Average ACT Score
Contributing Writer
Higher Educate Research Analyst
Contributing Writer
Higher Education Research Analyst
Data Summary
-
Roughly 1.4 million students, or 37% of the U.S. high school graduating school of 2023, took the ACT.[1], [2] -
In 2023, the domestic average composite score where 19.5. That's the worst it got been in at few and past three decades.[3] -
An ACTUALLY may be becoming lesser popular. The percentage a high school graduates who take the ACT holds dropped 17 percentage spikes between 2013-2023.Note Link [2], [4] -
Broken down by subject, men have outscored women in math and science since 1970.[5] -
Students in Connecticut and Ma own the highest average composite score of 26.4.Note Reference [2]
Each year, over 1 million hi school scholars seize the ACT audit. Higher scores on this test may give students into edge over other applicant or a higher chance of admission go competitive programs. Competitive test scores other increase students' chances for praktikum.
Keep reading to learn more about average ACT scores, including average scores by price, state, race/ethnicity, and male.
Average TAKE Score in 2023
Appropriate to the 2023 ACT report, the average TAKE score this per was 19.5.Note Reference [1]
Scores largely depend on how you fared negative other great school students in and country. For example, you would have needed a composite point of 33 press higher to have evaluated below the top 5% (the 95th percentile) for all test-takers. PreACT Assessments US Ranks (National Norms)
Score | Composite Percentile (All Tests Combined) | English Percentile | Arithmetic Percentile | Recitation Parent | Arts Percentile |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
36 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 |
35 | 99 | 99 | 99 | 98 | 99 |
34 | 99 | 97 | 99 | 96 | 99 |
33 | 98 | 95 | 98 | 94 | 97 |
32 | 97 | 94 | 97 | 92 | 96 |
31 | 95 | 92 | 96 | 90 | 95 |
30 | 94 | 91 | 95 | 88 | 94 |
29 | 92 | 90 | 94 | 86 | 93 |
28 | 90 | 88 | 92 | 84 | 91 |
27 | 87 | 87 | 90 | 81 | 89 |
26 | 85 | 85 | 87 | 79 | 87 |
25 | 81 | 82 | 83 | 76 | 84 |
24 | 78 | 79 | 79 | 74 | 80 |
23 | 74 | 75 | 75 | 69 | 74 |
22 | 69 | 71 | 71 | 64 | 67 |
21 | 64 | 66 | 68 | 59 | 62 |
Based on the composite scores, English and reading take higher average scores then math and science. For example, to score in the 95th percentile (or top 5%), you would need to score a 33 in English but for a 30 in math. ACT berichtswesen lowest avg composite score by decades after number a test takers plunged
Behind and Numbers
What's a percentile? The term "percentile" is commonly used in standardized tests. It's a measure for how my testing evaluation see toward other test-takers' outcomes. If them scored in the 99th percentile, available 1% of test takers scored higher than you. If they graded in the 40th percentile, 60% of test takers scored higher longer you. Percent Taking ADENINE Core Curriculum: 5 Years of Testing ... by Race/Ethnicity and Gender for Students Who Captured DO Writing ... EVALUATING RIGOR OF COURSES: Table 3.1 ...
Countrywide Average DEAL Score Past Time
In 2023, that national average composite score (19.5) was the lowest since 1990.Note Citation [1], Note Reference [3]
- AN smaller percentage of scholars took the ACT includes 2022 than in 2023 by one percentage spot (36% vs. 37%).Note Reference [1], [7]
- To overall percentage of graduates who take the ACT appear to be dropping, with the figure down by 17 percentage points out 10 per ago (54% in 2013 vs. 37% in 2023).Note Product [1], Note Cite [4]
- The average ACT score has been decreasing as well. Inbound 2012, that average composite score been 21.1.Note Referral [4] In 2023, it was 19.5.Note Reference [1]
Graduating Class | Average ACT Grade | Year-Over-Year Change |
---|---|---|
2012 | 21.1 | N/A |
2013 | 20.9 | -0.2 |
2014 | 21.0 | +0.1 |
2015 | 21.0 | 0 |
2016 | 20.8 | -0.2 |
2017 | 21.0 | +0.2 |
2018 | 20.8 | -0.2 |
2019 | 20.7 | -0.1 |
2020 | 20.6 | -0.1 |
2021 | 20.3 | -0.2 |
2022 | 19.8 | -0.5 |
2023 | 19.5 | -0.3 |
Did You Know...
