a long test day. Get a good night’s rest, stay hydrated, and have a filling breakfast.

Strategies for ACT Score Improvement

Effective ACT preparation goes beyond simply memorizing facts. It involves a combination of content review, strategic practice, and test-taking skills.

Start Early and Create a Personalized Study Plan: Begin by taking a full-length, official ACT practice test under timed conditions. This identifies your starting score and pinpoints your strongest and weakest areas across all sections. Based on your baseline and research into your target colleges’ average scores, set a realistic target score.
Utilize Official ACT Prep Materials.
Focus on Content Review:
- English: Review fundamental grammar, punctuation, sentence structure, rhetoric, and organization rules.
- Math: Systematically review algebra, geometry, and trigonometry concepts. Memorize key formulas. Practice specific problem types.
- Reading: Focus on active reading techniques to identify main ideas, author’s purpose, tone, and specific details.
- Science: Understand that this section primarily tests data interpretation, graph analysis, and scientific reasoning, not advanced scientific knowledge.
Practice Time Management: The ACT is a fast-paced test. During practice, strictly adhere to time limits for each section. Learn how to pace and guess strategically.
Analyze Mistakes Thoroughly: For every question you get wrong (or even guessed on), don’t just look at the correct answer. Understand why you made the mistake and how to avoid it in the future.
Consider Tutoring: A qualified tutor can provide personalized instruction and guidance.
Take Multiple Practice Tests: Aim for at least 3-5 full-length practice tests before the actual exam.
Prioritize Well-being: Get adequate sleep, eat healthy, and manage stress in the weeks leading up to the test. A clear mind performs better.

Retaking the ACT

Many students improve their scores on a second attempt, but we recommend no more than two retakes. If you decide to retake the ACT, analyze your mistakes thoroughly. Meticulously review every question you got wrong, and those you guessed on or found difficult. Identify patterns, such as content gaps, careless errors, or time management issues. Take ACT practice tests to work on pacing. If a question is taking too long, mark it and move on. You can come back to it once you’re at the end of the section. The best way to improve your score is to pay attention and excel in your regular high school courses.

The Importance of ACT Scores in College Admissions

Colleges use ACT scores as one indicator of a student’s readiness for college-level coursework and their likelihood of success in a demanding academic environment. While a strong ACT score does not offset a low GPA entirely, it does suggest that the student has the academic potential even if their grades don’t fully reflect it. High schools across the country vary greatly in their curricula, grading standards, and academic rigor. An A at one school might represent a different level of achievement than an A at another. Additionally, a high ACT score can validate a strong GPA, indicating that the student excels academically in a rigorous environment.

Most competitive colleges employ a holistic review process. This means that while ACT scores are important, they are rarely the sole factor in admissions decisions. Other factors, such as GPA, extracurricular activities, essays, letters of recommendation, and demonstrated interest, are also considered.

ACT Scores and Scholarships

Many colleges and universities use ACT scores as a primary criterion for awarding merit-based scholarships. Beyond admissions, ACT scores can be used to determine appropriate course placement for admitted students.

You can submit your ACT score for merit scholarships, which are awarded based on your achievements.

Types of Scholarships:

Institutional (college-specific): These scholarships are often part of a college’s recruitment strategy.
State-sponsored: Many states have programs that offer scholarships to their residents based on academic achievement, including ACT scores.
National Merit Scholarships: While primarily based on the PSAT/NMSQT, becoming a National Merit Semifinalist or Finalist often requires a qualifying score on the PSAT and then a strong confirming SAT or ACT score.
Private organization scholarships: Numerous foundations, corporations, non-profits, and community organizations offer scholarships. Many of these include ACT scores as part of their eligibility criteria.

Colleges and organizations may have different processes for determining scholarship eligibility based on ACT scores. In general, a higher score - often in combination with a strong GPA and/or class rank - will provide more scholarship opportunities. At some colleges, you may be automatically considered for scholarships upon admission if you meet the test score and GPA criteria. Some scholarships require a minimum composite ACT score (and often a minimum GPA) that you must achieve to even be considered or to automatically receive a specific award amount. Some scholarships are tiered systems, meaning that the scholarship amount corresponds to your ACT score and GPA. For the most prestigious or largest scholarships (e.g., full-ride competitive scholarships), the process may be like a holistic review for admission.

ACT Test Dates and Registration

The ACT is offered seven times a year in the United States and its territories, Puerto Rico, and Canada: in September, October, December, February, April, June, and July. Students with verifiable disabilities, including physical and learning disabilities, are eligible to take the test with accommodations.

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