--- title: What's the ACT Score Range? · PrepScholar description: What's the full range of ACT Scores? What's the highest and lowest ACT score you can get? Find out here. image: https://360031.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/360031/feature_acttest.jpg --- **[![PrepScholar](https://www.prepscholar.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/PrepScholar-Logo-Colored.png)](https://www.prepscholar.com/)** CALL NOW: [+1 (866) 811-5546](tel:18668115546) [![Start Free Trial](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/360031/interactive-171805697634.png)](https://cta-service-cms2.hubspot.com/web-interactives/public/v1/track/redirect?encryptedPayload=AVxigLKJluK2NyG3jpAJh%2F2lClc1fhnVHyMZoQonqRxtJngB8FMX6lc78F84JqOaVAL0d36TA5%2FYuH%2FLCJw8AG3ewREi%2F7a3XDouZgjxWfYCBUge6z76KnSykOxONl3avMK0gUjJGpJdyJE2BDTx8g3bsgHwMtx4Kr9Jfh6Jr7WA2XEIgtLw1OoVvAMo4Kw%3D&webInteractiveContentId=171805697634&portalId=360031) ## Choose Your Test SAT Prep ACT Prep [PrepScholar Advice Blog](https://blog.prepscholar.com/) ☰ - Search Blogs By Category - [SAT](https://blog.prepscholar.com/topic/sat) - [ACT](https://blog.prepscholar.com/topic/act) - [College Admissions](https://blog.prepscholar.com/topic/college-admissions) - [AP and IB Exams](https://blog.prepscholar.com/topic/advanced-placement-ap) - [PSAT](https://blog.prepscholar.com/topic/psat-info-and-strategies) - [TOEFL](https://blog.prepscholar.com/topic/toefl) - [GPA and Coursework](https://blog.prepscholar.com/topic/coursework-gpa) # [What's the ACT Score Range?](https://blog.prepscholar.com/whats-the-act-score-range) ![author image](http://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/360031/author_francesca.png) Posted by [Francesca Fulciniti](https://blog.prepscholar.com/author/francesca-fulciniti) | Updated on August 29, 2024 [ACT](https://blog.prepscholar.com/topic/act)   ![feature_acttest](https://360031.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/360031/hubfs/feature_acttest.jpg?width=312&name=feature_acttest.jpg) You can’t study effectively for the ACT if you don’t know what score to aim for, and you won’t know what score to aim for if you don’t know how the ACT is scored! In this post, I’ll start off with some important background info on the ACT before getting to the good stuff — the ACT score range and what you should know about it. For example, what do these scores mean? What counts as a good ACT score? Read on to find out!   ## ACT: The Basics Although it wasn’t the original college entrance exam, [the ACT is now accepted everywhere](https://blog.prepscholar.com/do-colleges-accept-act-takers-vs-sat-act-disadvantaged) that the SAT is. In fact, [more people take the ACT every year than the SAT](https://blog.prepscholar.com/do-colleges-accept-act-takers-vs-sat-act-disadvantaged). The ACT (or the SAT, if you so choose) will be an important part of your college applications. Admissions officers consider your scores as a measure of academic preparedness — **the higher your scores, the stronger your application**. Higher-ranking schools have higher expectations when it comes to ACT scores, so if you want to be a top applicant, it's important to know what scores you should be aiming for (don't worry, we'll get to that shortly)!   ## The ACT Score Range **The ACT is scored out of a total of 36 points** — this is known as the composite, or total, score. **The lowest possible composite score is 1**. [This score is calculated](https://blog.prepscholar.com/how-is-the-act-scored) by averaging all the ACT sections.  **There are four sections, or tests, within the ACT.** Each test is scored out of 36 points, with the lowest possible score of 1 — just like the composite score. Here's some information about what to expect for each ACT section (click the links to read more about each topic): - [English](https://blog.prepscholar.com/best-act-english-prep-method-and-strategies) – 75 total questions - [Math](https://blog.prepscholar.com/whats-tested-on-act-math-concepts-subjects-and-skills) – 60 total questions - [Reading](https://blog.prepscholar.com/act-reading-question-type-complete-breakdown) – 40 total questions - [Science](https://blog.prepscholar.com/the-11-act-science-strategies-you-must-be-using) – 40 total questions **There’s also the option to take the ACT with a writing section**. [Some colleges](https://blog.prepscholar.com/complete-list-which-colleges-require-act-writing-all-schools) require you take the ACT with Writing. This doesn’t affect your composite score, but your writing section will be sent to colleges in addition to the scores above. There have been some changes to the ACT Writing section this year, so be sure to check out [our guide](https://blog.prepscholar.com/the-new-enhanced-act-writing-test-2015-complete-guide) for more info.    ## A Better Understanding of ACT Scores ![body_lightbulb-1](https://360031.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/360031/hubfs/body_lightbulb-1.png?width=194&name=body_lightbulb-1.png) *Here's where we start to make sense of this score range. *   A score range of 1-36 isn’t necessarily easy to wrap your head around, unlike a standard test scored out of 100 points. While it’s helpful to know about the maximum and minimum scores, the range doesn’t really tell you what’s average or normal for a student like you. Lucky for us, millions of students take the ACT every year, and we have access to information about how they’ve scored.   ### National ACT Performance Here's what we know about the ACT score distribution on a national level: - **The average composite score is 21 points**, out of a possible 36.  - **The 75th percentile score is 24**. This means that students who score 24 points had higher composite scores than 75% of all other test takers. Scores of 24+ are [generally considered excellent](https://blog.prepscholar.com/whats-an-excellent-sat-score), at least on a national level.  - **The 25th percentile score is 16**. This means that students who score 16 points had lower composite scores than 75% of all other test takers. Scores at or below 16 points are [generally considered low](https://blog.prepscholar.com/whats-a-bad-act-score-nationally-and-by-college), at least on a national level.  If you want more detailed information on national ACT score distribution, check out this [percentile chart](https://blog.prepscholar.com/act-percentiles-and-score-rankings).    ### High School and Target College ACT Performance Although looking at national ACT performance is helpful, it can only get you so far. People who take the ACT come from vastly different backgrounds and have vastly different goals — you go to one particular high school in one particular area, and you're probably looking at a specific set of colleges, right? You won't be applying to every single school in the country. **You'll want to aim for goal scores that are appropriate considering both your educational background and your future goals**.  The first steps in this process involve learning how your peers perform on the ACT, and learning how students at your target schools perform on the ACT. **To learn what your peers tend to score on the test**: - Google "\[Your high school name\] ACT score report" - See your guidance counselor - Ask your friends - Read our guide to [understanding ACT scores](https://blog.prepscholar.com/what-is-a-good-act-score-a-bad-act-score-an-excellent-act-score) for more detailed instructions **To learn what students at your target colleges score on the ACT** (remember, you want your scores to look like theirs): - Google "\[school name\] PrepScholar admissions requirements" to get information on 25th and 75th percentile ACT scores - Read our guide to [setting appropriate goal scores](https://blog.prepscholar.com/what-is-a-good-act-score-a-bad-act-score-an-excellent-act-score) for more information ## What's Next? Now that you know all about the ACT score range, you can start learning all you can about the test's content. Check out how to prepare for the ACT [English](https://blog.prepscholar.com/the-ultimate-study-guide-for-act-english-tips-strategies-and-practice), [math](https://blog.prepscholar.com/whats-tested-on-act-math-concepts-subjects-and-skills), [reading](https://blog.prepscholar.com/the-ultimate-prep-guide-to-act-reading-practice-strategies-tips), and [science](https://blog.prepscholar.com/the-best-way-to-study-and-practice-for-act-science) sections. If you're particularly ambitious and want to aim for some of those top schools I mentioned earlier, learn how to [score a perfect 36](https://blog.prepscholar.com/how-to-get-a-perfect-act-score-by-a-36-full-scorer) on the ACT.   [![Disappointed with your scores? Want to improve your ACT score by 4+ points?   We've written a guide about the top 5 strategies you must use to have a shot at improving your score. Download it for free now:](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/360031/interactive-151867936175.png)](https://blog.prepscholar.com/hs/cta/wi/redirect?encryptedPayload=AVxigLLTqYjddS7zyGtkzdfuPO31MZWRWH%2BIY9jgqI9RDALohPmzFFymvVUFIHjc%2B1Vdj9Fwug4KOgkHD0162ASV%2BFEYTESwmaegEPZJYtA%2B2fuNslERV5fAmJckl5%2BcxpE6qiYYDFvwtqjJn5tyZ34cbtJAalH%2FYrqk39BznFQAkdWp%2BcC0p91oNg3nAATWaVYTUolJXQ%3D%3D&webInteractiveContentId=151867936175&portalId=360031)   ### Trending Now [How to Get Into Harvard and the Ivy League](https://blog.prepscholar.com/how-to-get-into-harvard-and-the-ivy-league-by-a-harvard-alum) [How to Get a Perfect 4.0 GPA](https://blog.prepscholar.com/how-to-get-a-4-0-gpa-and-get-better-grades-by-a-harvard-alum) [How to Write an Amazing College Essay](https://blog.prepscholar.com/how-to-write-a-college-essay) [Should You Take the SAT or ACT?](https://quiz.prepscholar.com/sat-vs-act) [What Exactly Are Colleges Looking For?](https://blog.prepscholar.com/what-do-colleges-look-for) [ACT vs. SAT: 10 Key Differences](https://blog.prepscholar.com/act-vs-sat) [Calculate Your College Chances](https://mycollegechances.prepscholar.com/) Get Your Free **[![PrepScholar](https://www.prepscholar.