Average ACT Score: What You Need to Know in 2026

If you're wondering what is the average act score, you're not alone. Every year, over a million students sit for the ACT, and most of them want to know exactly where they stand compared to everyone else. The national composite average has hovered around 19.5 to 20.8 for the past several years, though it dipped noticeably after 2020. That single number doesn't tell the whole story—section scores, state differences, and your target school's expectations all play a role in figuring out whether your score is strong enough.

So what is the average score on act test results nationally? The ACT itself reports a composite average each fall based on the prior graduating class. For the class of 2025, that composite sat at roughly 19.5, continuing a downward trend that's sparked plenty of debate among educators. English and Reading averages tend to run slightly higher than Math and Science, which means the "average" student isn't equally average across all four sections. You'll want to look at each section individually if you're serious about understanding your performance.

Understanding your score relative to the national average matters for a few practical reasons. First, colleges that still require or recommend the ACT use percentile ranks—not raw scores—to compare applicants. A 21 composite might sound mediocre, but it actually puts you above roughly 50% of all test-takers. Second, scholarship thresholds at many state universities start at 25 or above, which means even a few points above average can translate into real money. Throughout this guide, you'll find section-level breakdowns, state-by-state comparisons, and strategies to push your score higher regardless of where you're starting.

When people ask what is the average score on act test results, they usually want a single number. But that number shifts depending on how you slice the data. The national composite of roughly 19.5 is calculated by averaging all four section scores—English, Math, Reading, and Science—for every student who tested that year. What is the average score on act test breakdowns reveal that Reading tends to be the strongest section nationally, while Math drags the composite down for many students.

So what's the average act score when you look state by state? It varies wildly. States where the ACT is mandatory for all juniors—like Alabama, Kentucky, and Nebraska—tend to report lower averages because every student takes it, not just the college-bound ones. Meanwhile, states on the coasts where the SAT dominates often show higher ACT averages since only motivated students opt in. Connecticut's average composite, for instance, typically runs 3 to 4 points above the national mark.

Year-over-year trends also matter. The composite average peaked around 21.0 back in 2015 and has been sliding since, with the steepest drops coming during and right after the pandemic. Some of that decline reflects broader test-taking patterns—more states requiring the ACT means more low-scoring students in the pool. But it also signals genuine learning gaps that schools are still working to close, particularly in math and science.

You might be curious: what's the average act test score for someone aiming at a selective college? That depends on the school. At highly selective universities—think top-25 national rankings—the middle 50% ACT range typically falls between 32 and 35. For moderately selective schools, you're looking at 26 to 30. And for open-admission state universities, what's the average act score of admitted students often mirrors the national average or sits just a point or two above it.

What is an average act score that qualifies as "good"? Most college counselors define a good score as anything at or above the 75th percentile, which currently lands around a 24 composite. A score of 30 or above puts you in the top 7% of all test-takers, and a 34+ places you in the top 1%. These thresholds matter because percentile rank—not the raw number—is what admissions officers actually compare. Two students scoring 24 in different years occupy roughly the same percentile, even if the averages shifted.

What's the average act test score broken down by demographics? ACT Inc. publishes data by gender, race/ethnicity, and family income each year. Across the board, students from higher-income families and those whose parents hold college degrees tend to score several points above the national composite. These gaps are well-documented and persistent, driven largely by differences in access to test prep, school quality, and practice opportunities—not by any inherent ability difference.

What are the average act scores when you break them down by section? English sits around 19.0, Math at 19.2, Reading at 20.2, and Science at 19.5. That Reading advantage means most students find it easier to hit a decent score on passage-based questions than on the problem-solving sections. If you're trying to raise your composite, focusing on Math—where scores cluster lowest—often gives you the biggest return per hour of study time.

What is an average act test score for sophomores who take the test early? The PreACT, typically administered in 10th grade, produces scores on the same 1-36 scale. Sophomore averages tend to run about 2 to 3 points below the junior-year national average, which makes sense because students haven't finished their math and science coursework yet. If you scored a 17 on the PreACT as a sophomore, reaching 20+ by junior year is absolutely realistic with consistent practice.

Section-level trends also reveal study priorities. Science scores have been flat for years, partly because the ACT Science section tests data interpretation more than content knowledge. Students who practice reading graphs and tables—rather than memorizing biology facts—tend to see the fastest improvement. Meanwhile, English scores respond well to grammar drills, and Reading improves most when you build the habit of reading longer passages under time pressure.

What is average act score data telling us about long-term trends? The composite has dropped from 20.8 in 2020 to 19.5 in 2025—a full 1.3-point slide in five years. What is the average score on the act test going forward? Most analysts expect a slow recovery as pandemic-era learning gaps close, but the pre-2020 averages of 20.7 to 21.0 may not return anytime soon. Schools are still catching up on math instruction that was disrupted during remote learning.

State-mandated testing is the single biggest factor reshaping these averages. When a state adds the ACT to its required testing, the average drops because the new test-taker pool includes students who wouldn't have chosen to sit for it voluntarily. Conversely, when what's the average act test score data comes from opt-in states, it skews higher. This is why comparing your score to a national average without context can be misleading—your state's average might be a better benchmark.

Another trend worth watching: the gap between English/Reading and Math/Science averages has widened. In 2015, the spread between the highest and lowest section averages was about 0.8 points. By 2025, it's grown to roughly 1.2 points, with Reading consistently on top and Math at the bottom. This widening gap suggests that math instruction—not reading ability—is the key bottleneck holding composite scores down nationally.