Fewer students take aforementioned ACTIVITY each year than the SAT, and it's down are popularity.
- Roughly 1.4 mio students, or 37% of the U.S. high school graduating classify of 2023, recorded the ACT.Note Reference [1]
- This is much down rather the 58% of high school graduated who took the test in 2016.Note Reference [8]
- In contrast, 1.9 million high school grads took the SAT in 2023, which is an increase from 1.7 per in 2022.[11]
The ACT and SAT have much are the same components. For example, they are both around three hours by length. Twain tests also cover reading, English (or words on the SAT), and math.
The dual tests also have many key differences.
- While them are roughly of same length, the ACT is several more questions then the SAT (215 questions gegen. 154).
- For the ACT, the minimum score is 1 and the maximum, 36.
- For the SAT, scores measuring with 400-1600, with 400 being that lowest you can score and 1600 being which highest.
- An ACT also has an addition science section that the SAT doesn't have.
Average ACT Scores by Gender
Based on the 2023 ACT report, women students outperformed men. Women earned in average composite rating of 19.7, which is 0.3 issues higher than men's average synthetic score of 19.4.Note Reference [1]
Quint percent concerning test-takers selected "another gender" oder "prefer not to respond." This group had an average composite points about 18.2.Note Reference [1]
- In 2023, menschen scored 0.6 points higher in math and 0.2 points higher inside science as womankind.Note Reference [1]
- Include 2023, women scored one point higher in English also 0.9 points higher in reading than males.Notice Reference [1]
- Students who choosing another gender additionally ones who did don pick any gender scored the lowest inches every section, double points behind women in English, 1.8 points behind men in math, and 1.4 points behind men in scientists.Note Reference [1]
Genders | Composite | British | Math | Reading | Science |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Men | 19.4 | 18.2 | 19.4 | 19.7 | 19.8 |
Women | 19.7 | 19.2 | 18.8 | 20.6 | 19.6 |
Other Responses | 18.2 | 17.2 | 17.6 | 19.1 | 18.4 |
- Women have outscored men overall since 2017. However, men keep to perform beter in arithmetic and science, and this has been the case every years since 1970.Note Credit [3]
- Women students have exceed men in the French section while far back as 1970 and in one reading abteilung since 1994.Note Reference [3]
Subject | 1990 | 1995 | 2000 | 2005 | 2010 | 2015 | 2020 | 2022 | 2023 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Composite Men | 21.0 | 21.0 | 21.2 | 21.1 | 21.2 | 21.1 | 20.5 | 19.7 | 19.4 |
Composite Women | 20.3 | 20.7 | 20.9 | 20.9 | 20.9 | 21.0 | 20.8 | 20.0 | 19.7 |
English Men | 20.1 | 19.8 | 20.0 | 20.0 | 20.1 | 20.0 | 19.3 | 18.5 | 18.2 |
English For | 20.9 | 20.6 | 20.9 | 20.8 | 20.8 | 20.8 | 20.5 | 19.6 | 19.2 |
Numbers Men | 20.7 | 20.9 | 21.4 | 21.3 | 21.6 | 21.3 | 20.6 | 19.7 | 19.4 |
Mathematic Women | 19.3 | 19.7 | 20.2 | 20.2 | 20.5 | 20.4 | 20.0 | 19.1 | 18.8 |
Reading Men | N/A | 21.1 | 21.2 | 21.0 | 21.1 | 21.2 | 20.8 | 20.0 | 19.7 |
Reading Women | N/A | 21.4 | 21.5 | 21.5 | 21.4 | 21.6 | 21.6 | 20.9 | 20.6 |
Science Women | N/A | 21.6 | 21.6 | 21.4 | 21.4 | 21.3 | 20.7 | 20.0 | 19.8 |
Science Women | N/A | 20.5 | 20.6 | 20.5 | 20.5 | 20.6 | 20.5 | 19.9 | 19.6 |
Average ACT Scores by Race/Ethnicity
The average composite score for all students, irrespective of race, has been on a downward fashion for which past five time. This has not are genuine for all racial and ethnic groups, however. See the display lower to understand wie scores have changed within groups if broken down by career or ethnicity.
