How the ACT Composite Score Is Calculated
The ACT is scored on a scale of 1–36 for each of its four sections: English, Mathematics, Reading, and Science. Your composite score is the arithmetic average of these four section scores, rounded to the nearest whole number.
If your four scores are 24, 25, 23, and 22, your composite is round(94/4) = 24. Section scores of 24–26 are generally competitive for most four-year universities in the United States.
ACT Percentile Reference Table (2024–2025)
| Composite Score | Approximate Percentile | Tier |
|---|---|---|
| 36 | 99th+ | Exceptional |
| 34–35 | 99th | Elite |
| 30–33 | 93rd–98th | Excellent |
| 27–29 | 85th–92nd | Strong |
| 24–26 | 74th–84th | Good |
| 20–23 | 49th–73rd | Average |
| 17–19 | 31st–48th | Below Average |
| Below 17 | Below 31st | Needs Improvement |
What Is a Good ACT Score?
The national average ACT composite score is approximately 19–20. A "good" score depends heavily on your target colleges. Most selective universities (top 50) expect scores of 28 or higher, while highly selective schools (top 25) often look for 32+. A score of 24 or above places you in the top quarter of all test-takers and is competitive at a broad range of institutions.
Understanding the ELA and STEM Scores
The ELA (English Language Arts) score combines your English and Reading scores and ranges from 1–36. It reflects your language arts and reading comprehension abilities. The STEM score combines Math and Science and similarly ranges from 1–36. These subscores give colleges additional insight into your specific strengths beyond the composite.