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/PrepScholar-Logo-Colored.png)](https://www.prepscholar.com/)** eBook [5 Tips to Raise Your SAT Score 160+ Points](https://www.prepscholar.com/rp/sat-5-tips-ebook/) [5 Tips to Raise Your ACT Score 4+ Points](https://www.prepscholar.com/rp/act-5-tips-ebook/) ### SAT Prep [Find Your Target SAT Score](https://blog.prepscholar.com/what-is-a-good-sat-score-a-bad-sat-score-an-excellent-sat-score) [Free Complete Official SAT Practice Tests](https://blog.prepscholar.com/complete-official-sat-practice-tests-free-links) ### **[How to Get a Perfect SAT Score, by an Expert Full Scorer](https://blog.prepscholar.com/how-to-get-a-perfect-sat-score-by-a-2400-sat-scorer)** [Score 800 on SAT Math](https://blog.prepscholar.com/how-to-get-800-on-sat-math-by-a-perfect-scorer) [Score 800 on SAT Reading and Writing](https://blog.prepscholar.com/how-to-get-800-on-sat-reading-and-writing) [Raise Your SAT Score by 160+ Points GUARANTEED. Start Your 5-Day Risk-Free Trial](https://www.prepscholar.com/sat-test-prep/?utm_source=databasepage&utm_medium=sidebar&utm_campaign=sat_guarantee) ### ACT Prep [Find Your Target ACT Score](https://blog.prepscholar.com/what-is-a-good-act-score-a-bad-act-score-an-excellent-act-score) [Complete Official Free ACT Practice Tests](https://blog.prepscholar.com/complete-official-act-practice-tests-free-links) ### **[How to Get a Perfect ACT Score, by a 36 Full Scorer](https://blog.prepscholar.com/how-to-get-a-perfect-act-score-by-a-36-full-scorer)** [Get a 36 on ACT English](https://blog.prepscholar.com/how-to-get-36-on-act-english-9-strategies-from-a-perfect-scorer) [Get a 36 on ACT Math](https://blog.prepscholar.com/how-to-get-36-on-act-math-8-strategies-by-a-perfect-scorer) [Get a 36 on ACT Reading](https://blog.prepscholar.com/how-to-get-36-on-act-reading-11-strategies-from-a-perfect-scorer) Stay Informed Get the latest articles and test prep tips! - [![Follow us on Facebook (icon)](https://360031.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/360031/facebook_logo.png)](https://www.facebook.com/prepscholar) - [![Follow us on X (icon)](https://360031.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/360031/twitterx-50.png)](https://twitter.com/intent/follow?region=follow_link&screen_name=PrepScholar&tw_p=followbutton) - [![Follow us on Instagram (icon)](https://360031.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/360031/instagram-sidebar.webp)](https://www.instagram.com/prepscholar/) Get Exclusive Tips for College Admissions Sign up to receive free guidance on everything from acing the SAT to writing a standout college admissions essay. × ## Thanks for Subscribing! ![Check icon](https://360031.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/360031/file-2386656898.png/subscribe_check.png.png?width=175&name=subscribe_check.png) To receive immediate updates on all our helpful guides and strategies, **follow us** on social media: [![Facebook](https://blogprepschola.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/26de6c2beb2b71ee5b8d660200359259.png)](https://www.facebook.com/prepscholar) [![X](https://blogprepschola.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/f233666501ea25d3fcf3c390d2f08c7b.png)](https://x.com/intent/follow?region=follow_link&screen_name=PrepScholar&tw_p=followbutton) [![LinkedIn](https://blogprepschola.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/linkedin.png)](https://www.linkedin.com/company/prepscholar/) [![Instagram](https://blogprepschola.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/download-1.png)](https://www.instagram.com/prepscholar/) **Have friends who also need help with test prep?** Share this article! [![Share on email](https://360031.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/360031/hubfs/email-color.png?width=24&name=email-color.png)](mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fblog.prepscholar.com%2Fwhats-the-act-score-range%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail%20&body=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fblog.prepscholar.com%2Fwhats-the-act-score-range%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail) [![Share on facebook](https://360031.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/360031/hubfs/facebook-color.png?width=24&name=facebook-color.png)](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.prepscholar.com%2Fwhats-the-act-score-range%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dfacebook) [![Share on twitter](https://360031.