ACT Score Percentiles 2026:Where Does Your Score Rank Nationally?
- Edu Shaale
- Apr 26
- 21 min read
Full Percentile Table · Section Ranks · Score Bands · University Benchmarks · What Your Score Means · India Guide
Published: April 2026 | Updated: April 2026 | ~13 min read
19.4 National average ACT composite (Class 2025) | 50th %ile Falls between composite 18 and 19 | 99th %ile Requires composite 34 or higher | 1–36 ACT composite and section score scale |
~1.4M Students tested in the Class of 2025 | 1–5 pts Composite gain = 5–10 percentile jump (mid) | 3 Sections Now form composite (Enhanced ACT 2025+) | 3 Years Graduates averaged for National Rank tables |
Table of Contents
Introduction: Your Score Is a Number — Your Percentile Is Your Position
An ACT score of 26 tells you almost nothing by itself. Is 26 good? Is it competitive? Does it qualify for merit scholarships? The answers depend entirely on context — specifically, where 26 falls relative to everyone else who took the test.
That context is your percentile, which ACT calls your National Rank. If your composite is 26, your National Rank is approximately 82 — meaning you scored equal to or higher than 82% of recent high school graduates who took the ACT. Now you have a real picture of where you stand.
This guide gives you the complete 2025–2026 ACT percentile picture: the full composite and section percentile tables, how to interpret every score band, what specific percentiles mean for university applications, how the Enhanced ACT (2025) affects the numbers, and how to use your percentile strategically for retake planning.
1. What Are ACT Score Percentiles? — The Foundation
Term | Definition | Example |
National Rank (Percentile) | The percentage of recent high school graduates who took the ACT and scored at or below your level | National Rank 82 = you scored equal to or higher than 82% of test-takers; 18% scored higher than you |
How it differs from a grade | A percentile is NOT a percentage of questions correct — it is a relative position | Getting 70% of questions correct would typically place you around the 75th–80th percentile, not the 70th |
How it is calculated | ACT uses a rolling three-year sample of high school graduates — for 2025–2026 reporting, this means Class of 2023, 2024, and 2025 graduates | Your percentile is recalculated annually as new graduating classes are tested |
Which scores get percentiles | Composite; English; Math; Reading; Science (separate); STEM composite (if Science taken); ELA composite (if Writing taken) | Each score type has its own percentile — a 30 in Reading has a different percentile than a 30 composite |
Subscore percentiles | As of 2025, ACT no longer publishes percentile ranks for individual subscores | Composite and section percentiles remain fully published; subscore percentiles discontinued |
The Most Important Percentile Fact: On the ACT's 1–36 scale, moving 1 composite point in the middle range (scores 18–28) typically shifts your percentile by 3–7 positions. This means targeted preparation producing even a 2–3 point composite gain can move a student from below-average to above-average relative to the full test-taking population.
2. How ACT National Ranks Are Calculated
Calculation Element | Detail |
Data source | ACT-tested high school graduates over the most recent three-year period (2023, 2024, and 2025 graduates for the 2025–2026 reporting year) |
Why three years? | Averaging across three graduating classes smooths year-to-year fluctuations and provides stable, representative benchmarks |
When updated | National Ranks are updated annually — the current tables apply to ACT tests taken from September 2025 through August 2026 |
What 'at or below' means | A National Rank of 72 for a composite of 22 means 72% of test-takers scored 22 or lower — including those who scored exactly 22 |
Enhanced ACT impact | Starting September 2025, the composite is calculated from English, Math, and Reading only (Science excluded). National Ranks for the 2025–2026 year reflect this new calculation for all tests taken from September 2025. |
Where to find official tables |
3. The Complete ACT Score Percentile Table 2026
The table below shows ACT National Ranks for the 2025–2026 reporting year. All percentiles are based on the composite of English, Math, and Reading (Enhanced ACT format). Section percentiles are shown for comparison. Colour coding reflects performance band.
