Does the ACT Score Still Matter for College Admissions?

For many years, the ACT (American College Testing) has been a standard part of the college application process. However, with the rise of test-optional policies, many students and parents are left wondering: Does the ACT score still matter for college admissions? The answer, while complex, is generally yes, though its importance varies depending on the school and the applicant.

The Continued Relevance of ACT Scores

Even with a growing number of colleges adopting a test-optional approach, students still have the choice to include their ACT scores as a factor in college admission or merit-based scholarships. A good ACT score can be a game-changer for your college admissions.

A recent academic study conducted at Brown University shows that standardized test scores, like the ACT, predict a student’s potential for academic success in college more accurately than their GPA. That’s why some colleges are reinstating standardized testing as an admission requirement for the 2024-2025 cycle.

The ACT and SAT represent an attempt to measure students' skills, knowledge, and potential on the same playing field. If this describes you as a student, then your SAT or ACT scores matter a great deal.

Factors Influencing the Importance of ACT Scores

The importance of a good ACT score varies depending on the college and their admissions policies.

Read also: UCF Application Strategies

Test-Mandatory vs. Test-Optional Policies

A test-mandatory college will evaluate your ACT test scores; however, at test-optional schools, students typically have the option to indicate whether or not they wish for their standardized test scores to be considered as part of their admissions application. For highly selective test-mandatory or test-optional colleges, a high ACT score could positively contribute to a student’s chances of acceptance.

The 2024-2025 admissions policies of most top 25 schools and all Ivy Leagues have shifted to either test-optional or test-flexible (it is mandatory to submit at least one score: SAT, ACT, AP, or IB). This gives applicants the choice of whether or not to submit their ACT scores with their application. Even if a college does not make it mandatory to send your ACT scores when you apply, many schools provide the option for students to submit their ACT scores to enhance their admissions applications. Schools may also review your ACT scores when awarding merit-based scholarships.

Holistic Review

It is essential to understand that while ACT scores can be a factor in admissions decisions, they are just one of many considerations. Most colleges have transitioned to a more holistic approach, by considering the applicant's entire profile, including grades, extracurricular activities, essays, and letters of recommendation, in addition to test scores.

Students with lower ACT scores can boost their chances of acceptance by highlighting their strengths in other areas, such as community service or work experience. Ultimately, the weight of ACT scores depends on the institution’s admissions policies and the student’s career interests.

Course Placement

Colleges may sometimes consider ACT scores, along with other factors when making decisions about course placement. If you have a lower ACT score, you could be placed in a remedial course to ensure you have the skills you need to succeed in standard collegiate coursework.

Understanding ACT Scores

The composite score on the ACT ranges from 1 to 36. About 1.4 million high school seniors took the ACT in 2024. The national average composite score was 19.4 for the class of 2024, per the most recent data from the ACT organization, compared to 19.5 the previous year.

What is a "Good" ACT Score?

Since admission standards vary by college, a good ACT score for one school may be too low for another. A good ACT score isn't merely a number, it's one that empowers a student to gain admission to a college that aligns with their academic potential, personal ambitions and overall fit. The mistake families make is chasing perfection instead of strategy. Admissions isn’t about scoring the highest, it’s about knowing what matters for your goals and making sure each part of the application supports them.

For top-tier universities, a good ACT score could mean a 34 or higher, while a 30 might be the right score if it fits with the median at the schools on your college list. There’s no magic number. A good ACT score is one that reinforces your academic profile and clears the bar at your target schools.

How Colleges Use ACT Scores: Ranges and Selectivity

Students can use the 50th percentile ACT score of a college’s most recent freshman class as a benchmark. ACT score ranges vary by school, with each college sharing a mid-50% range, where half of admitted students scored within the range, 25% scored lower, and 25% scored higher.

For practical purposes, students aiming to be competitive should strive to score above the midpoint of this mid-50% range or even higher. Scoring above it is a positive sign, but scoring under it may mean the school is a reach, experts say.