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/360031/hubfs/x-twitter-color.png?width=24&name=x-twitter-color.png)](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.prepscholar.com%2Fwhats-the-act-score-range%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&url=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.prepscholar.com%2Fwhats-the-act-score-range%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&source=tweetbutton&text=) [![Share on linkedin](https://360031.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/360031/hubfs/linkedin-color.png?width=24&name=linkedin-color.png)](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.prepscholar.com%2Fwhats-the-act-score-range%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dlinkedin) About the Author ![author image](http://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/360031/author_francesca.png) Francesca Fulciniti Francesca graduated magna cum laude from Harvard and scored in the 99th percentile on the SATs. She's worked with many students on SAT prep and college counseling, and loves helping students capitalize on their strengths. ## Ask a Question Below Have any questions about this article or other topics? Ask below and we'll reply! **[![PrepScholar](https://www.prepscholar.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/PrepScholar-Logo-White.png)](https://www.prepscholar.com)** - [WHO WE ARE](https://www.prepscholar.com/who-we-are/) - [SUCCESS STORIES](https://www.prepscholar.com/case-studies/) - [ADVICE BLOG](https://blog.prepscholar.com/) - [FOR SCHOOLS](https://www.prepscholar.com/for-schools/) - [SAT](https://www.prepscholar.com/sat-test-prep/) - [ACT](https://www.prepscholar.com/act-test-prep/) - [PSAT](https://www.prepscholar.com/psat-test-prep/) - [AP](https://www.prepscholar.com/ap-tutoring/) - [GRE](https://www.prepscholar.com/gre-test-prep/) - [GMAT](https://www.prepscholar.com/gmat-test-prep/) - [TOEFL](https://www.prepscholar.com/toefl-test-prep/) - [ADMISSIONS](https://www.prepscholar.com/college-admissions-consulting/) - [TERMS OF SERVICE](https://www.prepscholar.com/terms-of-service/) - [PRIVACY POLICY](https://www.prepscholar.com/privacy-policy/) - [![follow us on X (icon)](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/360031/twitter-64.png)](https://twitter.com/intent/follow?region=follow_link&screen_name=PrepScholar&tw_p=followbutton) - [![Follow us on Facebook (icon)](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/360031/facebook-64.png)](https://www.facebook.com/prepscholar) - [![follow us on Instagram (icon)](https://360031.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/360031/instagram-64.svg)](https://www.instagram.com/prepscholar/) - [![follow us on TikTok (icon)](https://360031.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/360031/tiktok-50.svg)](https://www.tiktok.com/@prepscholarofficial) - [![Follow us on LinkedIn (icon)](https://360031.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/360031/linkedin50.png)](https://www.linkedin.com/company/prepscholar/) © PrepScholar 2013-2025. All rights reserved SAT® is a registered trademark of the College Entrance Examination BoardTM. The College Entrance Examination BoardTM does not endorse, nor is it affiliated in any way with the owner or any content of this web site. ACT® is a registered trademark belonging to ACT Education Corporation ("ACT"). ACT is not involved with or affiliated with PrepScholar Inc., nor does ACT endorse or sponsor any of the products or services offered by PrepScholar Inc. GRE® and TOEFL® are registered trademarks of the ETS®. The ETS® does not endorse, nor is it affiliated in any way with, the owner or any content of this web site. GMAT® is a registered trademark of the Graduate Management Admissions Council®. The Graduate Management Admissions Council® does not endorse, nor is it affiliated in any way with, the owner or any content of this website. ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Francesca Fulciniti", "url" : "https://blog.prepscholar.com/author/francesca-fulciniti" }, "dateModified" : "2024-08-29T19:02:12+00:00", "datePublished" : "2015-10-09T22:00:00+00:00", "description" : "What's the full range of ACT Scores? What's the highest and lowest ACT score you can get? Find out here.", "headline" : "What's the ACT Score Range?", "image" : "http://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/360031/feature_acttest.jpg", "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://blog.prepscholar.com/whats-the-act-score-range", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://www.prepscholar.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/PrepScholar-Logo-Colored.png" }, "name" : "PrepScholar" } } ```