What Is a Good ACT Score? A Parent’s Complete Guide (2026)

If your child just got their ACT results back, the first question most parents ask is simple: is this a good score? The honest answer is that it depends on where your child wants to go to college, what grade they are in, and what their academic goals look like.

This guide breaks down exactly what ACT scores mean, what colleges expect, and what your child should aim for based on their specific situation. By the end, you will know whether your child’s score is on track or whether it is time to take action.

How the ACT Is Scored

The ACT is scored on a scale of 1 to 36. Your child receives four section scores, one each for English, Math, Reading, and Science. Those four scores are averaged together to produce the composite score, which is the number most colleges look at first.

There is also an optional Writing section, scored separately on a scale of 2 to 12. Most colleges do not require the Writing score, but some selective schools still recommend it.

Starting in September 2025, students can choose to take individual ACT sections rather than the full test. This is useful for students who want to improve one specific area without retesting everything.

Here is a quick overview of the four required sections:

• English (75 questions, 45 minutes): Tests grammar, punctuation, sentence structure, and rhetorical skills.
• Math (60 questions, 60 minutes): Covers pre-algebra through basic trigonometry.
• Reading (40 questions, 35 minutes): Tests reading comprehension across literary and informational passages.
• Science (40 questions, 35 minutes): Tests data interpretation and scientific reasoning, not specific science content.

What Is the Average ACT Score?

The national average ACT composite score for the class of 2024 was 19.4. A student scoring 19 sits right at the 50th percentile, meaning they scored higher than roughly half of all test takers nationwide.

Here is how scores break down by percentile:

Most four-year colleges expect scores somewhere in the 18 to 25 range. Competitive schools typically want 28 or above. The most selective schools in the country are looking for 33 and up.

ACT Score Ranges for Selective Colleges

One of the most useful things you can do as a parent is look at the actual score ranges for the colleges your child is targeting. Schools report the middle 50% range, which means 25% of admitted students scored below the lower number and 25% scored above the higher number.

If your child is applying to UT Austin or Texas A&M, a score in the 27 to 31 range puts them in a competitive position. For more selective schools, a score of 33 or above is where you want to be aiming.

What Counts as a Good ACT Score for Your Child?

A good ACT score is one that meets or exceeds the requirements of the colleges your child is applying to. There is no single number that works for everyone.

Here is a practical way to think about it:

A good score gets your child into their target schools. If your child wants to attend a mid-tier state school, a score of 22 to 25 is likely strong enough. For flagship universities like UT Austin, aim for 28 and above.

A strong score opens scholarship opportunities. Many universities offer merit scholarships starting at certain score thresholds. At Texas A&M, merit-based scholarships become more accessible as scores climb above 30.

A great score reflects your child’s true potential. If your child’s practice test showed a 24 but their official composite came back as a 21, there is room to improve with the right preparation. That gap is exactly what structured ACT prep is designed to close.

ACT Score Goals by Grade Level

Many parents ask when their child should take the ACT and what to aim for at each stage.

Grades 8 to 9: At this age, the ACT is mainly for exploration. Some gifted programs use it as a talent search tool. There is no pressure for a specific score, but it provides a useful baseline.

Grade 10: Taking the ACT as a sophomore gives your child a real benchmark with plenty of time to improve. A score of 20 or above at this stage is a positive sign. Anything lower is not a concern yet, but it is a signal to begin preparing.

Grade 11: This is the most important testing year. Most students take the ACT once or twice during junior year. Aim for a score within or above the middle 50% range of your child’s target schools by the spring of 11th grade.

Grade 12: There is still time in senior year to improve. Fall testing dates provide enough time for scores to be reported before most college application deadlines. Students applying early decision or early action should test by October of their senior year at the latest.

Does a Good ACT Score Still Matter?

Despite the growth of test-optional policies during the pandemic, the ACT is back as a meaningful part of college admissions at most schools. Several universities have reinstated standardized testing requirements, including MIT, Yale, and Dartmouth. The University of Texas system has also continued to value test scores in its admissions and scholarship processes.

For parents in Texas and across the Southeast, a strong ACT score remains one of the clearest ways to differentiate your child’s application, qualify for merit scholarships, and open doors to programs that receive more applicants than they can accept.

A good ACT score can also matter at schools that remain test-optional. Submitting a strong score at a test-optional school typically helps an application, while submitting a weak score can hurt it. If your child’s score is at or above the school’s middle 50% range, submitting it is almost always the right decision.

How to Set a Target ACT Score for Your Child

Setting a realistic but ambitious target is one of the most important steps in ACT preparation. Here is a simple five-step process:

Step 1: Make a list of five to eight colleges your child is seriously considering.

Step 2: Look up the ACT middle 50% range for each school on their common data set or admissions website.

Step 3: Identify the highest score range on that list. That becomes your stretch target.

Step 4: Have your child take a full-length ACT practice test under real timed conditions to establish a baseline score.