ACT Scores by School Type: What’s Considered Competitive

ACT score expectations vary for Ivy League, highly selective, selective and less-selective schools. If a student is aiming for admission to an Ivy League university, a score of 35 or higher would be considered good enough to support a competitive application. For a student aspiring to attend a college such as Florida Gulf Coast University, a good ACT score might range between 21 and 26. Scores between 33 and 36 can typically be seen at the most competitive schools. But that number alone won’t get you in, and a lower score won’t automatically keep you out. The key is whether the score complements the rest of the application.

For STEM applicants, math and science subscores often matter just as much as the composite. Some departments may have internal thresholds that aren't publicly listed. Above all, colleges seek motivated, capable students who demonstrate focus and the potential to succeed in a rigorous academic environment. A 34 on its own doesn’t mean much if the rest of the application lacks direction or depth.

Deciding Whether to Submit Your ACT Score

Many colleges are test-optional, but submitting a score could help you stand out by giving the admissions committee another way to evaluate you. Test-optional doesn’t mean test-irrelevant. Strong ACT scores still move the needle. This can be especially true at highly selective schools, for competitive majors or for students coming from schools where the context for their GPA is more difficult to evaluate. What’s changed is this: the bar to submit is higher. If you’re going to send scores, they need to help you.

Consistently, students with scores ranging from 34 to 36 outperform their test-optional peers in competitive pools. In today’s landscape, a great score is still a strategic advantage. It just needs to be used wisely. Be strategic when deciding whether to submit ACT scores, experts advise. If your score is above the median, it’s usually a good idea to send it. If it’s below, it really depends on how strong the rest of your application is. One of the most common mistakes is submitting a borderline score that undercuts an otherwise strong academic profile. Test-optional gives students more flexibility, but it also demands better judgment.

By contrast, test-blind schools don’t look at scores at all - even for scholarships, experts say. In those cases, even the best ACT score won't help.

Alternatives to the ACT

One notable exception is Hampshire College in Massachusetts. They will simply reject any test scores that are sent their way. Their policy states, "Unlike 'test-optional' institutions, we will not consider SAT/ACT scores regardless of the score. Another approach that schools have adopted is to be test flexible. This means you can send the SAT or ACT, but there are other options as well.

If you're looking to pursue studio art, photography, dancing, acting, music, or another field in the arts, then you may not have to take the SAT or ACT. Juilliard, one of the world's leading music schools and most prestigious arts programs, does not require the SAT or ACT. As far as I know, no community colleges require SAT or ACT scores. They usually have open enrollment and have students take a placement test in math and English to determine their level in these classes. Community colleges offer two-year Associate's degrees in a huge number of programs. Some students go into community college with a "2 + 2" plan, meaning they'll complete two years at community college and then transfer to a four year school. There are several reasons why students might choose this plan. Two major ones are saving money or improving their academic record. For students who are not satisfied with their high school grades, they could achieve higher grades in community college and then have more options for four year schools. If you've already been at a community college for two years, you usually do not have to take the SAT or ACT or send your scores in order to transfer.

Students who are primarily looking for professional training may be interested in technical or trade schools. As with all college applications, research your school to find out its specific admission requirements.

SAT vs. ACT: Which Test to Choose?

If you’re trying to decide whether to take the SAT or ACT, you’re not alone. Both test what you’re learning in school, the same knowledge and skills needed to succeed in college and career.