ACT NATIONAL RANKS 2025–2026 (September 2025 – August 2026 | Based on Class of 2023, 2024 & 2025 Graduates)
Score | Composite %tile | English %tile | Math %tile | Reading %tile | Science %tile |
36 | 99+ | 99+ | 99+ | 99+ | 99+ |
35 | 99 | 99 | 99 | 99 | 99 |
34 | 99 | 99 | 99 | 99 | 99 |
33 | 98 | 99 | 98 | 98 | 98 |
32 | 97 | 98 | 96 | 97 | 97 |
31 | 96 | 97 | 94 | 96 | 96 |
30 | 93 | 95 | 91 | 93 | 93 |
29 | 90 | 93 | 88 | 90 | 91 |
28 | 86 | 90 | 84 | 87 | 88 |
27 | 82 | 87 | 80 | 83 | 84 |
26 | 78 | 83 | 75 | 79 | 80 |
25 | 73 | 79 | 70 | 74 | 75 |
24 | 68 | 74 | 65 | 69 | 70 |
23 | 63 | 68 | 60 | 64 | 65 |
22 | 58 | 63 | 55 | 59 | 60 |
21 | 52 | 57 | 50 | 54 | 55 |
20 | 47 | 52 | 45 | 49 | 50 |
19 | 41 | 47 | 40 | 44 | 45 |
18 | 35 | 41 | 34 | 38 | 39 |
17 | 29 | 34 | 28 | 32 | 33 |
16 | 23 | 28 | 22 | 26 | 27 |
15 | 18 | 22 | 17 | 21 | 22 |
14 | 13 | 17 | 12 | 16 | 16 |
13 | 9 | 12 | 8 | 11 | 12 |
12 | 6 | 8 | 5 | 7 | 8 |
11 | 3 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
10 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2 |
1–9 | < 1 | < 1 | < 1 | < 1 | < 1 |
Data sources: ACT Official National Ranks for the 2025–2026 reporting year; PrepScholar ACT percentile data 2025; LarryLearns ACT average and percentile guide 2026. Section percentiles are approximate — the exact section percentile for a given score differs from the composite percentile for the same number. Always refer to your official score report for your exact National Rank.
4. ACT Section Score Percentiles 2026
Each ACT section has its own percentile distribution. A score of 28 in Reading has a different National Rank than a 28 composite. This matters for understanding which specific sections are your strongest and where targeted improvement produces the most percentile value.
Score | English Percentile | Math Percentile | Reading Percentile | Science Percentile |
36 | 99+ | 99+ | 99+ | 99+ |
35 | 99 | 99 | 99 | 99 |
34 | 99 | 99 | 98 | 99 |
32 | 98 | 98 | 97 | 98 |
30 | 95 | 93 | 91 | 93 |
28 | 90 | 86 | 84 | 88 |
26 | 83 | 78 | 75 | 80 |
24 | 74 | 67 | 65 | 70 |
22 | 63 | 56 | 55 | 60 |
20 | 52 | 45 | 45 | 50 |
18 | 41 | 33 | 34 | 39 |
16 | 28 | 22 | 22 | 27 |
14 | 17 | 12 | 12 | 16 |
12 | 8 | 5 | 5 | 8 |
10 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
Section percentiles differ from composite percentiles for the same score. A 28 composite = ~86th percentile. A 28 in Reading = ~87th percentile. A 28 in Math = ~86th percentile. The differences are small but real — understanding which of your sections is strongest at the percentile level helps you prioritise preparation and decide which sections to emphasise in a retake.
5. The ACT Score Band Guide — 6 Tiers Explained
Six performance bands cover the full 1–36 range, each with distinct implications for college admissions:
EXCEPTIONAL · Score: 34–36 · Percentile: 99th+ · Top 1%
Competitive at the most selective universities in the United States. Top 1% nationally. Less than 5,000–10,000 students nationally score in this range each year. For context: median ACT at Harvard is 34, MIT is 35, Princeton is 35. Scores in this band represent true mastery across all tested content domains.
