Understanding ACT Score Percentiles: What Your Score Means

Your ACT composite score tells you how many questions you answered correctly, but percentile rankings reveal what that score actually means in the context of other test-takers. Understanding ACT percentiles helps you interpret your performance, set realistic goals, and make informed decisions about college admissions and test retakes.

What Are ACT Percentiles?

ACT percentiles show the percentage of test-takers who scored at or below your score. For example, if you scored in the 75th percentile, you performed better than 75% of all students who took the ACT. Percentiles provide context that raw scores alone cannot offer, allowing you to understand where you stand relative to your peers.

The ACT releases percentile rankings annually, updating them based on the most recent test-taking population. These rankings help colleges compare applicants from different testing cohorts and help students understand their competitive position.

How ACT Percentiles Work

ACT percentiles are calculated by comparing your composite score to a national distribution of scores. The ACT uses a normal distribution curve, meaning most scores cluster around the middle (typically around 20-21), with fewer scores at the extremes.

Example Percentile Breakdown:

• 36 (Composite): 99th percentile or higher – Exceptional performance
• 30: 93rd percentile – Strong performance, competitive for most colleges
• 25: 78th percentile – Above average, solid performance
• 21: 50th percentile – Average performance
• 16: 25th percentile – Below average, room for improvement
• 12: 10th percentile – Well below average

These percentiles help you understand that a score of 25, while it might seem average, actually places you above three-quarters of test-takers.

Why Percentiles Matter More Than Raw Scores

Raw scores (the number of questions you answered correctly) can be misleading because they don't account for test difficulty or the performance of other students. Percentiles provide meaningful context:

1. College Admissions Perspective

Colleges use percentiles to understand your performance relative to other applicants. A score of 28 might seem modest, but if it places you in the 88th percentile, admissions officers recognize your strong performance.

2. Scholarship Eligibility

Many scholarship programs set percentile-based requirements rather than score-based requirements. Understanding your percentile helps you identify scholarship opportunities and assess your eligibility.

3. Test Retake Decisions

If you scored a 24 (76th percentile), you might wonder if retaking is worthwhile. Knowing that a 26 (83rd percentile) or 28 (88th percentile) would significantly improve your competitive position helps inform your decision.

Section Score Percentiles

Each ACT section has its own percentile rankings, which can reveal strengths and weaknesses:

English Section:

• High percentiles in English suggest strong grammar and writing skills
• Useful for students pursuing humanities or writing-intensive majors

Math Section:

• Math percentiles are particularly important for STEM programs
• Engineering and science programs often focus heavily on math percentile rankings

Reading Section:

• Strong reading percentiles indicate excellent comprehension skills
• Important for all majors, especially those requiring extensive reading

Science Section:

• Science percentiles reflect reasoning and data interpretation skills
• Critical for pre-med, pre-vet, and science majors

Analyzing your section percentiles helps you identify areas for improvement and highlight strengths in college applications.

Composite Score Percentiles by College Tier

Different types of colleges look for different percentile ranges:

Highly Selective Colleges (Top 5-10%):

• Typically seek students in the 90th percentile or higher (composite score of 28+)
• Many top-tier schools have average ACT scores in the 30-34 range

Selective Colleges (Top 25%):

• Generally look for students in the 75th percentile or higher (composite score of 24+)
• Good target range for competitive state universities

Moderately Selective Colleges (Top 50%):

• Often accept students in the 50th percentile or higher (composite score of 21+)
• Many regional universities fall into this category

Open Admission Colleges:

• Accept students across a wide range of percentile rankings
• Focus on high school GPA and other factors beyond test scores

How to Use Percentiles for Goal Setting

Setting percentile-based goals is more meaningful than score-based goals:

1. Identify Your Target Percentile

Research the colleges you're interested in and find their average ACT percentile ranges. If your target schools typically accept students in the 75th-90th percentile range, aim for a composite score that places you in that range.

2. Set Incremental Goals

If you're currently at the 60th percentile (score of 21), aiming for the 75th percentile (score of 24) is a realistic intermediate goal. Breaking down improvements into manageable steps makes the process less overwhelming.

3. Track Progress

Use practice tests to track your percentile improvements over time. Seeing your percentile climb from the 65th to the 80th percentile provides concrete evidence of progress.

Common Misconceptions About Percentiles

Misconception 1: "Percentiles Stay the Same"

ACT percentiles change slightly each year based on the test-taking population. A score of 28 might be the 88th percentile one year and the 89th percentile the next, depending on overall performance trends.

Misconception 2: "Higher Percentile Always Means Better"

While higher percentiles are generally better, the importance depends on your goals. A 75th percentile score might be excellent for your target colleges, even if it's not in the 90th percentile range.

Misconception 3: "Section Percentiles Don't Matter"

Colleges often look at section percentiles, especially for relevant majors. A high math percentile is crucial for engineering applicants, while a high English percentile matters for humanities majors.

Improving Your Percentile Ranking

To improve your percentile ranking, focus on:

1. Section-Specific Improvement

Identify your weakest section and dedicate extra practice time. Improving a low section score can significantly boost your composite percentile.

2. Consistent Practice

Regular practice tests help you become familiar with question types and timing, leading to better performance and higher percentiles.

3. Test-Taking Strategies

Learning effective strategies for pacing, eliminating wrong answers, and managing time can improve your score and percentile ranking.

Using Percentiles for College Planning

Percentiles help you build a balanced college list:

Reach Schools: Target percentiles above your current ranking (e.g., if you're at 75th percentile, reach schools might be 90th percentile)

Target Schools: Percentiles matching your current ranking (within 5-10 percentile points)

Safety Schools: Percentiles below your current ranking (5-10 percentile points lower)

This balanced approach ensures you have realistic options while still aiming high.

Conclusion

Understanding ACT percentiles transforms your score from a raw number into meaningful context about your competitive position. Whether you're planning college applications, evaluating scholarship opportunities, or deciding whether to retake the test, percentiles provide the clarity you need to make informed decisions.

Use our ACT Score Calculator to calculate your composite score, then research percentile rankings to understand what that score means for your college goals.

Sources

• ACT, Inc. – Official ACT percentile rankings and score interpretation guides
• National Center for Education Statistics – ACT score distribution data and trends