The SAT Advantage

Free, World-Class Practice: The SAT offers free, world-class practice. College Board has also expanded its partnership with Khan Academy®-a not-for-profit-to offer Official SAT Prep, where you can further develop the knowledge and skills that are tested on the SAT.
Familiarity: By the time you take the SAT in your junior year, you’re likely to be familiar with everything that’s covered on the test. If you took the PSAT/NMSQT, you’re also familiar with the SAT format. While the format of the ACT may vary depending on where or when you take it, the SAT format-a Reading and Writing section and a Math section-is consistent, and you’ll take it on the familiar Bluebook testing application.
Timing: The SAT is shorter, with more time per question. The SAT is 2 hours and 14 minutes. The SAT gives you between 41% and 44% more time per question than the ACT-depending on whether or not you take the Science section-so you can show what you know, not how fast you are.
Reading Passages: The SAT has shorter reading passages. The reading passages on the SAT are typically short, and each has one question. The reading passages on the ACT are always long, and each has 9 questions.
Math Support: The math section on the SAT gives you a built-in graphing calculator plus all necessary formulas. ACT encourages students to bring their own calculator, but it restricts which calculators may be used.
Digital Format: The SAT is digital everywhere. You can take the digital SAT on the device you’re most familiar with-your own laptop, tablet, or school-issued Chromebook. When taking the ACT on a weekend, it’s still paper and pencil in most places. If you do take the ACT digitally on the weekend, you’ll be assigned a device you may not be familiar with.
No College Preference: You may have heard that colleges in some states prefer the SAT while others favor the ACT, but this isn’t true. Colleges don’t have a preference. All colleges that accept or require an admission test accept the SAT.
Science Reasoning: The SAT has no separate science section; it integrates science reasoning into reading passages and math problems. The ACT has a separate science section. Starting in spring 2025, that section will be “optional,” but it’s unclear how that will impact the total ACT score or how colleges will interpret it.

ACT Considerations

According to recent announcements, the ACT will have 12 different formats by fall 2025. ACT announced their changes as enhancements that offer students flexibility and choice-online or paper, with or without science, with or without writing. Choice may sound appealing, but it might be hard to know which version to choose, which version will be preferred by which colleges, and which version will be available in your area. It may also be difficult to practice and prepare for an exam that has so many variations. Students who may have previously preferred the ACT because science was one of their particular areas of strength and the science section counted toward the composite score will now be able to choose an optional science test to show what they know.

SAT vs. ACT: A Comparison at a Glance

Feature	SAT	ACT*
Format	Digital everywhere for everyone (paper for students with related accommodations).	National testing is paper in most places. The online version isn’t widely available.
Timing	98 questions/134 minutes (1 minute 22 seconds per question-41% more time per question than the ACT with Science, and 44% more time per question than the ACT without Science).	131 questions/125 minutes (57 seconds per question) without optional Science section. 171 questions/165 minutes (58 seconds per question) with optional Science section.
Reading Passages	Always short, one question each.	Always long, 9 questions each.
Separate Science Section	No (science reasoning is integrated across test sections).	The Science section is optional.
Built-in Math Reference Sheet	Yes	No
Built-in Graphing Calculator	Yes	Sometimes but not always.
Registration Fee	$68	ACT: $68 Writing Add-On Fee: $25 Science Add-On Fee: $4
Additional Score Reports	$14 for each recipient, including your choice of scores	$20 for each recipient and each score.
Official Practice	FREE in partnership with Khan Academy®-a not-for-profit. 7 free digital SAT practice tests directly in our testing app, Bluebook.	$159- $849 in partnership with Kaplan-a for-profit. $299−$4,140 in partnership with Revolution Prep-a for-profit. 1 free downloadable practice test. 1 free timed web-based practice test, 1 free untimed web-based practice test.

*According to recent announcements, the ACT will have 12 different formats by fall 2025. ACT announced their changes as enhancements that offer students flexibility and choice-online or paper, with or without science, with or without writing.

Strategies for Test Preparation

Setting Target Scores

It's important to research the schools you're interested in and gather information on their admitted student profiles, specifically the middle 50% ACT scores. Aiming for a score within this range, or higher, will put you in a more competitive position. If your high school uses Naviance, you can also see data from students that attended your own school. Naviance shows you what scores they had and if they were accepted or rejected from your schools of interest.

Most colleges superscore your ACT, evaluating only your best scores for admission.

Tips to Improve Your ACT Score

Start prepping for the ACT by taking a practice test. That shows you what to expect and where you need to improve so you can focus your study plan. Prep experts recommend taking it at least twice to improve your scores.

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