EXCELLENT · Score: 31–33 · Percentile: 96th–98th · Top 2–4%
Very strong — competitive at most selective universities. Top 2–4% nationally. Students in this range are competitive applicants at schools like Duke, Vanderbilt, Carnegie Mellon, and Georgetown. Significant merit scholarship potential at many universities.
STRONG · Score: 27–30 · Percentile: 82nd–93rd · Top 7–18%
Well above average — competitive at many selective schools, strong at most state universities. Top 7–18% nationally. Merit scholarships available at many institutions. Students in this range are well-positioned for a broad range of US university options.
GOOD · Score: 23–26 · Percentile: 63rd–78th · Top 22–37%
Above the national average. Top 22–37% nationally. Competitive at a wide range of universities including many state flagships. Students in this range have strong options across most accessible and mid-tier institutions. Merit scholarships available at many lower-to-mid-tier schools.
AVERAGE · Score: 19–22 · Percentile: 41st–58th · Middle half
Around the national average (19.4 composite). 41st–58th percentile. Meets minimum requirements at many accessible four-year universities. Students in this range benefit most from preparation to move into the 'Good' band, which opens significantly more options.
BELOW AVERAGE · Score: 1–18 · Percentile: 1st–35th · Bottom 35%
Below the national average. 1st–35th percentile. Significant preparation recommended before retaking. Students in this range should focus intensively on content fundamentals across all three composite sections before their next attempt.
6. The National Average ACT Score in 2026
Average Type | Score | Percentile | Notes |
National average composite (Class of 2025) | 19.4 | ~52nd percentile | Based on approximately 1.4 million test-takers; declining slowly from 21.0 in 2015 |
Average English section score | 18.4 | ~41st percentile (within section) | English is typically the section where students score lowest relative to other sections |
Average Math section score | 18.9 | ~38th percentile (within section) | Math average has been declining — the gap below the readiness benchmark (22) is significant |
Average Reading section score | 20.0 | ~47th percentile (within section) | Reading average is slightly higher than English and Math |
Average Science section score | 19.6 | ~47th percentile (within section) | Science now optional (Enhanced ACT Sep 2025); historical average shown |
50th percentile composite | ~18–19 | 50th | The true median — half score at or below 18–19, half score at or above |
College readiness benchmark (English) | 18 | ~41st percentile | Minimum score indicating readiness for college-level English composition |
College readiness benchmark (Math) | 22 | ~57th percentile | Minimum score for college-level algebra readiness — notably higher than the national average |
College readiness benchmark (Reading) | 22 | ~55th percentile | Minimum score for college-level social science reading |
College readiness benchmark (Science) | 23 | ~62nd percentile | Minimum score for college-level biology readiness (optional section) |
An important benchmark failure: Only about 30% of ACT test-takers met three or more of the four College Readiness Benchmarks. Approximately 43% met none at all. This means that the average ACT test-taker — at 19.4 composite — falls below the college readiness threshold in Math, Reading, and Science. Meeting all four benchmarks places a student significantly above average.
7. What Is a Good ACT Score? — Goal-Relative Framework
'Good' is always defined by your target — not by a universal number. Here is the three-step framework for determining YOUR good score:
Find the Middle 50% ACT Range for Each Target University
Every university publishes the ACT scores of its middle 50% of admitted students (the 25th to 75th percentile range of their admitted class) in its Common Data Set. Search '[University Name] Common Data Set 2025' to find this.
Set Your Target at the 75th Percentile
Scoring at or above the 75th percentile of admitted students means you are academically competitive on test scores with the majority of the admitted class. This is your minimum meaningful target for each university.
Build Your Score Range
Your target score range is: Dream school 75th percentile → Safety school 25th percentile. This gives you the full spectrum of scores that serve your application list.