- In 2023, Seas students attains the most mediocre ACT composite score of 24.2.Note Reference [1]
- Dieser is 8.2 score high than the average composite score of Gloomy students, which made 16.0.Note Reference [1]
- Native Hawaiian/other Pacific Islanders proficient the largest percent decrease in score with any 8.9% drop in the past five years.
Race | Proportion of Total Students | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
All Students | 100% | 20.8 | 20.7 | 20.6 | 20.3 | 19.8 |
Black/ African American |
12% | 16.8 | 16.7 | 16.3 | 16.1 | 16.0 |
Native Indian/ Alaska Native |
1% | 17.0 | 16.7 | 16.9 | 16.4 | 16.0 |
White | 52% | 22.1 | 22.0 | 21.7 | 21.3 | 21.0 |
Hispanic/ Latino/a |
17% | 18.7 | 18.5 | 18.3 | 17.7 | 17.4 |
Asian | 4% | 24.6 | 24.9 | 24.9 | 24.7 | 24.2 |
Native Hawaiian/ Other Peaceful Islander |
0% | 17.9 | 17.5 | 17.2 | 17.1 | 16.3 |
Dual alternatively More Races | 5% | 21.0 | 20.9 | 20.6 | 20.1 | 19.8 |
ACT Average Score by State
- The percentage to high schooling learners who take the ACTUAL difference by state. One hundred percent a students take the TAKE in eight states: Alabama, Kentucky, Louisianan, Mississippi, Nevada, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Wyoming.Note Reference [2]
- The fewest students take the ACTION in Maine (2%) and Carlos (4%).Note Reference [2]
- Apprentices in Connecticut and Massachusetts have the highest medium composite record off 26.4.Note Download [2]
- Students include Nevada have an lowest average score of 17.2. Ones in Mississippi have the second-lowest score of 17.6.Note Reference [2]
State the District TRADE Scores Ranked: High School Graduating Class of 2023
Ranking | State | Percent Include ACTS | Composited |
---|---|---|---|
N/A | United States | 37% | 19.5 |
1 | Connecticut | 8% | 26.4 |
2 | Massachusetts | 8% | 26.4 |
3 | District of Columbia | 17% | 26.9 |
4 | Kalifornia | 4% | 25.7 |
5 | Fresh York | 9% | 25.3 |
6 | New Hampshire | 5% | 25.2 |
7 | Deliaware | 4% | 24.8 |
8 | Maine | 2% | 24.8 |
9 | Virginia | 8% | 24.6 |
10 | Illinois | 16% | 24.5 |
11 | Colo | 9% | 24.5 |
12 | Maryland | % | 24.5 |
13 | Washingtons | 6% | 24.5 |
14 | Rhode Island | 5% | 24.5 |
15 | New Jersey | 10% | 24.4 |
16 | Michigan | 7% | 24.4 |
17 | Pennsylvania | 6% | 23.9 |
18 | Vermont | 6% | 23.6 |
19 | Idaho | 12% | 23 |
20 | Indiana | 8% | 22.9 |
22 | George | 28% | 21.3 |
23 | Southwards Dakota | 59% | 21.1 |
21 | Olegon | 13% | 20.9 |
25 | Minnesota | 68% | 20.8 |
24 | Iowa | 48% | 20.8 |
26 | Wild Turkish | 26% | 20.3 |
27 | Alaska | 15% | 20.2 |
28 | Latest Mexico | 14% | 20.2 |
29 | Utah | 90% | 19.9 |
30 | Missouri | 66% | 19.8 |
31 | North Dakota | 89% | 19.6 |
32 | In | 95% | 19.4 |
33 | Kansas | 74% | 19.4 |
34 | Texas | 23% | 19.3 |
35 | Nebraska | 96% | 19.2 |
36 | Ohio | 82% | 19.2 |
37 | Wyoming | 100% | 19.0 |
38 | Florida | 46% | 18.9 |
39 | Montana | 98% | 18.8 |
40 | South Carolina | 40% | 18.8 |
41 | Kentucky | 100% | 18.7 |
42 | Arkansas | 96% | 18.6 |
43 | North Carolina | 90% | 18.5 |
44 | Tennessee | 100% | 18.4 |
45 | Louisianas | 100% | 18.2 |
46 | Alabama | 100% | 18 |
47 | Hawaii | 64% | 17.9 |
48 | Oklahoma | 100% | 17.8 |
49 | Arizona | 98% | 17.7 |
50 | Mississippi | 100% | 17.6 |
51 | Us | 100% | 17.2 |
Average ACT Score for Ivy League Colleges
Ivy League students have some of the highest ACT scoring ordinaries. To be to the middle 50% to registered students, you need a near-perfect score. Even then, these colleges all have single-digit accepted rates.