What is the average score of the act for students who retake it? ACT data shows that about 57% of retakers improve their composite, with an average gain of 1.0 to 2.7 points depending on how much time passed between attempts. What is the average score on the act for students who prep seriously? Those who complete a structured course—whether online or in-person—tend to score 3 to 5 points above the national average, putting them solidly in the 24 to 26 range.

Retaking isn't just about studying harder. Many students gain points simply from reduced test anxiety and better time management. The ACT allows you to superscore—combining your best section scores from multiple sittings into a single composite—at many colleges. This means even if your second attempt only improves one section, that improvement counts everywhere you apply. It's one of the most underused strategies available to test-takers.

Timing your retake matters too. Students who wait at least 3 months between attempts and spend that time doing focused section practice see the largest gains. Those who retake within a month without changing their study approach rarely improve by more than a point. The sweet spot seems to be a 3-to-6-month gap with at least 20 hours of targeted prep in your weakest area.

What is average score for act test-takers who use free prep resources? Studies consistently show that even free tools like official ACT practice tests and Khan Academy produce measurable score gains. What is the average score for act test results among students who do nothing? Those who walk in cold typically land right at or slightly below the national average—which makes sense, since the average itself includes plenty of unprepared students pulling the number down.

The cost of prep doesn't always correlate with results. A student who spends $2,000 on private tutoring might gain 4 points, while another who uses free resources strategically gains 3. The key variable isn't money—it's consistency. Studying for 30 minutes a day over 8 weeks beats cramming for 10 hours the weekend before your test. What is an average act score after dedicated prep? Most structured programs report that students who complete the full curriculum average around 23 to 25, which is 3 to 5 points above the national composite.

Don't overlook the value of practice test analysis. Taking a practice exam isn't enough—you need to review every wrong answer and understand why you missed it. Was it a content gap, a careless mistake, or a timing issue? Each diagnosis points to a different fix. Content gaps need study. Careless mistakes need slower pacing. Timing issues need practice with section-specific strategies like skipping hard questions and returning to them later.

What is the average pre act score for a freshman compared to juniors? Freshmen who take a practice ACT or early diagnostic typically score between 14 and 17, which is 3 to 5 points below the junior-year national average. That gap closes naturally through coursework—by the time you've finished Algebra II and a year of lab science, your baseline rises without any test-specific prep. So if you're a freshman looking at a 15, don't panic. You've got two full years of classroom instruction ahead of you.

What's an average act score for students in different grade levels? Sophomores who take the PreACT average around 17 to 18, while juniors hit the national average of 19 to 20. Seniors who retake tend to score 1 to 2 points above the junior-year average because they've had additional coursework and often more prep time. The takeaway: your score naturally climbs as you progress through high school, and strategic prep accelerates that climb.

Early testing also helps with goal-setting. If you know your baseline as a freshman or sophomore, you can plan a realistic prep timeline. A student scoring 16 in 10th grade who wants a 25 by junior year needs to gain 9 points over 12 to 18 months. That's ambitious but achievable with the right plan—roughly 2 to 3 points from natural academic growth and another 6 to 7 from targeted ACT prep. Starting early gives you the runway to make it happen.

What is the average act composite for students applying to different tiers of colleges? At Ivy League and equivalent schools, the middle 50% ACT range runs from 33 to 35. At flagship state universities, it's typically 25 to 30. At regional public colleges, admitted students often average between 20 and 24. Knowing these ranges helps you build a balanced college list—a mix of reach, match, and safety schools based on where your score falls relative to each school's profile.

What is the average act score in the us compared to other countries where the ACT is offered? International test-takers—mostly in East Asia, the Middle East, and parts of Africa—tend to average slightly higher composites because the ACT isn't mandatory in those regions. Only highly motivated, college-bound students choose to sit for it. Domestically, the US average reflects a much broader cross-section of students, including those required by their state to take the test regardless of college plans.

The ACT also publishes average scores by intended major. STEM-track students typically average 22 to 23 on the composite, while humanities students come in around 20 to 21. Engineering and computer science applicants often score highest on Math (averaging 24+) but lower on English and Reading. These patterns can help you gauge where you stand relative to students pursuing similar academic paths, which is more useful than comparing yourself to the overall national average.

What is the average act test score for students who take the writing section? The optional Writing test is scored separately on a 2-12 scale, with the average landing around 6.5. It doesn't factor into your composite, but some colleges still request it. Since fewer students take Writing, the pool is self-selected—meaning the average Writing score reflects a more motivated group than the overall ACT population.

What is the act average for students at your target school? That's the number that actually matters for your application. Every college publishes its middle 50% ACT range in its Common Data Set or on its admissions page. If a school's range is 27-32, scoring below 27 puts you at a disadvantage, while scoring above 32 gives you a boost. Aiming for the 75th percentile of a school's range is a solid strategy—it means your score is stronger than three-quarters of enrolled students.

Don't forget that the ACT is just one piece of your application. A score slightly below a school's average can be offset by strong grades, compelling essays, and meaningful extracurriculars. Conversely, a high ACT score can't fully compensate for a weak transcript. The best approach is to get your score as high as realistically possible through focused prep, then let the rest of your application carry its own weight. Balance is everything in college admissions.