University Tier | Typical Middle 50% ACT | Your Target Composite | Corresponding Percentile |
Ivy League / Top 5 | 34–36 | 35+ | 99th |
Top 10 universities | 33–35 | 34+ | 99th |
Top 25 universities | 31–34 | 33+ | 98th–99th |
Top 50 universities | 29–33 | 31+ | 96th–98th |
Top 100 universities | 26–31 | 29+ | 90th–96th |
Strong state universities | 24–30 | 27+ | 82nd–93rd |
Average state universities | 20–26 | 24+ | 68th–79th |
Accessible universities | 17–23 | 21+ | 52nd–63rd |
Test-optional (if submitting) | — | Submit only if ≥ 50th %ile for that school | Varies by school |
8. ACT Percentile by University Tier
University | Typical Median ACT | Middle 50% Range | Composite Percentile (Median) |
MIT | 35 | 34–36 | 99th |
Harvard | 35 | 34–36 | 99th |
Princeton | 35 | 33–36 | 99th |
Yale | 35 | 33–36 | 99th |
Caltech | 36 | 35–36 | 99th+ |
Stanford | 35 | 34–36 | 99th |
Duke | 35 | 33–36 | 99th |
University of Chicago | 35 | 33–36 | 99th |
Northwestern | 34 | 33–35 | 99th |
Vanderbilt | 34 | 33–35 | 99th |
Carnegie Mellon | 34 | 33–35 | 99th |
Rice | 34 | 33–35 | 99th |
Amherst College | 34 | 33–35 | 99th |
Georgetown | 32 | 30–34 | 97th |
University of Michigan | 33 | 31–35 | 98th |
UCLA | 33 | 29–35 | 98th |
UC Berkeley | 33 | 28–35 | 98th |
UNC Chapel Hill | 29 | 27–32 | 90th |
Ohio State | 28 | 25–31 | 86th |
Penn State | 26 | 24–29 | 78th |
Florida State | 28 | 26–31 | 86th |
Many public universities | 22–26 | 20–28 | 58th–78th |
✅ Middle 50% Range Strategy: If your score falls below the 25th percentile of a university's admitted class, you are applying as a score-reach candidate — other application elements must be particularly strong. If you fall above the 75th percentile, your test score is a strength — and you can shift application energy to other components.
9. How Section Percentiles Differ from Composite Percentiles
One of the most counterintuitive aspects of ACT percentiles is that the same numerical score has different percentiles depending on which section it represents. A 28 composite is at approximately the 86th percentile — but a 28 in English is at approximately the 90th percentile.
Score | Composite %tile | English %tile | Math %tile | Reading %tile | Science %tile | Key Insight |
30 | 93rd | 95th | 91st | 87th | 93rd | 30 is 'harder to achieve' in Reading than Math at this level |
28 | 86th | 90th | 86th | 84th | 88th | 28 composite and 28 Math are nearly equivalent percentiles |
26 | 78th | 83rd | 78th | 75th | 80th | Reading 26 is relatively easier vs other sections |
24 | 68th | 74th | 67th | 65th | 70th | English has widest percentile for same score vs Reading |
22 | 58th | 63rd | 56th | 55th | 60th | Composite 22 = 58th; Math 22 = 56th (closer to median) |
20 | 47th | 52nd | 45th | 45th | 50th | Average zone — composite 20 ≈ Science 20 for percentile |
Why do these differ? Each section has a different distribution of scores among test-takers. The English section tends to have a higher average distribution of scores at the upper end — meaning a 30 in English is relatively more common than a 30 in Reading. This is why section percentiles are not identical even for the same score number.
