Defining a strong ACT® score is context-dependent, and a lot of it will depend on the expectations of the colleges you’re aiming for. Elite institutions, such as Harvard, often seek scores above 32, with a competitive range (their middle 50%) between 33 and 35. Meanwhile, the University of Miami might consider a score around 32 as more than acceptable. In this example, functionally all this means is that Harvard just weighs a high ACT® score a little bit more when considering potential students. Both of our potential Crimson and ‘Canes students in this example are both being selected by their respective institutions for more than their score.

Given that multiple sections contribute to the composite score, it’s essential to consider each section individually when thinking about your score. Some colleges prioritize specific sections, and your performance in these areas can influence your overall competitiveness.

The national average is complicated by the diversity of students’ strengths across sections. While one student might excel in Math, another might shine in English. So, for example, if you are applying to MIT and your English section is lower than your Math one, the school won’t throw your application out just because there’s a mismatch: it’s a Math heavy school, it makes sense! Therefore, the significance of each section varies depending on your academic strengths and the requirements of your target institutions. All that being said, about 80% of test takers in 2023 were able to score around a 25 or lower on each of the sections, so in terms of just percentiles, we would say that scoring above this would be a good place to aim for and hopefully surpass, as it would put you in the top 20%.

Still, understanding your prospective colleges’ preferences is key here. By focusing on both the composite and individual section scores, you can tailor your approach to align with the expectations of your chosen institutions.