Understanding ACT Score Percentiles: A Complete Guide
The ACT is a standardized test that’s used by colleges and universities across the United States to assess applicants. Getting a good ACT score is important, but understanding what your score means is just as vital. That’s where percentiles come in.
This guide will give you a complete overview of ACT score percentiles, explaining what they are, how they’re calculated, and how you can use them to plan for college.
We’ll dig into the most recent percentile data, explain why composite scores matter more than subscores, and give you actionable advice on how to use percentiles to make your college applications stand out.
What Are ACT Percentiles and Why Do They Matter?
So, you’ve taken the ACT. You’ve got a score. But what does that score mean, really? That’s where percentiles come in.
Defining ACT Percentiles
An ACT percentile tells you what percentage of test takers scored at or below your score. Think of it as a way to see how you stack up against everyone else who took the test. It’s not about the percentage of questions you got right; it’s a comparison.
Percentile vs. Percentage
Here’s a crucial distinction: a 70th percentile score doesn’t mean you answered 70% of the questions correctly. It means you did better than 70% of the other students who took the ACT.
Importance of Percentiles
Why should you care about percentiles? Well, they’re pretty important for a couple of reasons.
College Admissions
Colleges look at your ACT score and your percentile to get a sense of your academic standing. Knowing your percentile helps you figure out how competitive your score is for the colleges you’re interested in.
Self-Assessment
Percentiles can also help you understand your strengths and weaknesses on the ACT. If you scored higher in some sections than others, your percentile rankings will show you where you shine and where you might need to focus your study efforts.
Decoding the Current ACT Score Percentiles
So, you’ve taken the ACT, and you’re staring at your scores. What do they mean? Understanding percentiles is key to figuring out how you stack up against other test-takers and how colleges will view your results. Here’s the breakdown:
Composite Score Percentiles
Your composite score is the average of your scores in English, Math, Reading, and Science. It’s the number colleges look at first.
Here are a few key benchmarks:
- A composite score of 30 puts you in the 93rd percentile.
- A composite score of 20 is roughly the 61st percentile.
- A perfect 36 lands you in the 100th percentile.
Section Score Percentiles
While colleges focus on the composite, your individual section scores are important too. They show your strengths and weaknesses in specific subjects.
For example:
- A score of 30 in Reading is the 87th percentile.
- A score of 29 in Math is the 94th percentile.
The Mid-Range Advantage
Here’s a crucial point: small score improvements in the middle of the scoring range can lead to big percentile gains. Improving from a 17 to a 20, for example, can jump you from the 41st to the 60th percentile.
However, once you get above a 34 composite score, percentile ranking doesn’t change much. So, if you’re aiming for a higher percentile, focus on improving your scores in the middle ranges for the biggest impact.
ACT subscores: Insights and limitations
The ACT also provides subscores, which can offer a more granular look at your performance.
What are ACT subscores?
Subscores give you additional data about your performance on each section of the ACT. They break down each section into specific skills. For example, the English section will give you a subscore in rhetorical skills.
ACT, Inc., the organization that designs, administers, and scores the ACT, no longer publishes percentile rankings for subscores.
Using subscores to improve your ACT score
Subscores can help you find the areas that need the most improvement. This allows you to study more efficiently and effectively.
Keep in mind, though, that colleges aren’t as interested in your subscores as they are in your composite score and your scores on each of the four sections. It’s generally best to focus on improving your overall composite score for college applications.
Leveraging ACT Percentiles for College Admissions Strategies
Okay, so you know your ACT percentile. Now what? Here’s how to use that information to your advantage as you’re planning your college application strategy.
Setting Target Scores
The first step is to do some research on the colleges you’re interested in. Most colleges publish the ACT score range (from the 25th to 75th percentile) of students they’ve admitted in the past. This gives you a target to aim for as you’re preparing for the ACT.
It’s generally a good idea to aim for a score at or above the 75th percentile for your target colleges. This increases your chances of being admitted.
Strategic Test Preparation
Your percentile rankings can also help you fine-tune your ACT prep. Use them to figure out which sections are your weaker areas and focus your study efforts there. Often, improving your mid-range scores can give you the biggest percentile gains.
That said, try not to obsess too much over percentiles. It’s important to achieve competitive scores for the colleges you want to attend, but remember that even small score improvements can lead to significant percentile jumps.
Understanding College Expectations
Keep in mind that colleges typically do a holistic review of your application, which means they consider things like your grades, essays, extracurricular activities, and letters of recommendation, in addition to your ACT score. A strong ACT score can definitely boost your application, but it’s only one piece of the puzzle.
Also, some colleges have minimum ACT score requirements for admission or scholarship eligibility, so make sure you meet those minimums for the schools you’re targeting.
Putting It All Together
ACT percentile scores are a helpful tool for seeing how your performance stacks up against other students. Remember to look at both your composite score and your subscores to fully understand your results.
Once you have your percentile scores, you can use them to figure out where you need to improve and set realistic goals for yourself. A good target is the 75th percentile for the colleges you’re interested in. Then, you can create a test prep plan to help you get there.
Finally, remember that your ACT score is just one part of your college application. Do your best on the test, but also focus on building a well-rounded application that shows off your unique skills and accomplishments. Colleges want to know who you are beyond a test score!