10. The Enhanced ACT 2025 — How Science Exclusion Changes Percentiles
The Enhanced ACT (April 2025 for online tests; September 2025 for paper) removed Science from the composite calculation. This has important implications for how percentiles are understood:
Element | Legacy ACT (Before April 2025) | Enhanced ACT (April 2025 Online / Sep 2025 Paper) | Percentile Impact |
Composite formula | (English + Math + Reading + Science) ÷ 4 | (English + Math + Reading) ÷ 3 | The composite distribution shifts because fewer sections are averaged — students strong in Science but weak in core sections may see composite changes |
Science in composite | Included | Excluded from composite — reported separately | A student who was pulled down by low Science scores may now have a higher composite — and therefore a higher composite percentile |
Science percentile | Part of composite context | Standalone score with its own percentile | Science still has its own National Rank — and STEM score (Science + Math average) has its own percentile |
Superscore change | Included Science | Science excluded from superscore calculation | Students superscoring should verify which format's rules apply — pre/post-April 2025 tests may mix formats |
National Rank table update | Based on old 4-section formula | Based on new 3-section formula | ACT states the scores are 'comparable and interchangeable' — but exact percentile equivalence data across the transition has not yet been published |
⚠️ If you took the ACT before September 2025 (paper) or April 2025 (online) and are comparing your score to National Ranks from the 2025–2026 table, be aware that the percentile table reflects the Enhanced ACT formula. Your legacy ACT composite may not map exactly to the new percentile table because it was calculated with Science included. Use the concordance tables ACT has provided for cross-format comparisons.
11. ACT vs SAT Percentile Concordance
ACT and SAT percentiles are not directly comparable because the two tests have different test-taking populations — but ACT and College Board have published concordance tables that allow approximate cross-test comparison.
ACT Composite | ACT Percentile | SAT Equivalent (approx.) | SAT Percentile (approx.) | Notes |
36 | 99+ | 1590–1600 | 99+ | Near-perfect on both scales |
35 | 99 | 1560–1580 | 99 | Top 1% |
34 | 99 | 1530–1550 | 99 | Top 2% |
33 | 98 | 1490–1520 | 99 | Top 2–3% |
32 | 97 | 1460–1490 | 98 | Top 3–4% |
31 | 96 | 1430–1460 | 97 | Top 4–5% |
30 | 93 | 1400–1430 | 95 | Top 5–7% |
28 | 86 | 1330–1360 | 90 | Strong range |
26 | 78 | 1260–1290 | 83 | Above average |
24 | 68 | 1180–1210 | 74 | Above average |
22 | 58 | 1110–1140 | 63 | Near national average |
20 | 47 | 1020–1050 | 50 | Around median |
18 | 35 | 940–970 | 38 | Below average |
These concordance figures are approximate based on ACT-College Board concordance research. A student with ACT 30 is approximately in the same performance range as a student with SAT 1400 — but the tests are not equivalent instruments. Use concordance as a rough guide, not as a precise conversion.
12. Historical ACT Average Score Trends
Graduating Class | National Average Composite | Trend | Context |
Class of 2015 | 21.0 | — | Highest recent average — peak of ACT participation era |
Class of 2017 | 21.0 | Stable | Still at peak; widespread state-mandated testing beginning |
Class of 2019 | 20.7 | Slight decline | State-mandated testing expanding; more diverse test-taker pool |
Class of 2021 | 20.3 | Declining | COVID-19 disruptions; reduced testing; score interpretation complex |
Class of 2022 | 19.8 | Continued decline | Post-COVID recovery; broadened test-taking population |
Class of 2023 | 19.5 | Stabilising | First signs of stabilisation; similar to prior year |
Class of 2024 | 19.4 | Stable | Further stabilisation; Enhanced ACT transition begins |
Class of 2025 | 19.4 | Stable | Most recent data; Enhanced ACT online from April 2025 |
Class of 2026 (projected) | ~19.0–19.5 | Enhanced ACT paper from Sep 2025 | First full year of paper Enhanced ACT; comparable scores expected per ACT |
The decline from 21.0 in 2015 to 19.4 today reflects primarily a broader, more diverse test-taking pool (as state-mandated testing expanded) rather than declining academic performance nationally. States that mandatorily test all juniors pull the average down because they include students who would not otherwise choose to take the ACT.
13. How to Use Your Percentile to Plan a Retake
Find Your Current Percentile
Use the table in Section 3 or your official ACT score report. Note your composite percentile AND each section's percentile separately.
Find Your Target Percentile
Look up your top target university's 25th and 75th percentile ACT composite from their Common Data Set. The 75th percentile is your primary target. Convert to a composite score target.