Step 5: Calculate the gap between the baseline and the target. A gap of 1 to 3 points is achievable with focused self-study. A gap of 4 or more points typically calls for structured tutoring or a prep program.

At Blackmon Tutoring, we start every student with a diagnostic assessment before building their ACT prep plan. This tells us exactly which sections are holding the composite score down and where the fastest improvement is available. You can learn more about our ACT tutoring programs or see a full breakdown of the ACT Full Program we offer.

Above Average ACT Scores: What They Unlock

Scoring above the national average of 19.4 matters for practical reasons beyond just college admissions.

More college options. A score of 24 or above puts your child in a competitive range for the large majority of four-year universities in the United States, including many strong regional schools with excellent programs and lower tuition.

Merit scholarships. Many public universities offer automatic or competitive merit scholarships tied to ACT score thresholds. Improving from a 25 to a 28 can be worth thousands of dollars per year in scholarship money, which adds up significantly over four years.

Honors programs. Many colleges reserve spots in honors programs or specialized academic tracks for students above certain score thresholds. These programs typically offer smaller class sizes, priority registration, and better access to faculty.

Stronger applications overall. A high ACT score can offset a weaker GPA or fewer extracurricular activities. Admissions officers look at the full picture, and a score in the top 25% can make a meaningful difference in how an application is read.

Below Average ACT Scores: What to Do

If your child’s score came back below 18, it is not time to panic. It is time to make a plan.

Most students who prepare properly can improve their ACT score. The test rewards familiarity with the format, consistent pacing, and targeted section strategies far more than raw intelligence.

The biggest gains typically come from students who have the widest gap between their untrained score and their actual academic capability. A student scoring a 20 who genuinely has the skills of a 25-level student can close that gap with the right preparation.

The key is identifying which sections are dragging the composite down. If your child scored a 17 in Science but a 23 in English, the Science section is doing serious damage to the overall composite. Targeted work on data interpretation and scientific reasoning can add 3 to 5 points to that section score relatively quickly.

If your child is in this situation, the most effective next step is a structured ACT prep program with a certified tutor. Our ACT Full Program includes 30 one-on-one sessions with a curriculum that covers all four sections in depth, starting with a diagnostic to pinpoint exactly where the points are being lost.

Can Your Child Retake the ACT?

Yes, and many students do. The ACT can be taken up to 12 times, though most students take it two or three times at most.

Most colleges superscore the ACT, meaning they take the highest section scores across all test dates and combine them into a new composite. For example, a student who scored 24 in English, 22 in Math, 23 in Reading, and 20 in Science on one test, and then improved their Math to 26 and Science to 24 on a second test, would have a superscored composite based on 24 English, 26 Math, 23 Reading, and 24 Science.

Superscoring rewards targeted improvement. If your child knows their weakest sections, they can prepare specifically for those areas before a retake and potentially improve the superscored composite without needing to lift every section at once.

The optimal window for a retake is typically after 6 to 12 weeks of structured preparation. Retesting after only a few weeks of casual review rarely produces meaningful score improvement.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a 20 a good ACT score?

A 20 is right at the national average and qualifies your child for admission at many four-year colleges. However, it falls below the typical range for selective universities and may limit scholarship eligibility. With focused preparation, most students scoring 20 can reach 24 or higher.

Is a 25 a good ACT score?

A 25 is above average and puts your child in a competitive range for most public universities, including many flagship state schools. For selective private colleges, a higher score is typically expected.

Is a 28 a good ACT score?

A 28 is a strong score that places your child in the 88th percentile. It is competitive for most four-year universities and opens merit scholarship eligibility at many schools, including several Texas state universities.

Is a 30 a good ACT score?

A 30 is an excellent score in the 94th percentile. It is competitive for selective universities and positions your child well for significant merit scholarships at many schools.

Is a 34 a good ACT score?

A 34 is exceptional, placing your child in the 99th percentile. It is competitive for the most selective schools in the country, including Ivy League institutions.

How many times can my child take the ACT?

Students can take the ACT up to 12 times. Most colleges accept the best composite score or superscore across multiple test dates.

What is the minimum ACT score for college?

There is no universal minimum. Most four-year colleges want to see a score of at least 18 to 20. Community colleges typically do not require a minimum ACT score for admission.

Do all colleges require the ACT?

No. Many colleges are currently test-optional, meaning your child can choose whether to submit a score. However, submitting a strong score typically helps, and some programs or scholarships still require one regardless of the school’s overall test-optional policy.

Ready to Help Your Child Improve Their ACT Score?

We serve students in Texas, Georgia, California, Florida, Oklahoma, Louisiana, and New York, with both in-home and online options available. Explore our ACT tutoring programs or learn about our comprehensive ACT Full Program that includes 30 personalized one-on-one sessions with a certified ACT tutor.

Your child’s ACT score is not final until they decide it is.