Has the ACT gotten harder over the years?

Relatively speaking, the ACT has gotten “harder” over the years. As students start to do better on ACT, the test-makers gradually adjust the difficulty level of the test. And students have gotten better. In 1970, the average composite score nationwide was 18.6.

Has the ACT changed over the years?

1989 – ACT introduced a revised exam, replacing the Social Studies section with a Reading section and renaming the Natural Science section as Science. Updates to the Math and English sections were also made and the overall ACT became longer. 2015 – ACT changed its scoring methodology.

Does ACT English get progressively harder?

Does the ACT English section get progressively harder? No. The questions do not follow an order of increasing difficulty. Instead, they are organized in the same random manner as the passage.

What is the average ACT score in 2023?

Scores on the ACT college admissions test fell to a 30-year low in 2023. The average composite score on the exam fell 0.3 points to 19.5 compared with 19.8 last year, according to the nonprofit group that administers the exam.

Are ACT scores lower this year?

College admission test scores are dropping lower than previously, especially ACT scores, according to the nonprofit that administers the test. ACT scores dropped from 19.8 for the class of 2022 to 19.5 for the class of 2023. According to Collegeboard.org, SAT scores dropped from 1050 in 2022 to 1028 in 2023.

ACT is EASIER than SAT: Which Test Should You Take (2022)?

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.

How rare is a 29 ACT score?

29 ACT Score Standings

Out of the 1.91 million test-takers, 134036 scored the same or higher than you. You can apply to 1364 colleges and have a good shot at getting admitted. You have a very low chance of getting into 143 schools with this score.

Is 17 a decent ACT score?

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

Is 37 a good ACT score?

So, to recap, compared to all test-takers:

ACT score of 24+ = top 25% ACT score of 29+ = top 10% ACT of 31+ = top 5% ACT score of 35+ = top 1% of test-takers.

Has the ACT gotten harder or easier?

The ACT Has Become More Difficult Over the Years

If you compare the general difficulty levels of the ACT exams over the last few years with the ACT exams during the 1970s, you will probably note that today's version of the test involves much more difficult questions.

Is a 35 on English ACT good?

An ACT score of 35 is a demonstration of excellence in all academic fields at the high school level. There's no pressing reason to retake the ACT, especially with a score so close to perfect.

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.

What was a perfect ACT score in 1990?

\3\Minimum score, 1; maximum score, 36. \4\Beginning in 1990, the test was changed to "reading". \5\Beginning in 1990, the test was changed to "science reasoning". \6\Beginning in 1990, scores were 27 or above.

Has 36 always been the highest ACT score?

Back then, the highest score you could get was a 35, not 36 as it is today. And the only way to do that was to get a perfect-on-all-sections composite of 34.5, which was rounded up to a 35.

Did the ACT change in 2023?

The ACT exam is not changing its content. However, the ACT is updating the testing format to offer online ACT exams in December 2023. While the online ACT opens testing in 2023, not all students are eligible for the first round of online tests.

What's the lowest ACT score Harvard has accepted?

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.

Is 23 that low of an ACT score?

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. The higher your ACT score, the more options are open to you.

Is 27 a good ACT score for a junior?

A 27 ACT score puts you a good deal about the national average (20.8) and makes you eligible for acceptance at a vast majority of schools. It also makes you competitive at some selective institutions, as well as eligible for merit aid! Considering those things, it's easy to say that a 27 ACT score is good.

How rare is a 1 on the ACT?

1 ACT Score Standings

Out of the 1.91 million test-takers, 1895661 scored the same or higher than you. You can apply to 0 colleges and have a good shot at getting admitted. You have a very low chance of getting into 1507 schools with this score.

How rare is a 12 on ACT writing?

ACT Writing Test and ELA Scoring and Benchmark Data

Scores of 8, 9, and 10 are in the 87th, 95th, and 98th percentiles respectively. About 1% of all test-takers receive ACT Writing scores of 11 or 12.

What is the lowest score ever recorded on the ACT?

The absolute minimum ACT score you can get is a 1, although this is very unlikely to happen.

Can you get a 0 on the ACT?

The lowest possible ACT score is a zero. The highest possible ACT composite score is a 36. Using the percentiles from this ACT percentile chart, we can see that the average section scores are as follows: English: 20.

Is 1100 a good SAT score?

Earning an 1100 makes you eligible to apply to most colleges and universities as a decent candidate. More selective and elite institutions require higher scores for competitive consideration, but outside of those a score of 1100 meets (and 8% exceeds!) expectations.

Is 18 a good ACT score for a junior?

Is 18 a good ACT score? A score of 18 on the ACT doesn't give you a whole ton of options for college, nor does it make you a competitive applicant at most. To make yourself a prime candidate, you'll want to earn a score closer to the national average, which is 20.8.