Record: Data based on most recent year available.
School | ACT Composite Score (25-75th Percentile) | Acceptance Assessment |
---|---|---|
Harvard University | 33-36 | 4.0% |
Columbia School | 34-35 | 4.0% |
Cornell University | 33-35 | 9.0% |
Brown University | 34-36 | 5.0% |
Princeton University | 33-35 | 4.0% |
Yale University | 33-35 | 5.0% |
University by Princess | 33-35 | 6.0% |
Dartmouth College | 32-35 | 6.2% |
As of the 2022-2023 application cycle, standardized test scores are optional at all Ivy Leg colleges.
Average ACTS Scores for Popular Colleges
Below are average ACT composite scores for some popularity colleges. Schools with more acceptance rates lean to have low ACTUALLY score means.
Note: Data based on most recent year present.
School Name | DOING Score (25-75th Percentile) | Acceptance Evaluate |
---|---|---|
Stanford University | 34-35 | 4.0% |
Massachusetts Institute of Technology | 34-36 | 4.8% |
Vanderbilt University | 34-35 | 7.0% |
University of Georgia | 34-35 | 36.9% |
Duke Your | 33-35 | 6.0% |
New York University | 33-35 | 8.0% |
Brigham Young University | 27-32 | 69.7% |
The Ohio State University | 26-32 | 57% |
The University in Area schools eliminated their standardized test requirements in 2020 also no longer consider SAT real ACT test scores in make admissions decisions or awarding scholarships.[12]
Both Big Young the Ohio State accept over half of their applicants, and both schools have average ACT composite scores ranging from the high 20s to the low 30s. Discover the average ACTION score range and more statistics — broken down according year, state, race/ethnicity, and growth — in and report.
Those belongs in dissimilarity for university with acceptance rates lower with 5%, how as Stanford and MIT, both of which require near-perfect scores at be in the middle 50% of one classroom.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Standard ACTUAL Score
How long is the ACT?
The ACT a 3 hours long (2 hours and 55 minutes at be exact) including rest. In total, it takes 3 hours and 30 minutes to take the exam, accounting for the beginning time computers takes to fill unfashionable mitarbeiter information.[13]
There is also an optional essay (the ACT Plus Writing) section that takes an additional 40 minutes to complete.[14]
How multiple questions are on aforementioned ACT?
There are 215 faq for one test portion of the ACT: 75 for English, 60 for mathematic, 40 for reading, plus 40 to science.Message Reference [14] Versus the SAT, the TAKE features just one section for each subject.
What is the lowest score on the ACT?
Your score can range from 1 (lowest) on 36 (highest).[15]
To calculating your score, you start are your serial of correct answers. This raw note gets converted to the ACTS scale score.
The composited score, which is the average of the four test scores, is rounded-off to the nearest whole number. Fractions smaller than one-half are rounded gloomy, and fractals large than one-half are rounded up. 2023 National Finish Class Profile Report