So you\u2019ve just received your ACT test scores, but what does it all mean, and where do you go from here? Both great questions. Understanding your ACT test scores is an essential component of your college admissions process, since it helps you gauge your competitiveness as an applicant and determine next steps regarding ACT prep. Here are a few tips to help you figure out where to go next:<\/p>\n
To understand how you compare with other students taking the test, you need to look at your percentile score, which describes the percentage of students who scored lower than you. For instance, if you score in the 90th percentile, it means you scored better than or equal to 90% of other students.<\/span><\/p>\n A breakdown of how well you did on each test and subsection appears under \u201cDetailed Results.\u201d This shows you the percentage of correct and incorrect questions across a range of skill areas and question types to help you pinpoint which specific areas you should target when you prep.<\/span> Generally speaking, to be competitive you\u2019ll want to score towards the upper end of the 25th – 75th college admissions percentile for the schools you\u2019re considering<\/a>. Colleges and universities publish these ranges indicating the test score distribution of their entering freshman class. 50% of their admitted freshman had scores that fell between those 2 numbers, 25% had scores above, and 25% had scores below.<\/span><\/p>\n
\nDo I have a Good ACT Score?<\/h2>
\nSo what\u2019s a <\/span>good ACT score<\/span><\/a>? In truth, good ACT test scores are those that allow you to get into the programs you\u2019re hoping to apply to and that help you achieve your personal goals.<\/span><\/p>\n