Calculate Your Percentile Gap
Gap = Target percentile − Current percentile. Example: Currently at 72nd percentile (22 composite); target university 75th percentile is 29 composite (90th percentile). Gap = 18 percentile positions = 7 composite points needed.
Identify the Highest-Leverage Section
Which section has the biggest gap between your section percentile and the composite percentile you need? That section is your retake preparation priority.
Set a Preparation Timeline
Use the composite-to-percentile table to calculate how many composite points you need and approximately how many hours of preparation each point requires. Allow 3–4 months minimum between attempts for meaningful improvement.
Percentile Gap to Target | Composite Points Needed (approx.) | Preparation Needed | Realistic Timeline |
Less than 5 percentile positions | 1–2 composite points | Refinement: pacing, timing, hard question strategy | 4–6 weeks intensive |
5–10 percentile positions | 2–4 composite points | Targeted domain work in weakest section | 6–10 weeks focused |
10–20 percentile positions | 4–7 composite points | Section-level content review + full practice tests | 3–4 months |
20–30 percentile positions | 7–11 composite points | Comprehensive preparation — content + strategy | 4–6 months |
30+ percentile positions | 11+ composite points | Foundational preparation — structured programme strongly recommended | 6+ months |
14. ACT Percentile for Indian and International Students
Indian and international students often ask how their ACT percentile compares to what US universities expect — and whether the same national percentile benchmarks apply to them.
Question | Answer |
Do the same percentile benchmarks apply to Indian students? | Yes — ACT percentiles are calculated on the same national scale regardless of where you tested. A composite of 28 = 86th percentile for all students, including those in India. |
Do US universities treat Indian students' ACT scores differently? | No — the same score range is evaluated regardless of nationality. A 32 from an Indian student and a 32 from a US student are given the same weight in ACT score evaluation. |
What percentile should Indian students target? | The same percentile target as any applicant to the same university. For Top 25 US schools: 98th+ (composite 33+). For Top 50: 96th+ (composite 31+). For state universities: 78th+ (composite 26+). |
Are international students disadvantaged on English sections? | The ACT English and Reading sections test academic English at a level most well-educated international students can master with preparation. CBSE students in particular have strong grammar foundations that transfer directly to ACT English. |
CBSE student strengths on ACT | CBSE students typically have a preparation advantage in ACT Math (CBSE Maths 12 covers most ACT Math content) and ACT Science reasoning (CBSE Physics/Chemistry analytical skills transfer). English and Reading may require additional preparation. |
Which percentile to aim for as an Indian student? | The same as the university's 75th percentile of admitted students — there is no separate Indian student percentile target. Research each target university's Middle 50% ACT range and aim for the 75th percentile. |
India Insight: CBSE students' strongest ACT sections are typically Math and Science (data interpretation). Most preparation effort should go to ACT English (grammar conventions) and ACT Reading (passage analysis strategy) — sections where CBSE preparation overlaps less directly with ACT question formats.
15. How to Improve Your ACT Percentile
Every composite point in the 18–28 range shifts your percentile by approximately 3–7 positions — making even a 2–3 point improvement meaningfully impactful. Here is the most effective approach:
The Percentile Leverage Points
Score Improvement | Percentile Impact | Preparation Focus |
18 → 21 (3 points) | ~41st → ~52nd (+11 percentiles) | Foundational content in all three composite sections; timing; format familiarity |
21 → 24 (3 points) | ~52nd → ~68th (+16 percentiles) | High return zone — strong content mastery in weakest section is the priority |
24 → 27 (3 points) | ~68th → ~82nd (+14 percentiles) | Section-specific strategy; hard question approach; module confidence |
27 → 30 (3 points) | ~82nd → ~93rd (+11 percentiles) | Precision work — minimal careless errors; hard question targeting |
30 → 33 (3 points) | ~93rd → ~98th (+5 percentiles) | Expert-level: near-zero error tolerance; perfecting timing; hard question mastery |
33 → 36 (3 points) | ~98th → 99th+ (+1–2 percentiles) | Diminishing percentile returns — but maximum admissions differentiation at elite schools |
High-Impact Preparation Strategies by Section
English: Focus on the 12 core ACT grammar rules (punctuation, agreement, modifiers, parallelism, transitions). 70–80% of English points come from grammar conventions — mastering the rules is the highest return preparation activity.
