Do colleges really care about ACT scores?

Although many four-year colleges and open-admission colleges, including community colleges, don't require these scores, they may use them for placement or scholarships. You decide who sees your scores because you're in charge of sending them.

Do colleges actually look at ACT scores?

Colleges use your SAT/ACT score as an indicator of whether you're ready to attend their school. To show you're academically prepared, you'll need to have a score within the average SAT/ACT score range for admitted students to that school ... or perhaps even higher.

Do colleges care when you take the ACT?

The short answer: No. All colleges that consider test scores in 2023 accept both the ACT and SAT for admissions and don't discriminate based on which test applicants take.

How important is ACT score for college?

Colleges use ACT scores to place you in the right classes at the right level. And, your ACT score can help you place out of remedial coursework rather than sitting for additional placement tests on campus — saving time and money!

Do colleges care more about GPA or ACT?

Although the ACT is given a lot of weight, the GPA is still a huge component of your application. It is the only piece of numerical data that can reveal hard work, self-discipline, and consistency. Together with your transcript, your GPA can show improvement over time and intellectual growth.

Do Colleges Still Care About SAT and ACT scores?

Will a 36 ACT get you into Harvard?

Average ACT: 34

The 25th percentile ACT score is 34, and the 75th percentile ACT score is 36. In other words, a 34 places you below average, while a 36 will move you up to above average. There's no absolute ACT requirement at Harvard, but they really want to see at least a 34 to have a chance at being considered.

Do colleges prefer SAT or ACT?

You may have heard that colleges in some states prefer the ACT while others gravitate towards the SAT®. This is a common misconception. Colleges don't have a preference between the SAT or ACT so it's important to know how to choose the test that's right for you.

What's the lowest ACT score to get into college?

What is the lowest ACT score a college will accept? In general, many US colleges and universities accept applicants with 16 or 17 ACT scores. In fact, an ACT score of 16 or lower is accepted by 33 schools. On the other hand, an ACT score of 17 or lower is accepted by 58 schools.

Is 17 on the ACT good?

Below Average Score Range: 1-16. Average Score Range: 17-24. Above Average Score Range: 25-36.

Is a 22 on the ACT bad?

Is 22 a good ACT score? A 22 ACT score is above the national average score of 21, making you eligible to apply as a good candidate to many colleges.

Can you get into college with a bad ACT?

Yes, it is possible to get into college with a bad SAT and ACT score. Many colleges and universities have holistic admissions processes that take into account a wide range of factors beyond standardized test scores, such as GPA, extracurricular activities, personal essays, letters of recommendation, and interviews.

How much do colleges look at ACT?

Schools vary considerably in the kinds of ACT scores they look for in applicants. Less selective institutions tend to accept scores closer to the national average (21), whereas more competitive universities often prefer scores in the 32-36 range.

How much do colleges care about the ACT?

As long as your ACT Writing score isn't alarmingly low, its impact on your application should be minimal. It's more crucial to focus on other aspects of your application, such as maintaining a strong GPA and demonstrating commitment to extracurricular activities.

Does your ACT score really matter?

Most colleges report publicly the average SAT and ACT score of their freshmen class. The higher the average the more prestigious they appear. Colleges care deeply about increasing their reputation and exclusivity, and test scores are a key way they can accomplish this.

Do colleges care about ACT vs SAT?

The SAT and ACT generally cover the same topics. Both ACT and SAT scores are used for college admissions decisions and awarding merit-based scholarships. Most colleges do not prefer one test over the other. Neither the SAT nor the ACT is harder than the other.

Do colleges take your highest ACT score?

You can also make changes to these college choices up until the Thursday right after your Saturday test date. Most colleges will consider only your highest composite ACT. Some colleges will consider only your superscore, the average of your four highest sub-scores, even if they occur on different tests.

Is 23 a low in ACT?

A score of 23 on the ACT is above the current national average and will make you a strong applicant at many universities, but it may fall below the average score for accepted students at more selective colleges.

Is a 30 bad on the ACT?

Because of all this, a 30 ACT score is definitely considered good! To help you understand your standing within all test takers, a score of 30 on the ACT puts you at the 93rd percentile, meaning you scored higher than 93% of all test takers.

Is a 23 bad on the ACT?

Is 23 A Good Act Score? As discussed before, 1 is the lowest, and 36 is the highest ACT score. This makes 23, an above-average score. So as per your question on whether 23 is a good ACT score or not, well, it is excellent.

What is considered a bad ACT score?

Median ACT Scores

Unless you are aiming for non-competitive colleges (acceptance rate of 90-100%) or semi-competitive colleges (acceptance rate of 70-90%), a score below a 19 is a bad score for you.

Is a 1200 ACT score good?

For example, a score in the 75th percentile (approximately a 1200 on the SAT or a 24 on the ACT) would likely be strongly considered at most competitive colleges, while applicants scoring in the 90th percentile or higher (a 1350 on the SAT or a 29 on the ACT) would likely be well received even at highly competitive ...

Do colleges accept 17 ACT score?

17 ACT Score Standings

Out of the 1.91 million test-takers, 1359515 scored the same or higher than you. You can apply to 64 colleges and have a good shot at getting admitted. You have a very low chance of getting into 1443 schools with this score.

Is the ACT harder than the SAT?

The SAT is not harder than the ACT. Both tests vary slightly in terms of subjects covered and structure. These variations can affect each test-taker differently, making one exam more challenging than the other. Taking full-length practice tests of each type can help you determine which may be best suited for you.

Why take ACT instead of SAT?

Additionally, the ACT also includes a science section, making it a go-to choice for those interested in STEM fields. The ACT's emphasis on practical language skills, as opposed to memorizing a long list of complex vocabulary, can make it more relevant for many students.

Does Harvard prefer SAT or ACT?

Harvard has no preference between the SAT and ACT, so choose the test that's a better fit for you, thoroughly prepare for it, and plan to take it multiple times. The range of SAT scores and ACT composite scores for students admitted to Harvard varies.