Math: Build Desmos graphing calculator fluency for online tests. Master Algebra, Functions, and Statistics (these three domains produce the most questions). Time your practice — ACT Math is 50 minutes for 45 questions, approximately 67 seconds per question.
Reading: Develop a consistent passage-engagement strategy. For most students, reading the passage first (focused, not skimming) before answering questions produces more correct answers than reading questions first. Time management across 4 passages in 40 minutes is the primary Reading challenge.
Science (if taking): Science tests data interpretation — not biology, chemistry, or physics facts. Practice reading graphs, tables, and experimental designs quickly. Data Representation passages are fastest; Research Summary passages are most time-consuming; Conflicting Viewpoints passages reward careful reading.
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16. Frequently Asked Questions (12 FAQs)
What is the 50th percentile ACT score in 2026?
The 50th percentile ACT composite falls between 18 and 19 for the 2025–2026 reporting year, based on the Class of 2023, 2024, and 2025 graduates. This means approximately half of all ACT test-takers scored at or below 18–19. The national average composite is 19.4, which corresponds to approximately the 52nd percentile. A composite of 20 places a student at approximately the 47th percentile.
What ACT score is in the 99th percentile?
A composite score of 34 or higher is in the 99th percentile for the 2025–2026 reporting year. Scores of 35 and 36 are also in the 99th percentile (or 99th+), as the scale does not differentiate between them at the top. Fewer than 1% of all ACT test-takers achieve a 34 or above nationally — roughly fewer than 14,000–20,000 students per year out of approximately 1.4 million test-takers.
Is a 25 ACT score good?
A composite of 25 corresponds to approximately the 73rd percentile — meaning you scored equal to or higher than 73% of all ACT test-takers. This is a solidly above-average score. It is competitive at many state universities and a wide range of private colleges. For selective universities (Top 25–50), a 25 falls below the typical admitted student range. For Top 100 universities, a 25 may be at or just below the 25th percentile of admitted students at some schools.
What is a good ACT score for Ivy League universities?
Ivy League and equivalent universities (MIT, Stanford, Caltech) typically have median ACT composites of 34–35, with most admitted students scoring between 33 and 36. This corresponds to the 98th–99th percentile nationally. A composite below 33 places a student well below the typical score range of admitted students at these institutions, though test scores are only one component of holistic admissions.
How does one ACT composite point change your percentile?
In the middle range of the scale (scores 18–28), each composite point shift typically moves your percentile by approximately 3–7 positions. For example, moving from 22 (58th percentile) to 23 (63rd percentile) is a 5-percentile jump from one composite point. In the higher range (30–33), each composite point produces a smaller percentile shift — moving from 32 (97th) to 33 (98th) is only 1 percentile position. This is why preparation in the middle range produces the greatest percentile return per point gained.
Do ACT percentiles change every year?
Yes — ACT updates its National Rank tables annually using a rolling three-year average of graduating class test-takers. The 2025–2026 tables (applied to tests from September 2025 through August 2026) are based on Class of 2023, 2024, and 2025 graduates. The percentile for a given score can shift slightly year to year as the test-taking population changes. A score of 22 was approximately the 71st–72nd percentile in 2024–2025 and remains approximately the 58th–63rd percentile range in 2025–2026.
Does the Enhanced ACT (2025) affect percentiles?
Yes — because the Enhanced ACT composite is now calculated from three sections (English, Math, Reading) instead of four (with Science excluded), the composite distribution has shifted. ACT states that the new composite scores are 'comparable and interchangeable' with Legacy ACT composites. However, students who were significantly stronger or weaker in Science may see their effective composite change under the new calculation. The first full-year percentile data reflecting the enhanced format will be published in 2026.
What is a good ACT score for merit scholarships?
Scholarship thresholds vary by institution. Common benchmarks: many state universities offer automatic merit scholarships for composites of 27–30. Selective scholarship programmes often require 30+. Full-tuition merit scholarships at many schools require 32+. Specific examples: University of Alabama offers full-tuition scholarships for ACT 32+; University of Oklahoma offers significant merit aid from ACT 27+. Research each specific scholarship programme's stated requirements — thresholds vary widely.
How do ACT section percentiles compare to composite percentiles?
They differ — the same numerical score has different percentiles depending on which section it represents. A composite of 28 is at approximately the 86th percentile. A 28 in English is at approximately the 90th percentile. A 28 in Reading is at approximately the 84th percentile. These differences reflect the different score distributions within each section — English scores at the upper end are slightly more concentrated than Reading scores, making a high English score somewhat 'rarer' relative to the English section's own distribution.
What ACT score do I need to beat the national average?
The national average composite is 19.4 (Class of 2025). Any composite of 20 or above exceeds the national average. A composite of 20 places a student at approximately the 47th–50th percentile — right around the median. A composite of 21 is already above the national average at approximately the 52nd percentile. To comfortably beat the national average and enter 'good' territory, target a composite of 23 or above (approximately 63rd percentile).
Does ACT calculate percentiles for superscored composites?
No. ACT publishes National Ranks only for composites earned on a single test sitting — not for constructed superscores. If you want to know approximately where your superscore would rank, you can look up that composite in the percentile table as an estimate. However, the official percentile on your score report corresponds to each individual test date's composite, not a cross-date superscore.
How should I use my ACT percentile for college admissions decisions?
Use your composite percentile to determine where you fall relative to each university's admitted class. For a given university, find the 25th and 75th percentile ACT composites from their Common Data Set. If your score is above the 75th percentile, test scores are a strength in your application. If between the 25th and 75th, you are in the competitive range. If below the 25th, your score is a potential weakness that other application elements should compensate for — or consider whether the university is a reach on test scores and plan accordingly.
17. EduShaale — Expert ACT Coaching
EduShaale helps students across India understand exactly where their ACT score ranks — and build targeted preparation plans that move them into the percentile range their target universities expect.
Percentile-Driven Goal Setting: We help students identify their target university composite ranges, convert them to target percentiles, and build preparation plans that close the specific gap — not generic score improvement.
Section Percentile Analysis: Beyond composite, we analyse section percentiles from every score report to identify which section produces the most composite upside per preparation hour — allocating student time to maximum percentile-impact activities.
CBSE-to-ACT Preparation: CBSE students' native strengths (Math, Science reasoning) typically produce strong section percentiles in ACT Math and Science with less preparation than English and Reading. We allocate preparation time accordingly — building on the CBSE advantage rather than treating all sections equally.
Enhanced ACT Format: Our preparation reflects the current Enhanced ACT (3-section composite, Science optional, new question counts and timing). Students who prepare from pre-2025 materials are training for a test that no longer exists in its original form.
Retake Percentile Targeting: For retake students, we use their current percentile and target percentile to calculate the exact composite gap, which section needs the most targeted work, and which test date gives the optimal preparation window.
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EduShaale's approach: A score of 26 isn't good or bad in the abstract. It's the 78th percentile — which is excellent for state universities and below average for top 25 schools. Know your percentile. Know your target percentile. Build the gap-closing plan from there.
18. References & Resources
Official ACT Resources
ACT Percentile Guides & Calculators
EduShaale ACT Resources
© 2026 EduShaale | edushaale.com | info@edushaale.com | +91 9019525923
ACT® is a registered trademark of ACT, Inc. Percentile data based on ACT National Ranks 2025–2026 reporting year (September 2025–August 2026). All figures accurate as of April 2026 — verify at act.org. This guide is for educational purposes only.
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