What happens if I get a bad ACT score?

Below Average ACT Scores Scores below a 15 on the ACT are considered low at just about any four-year college. You can overcome low scores with a great GPA or an outstanding college application. But even if you're accepted, the school may ask you to take some remedial courses before enrolling.

Does a bad ACT score hurt you?

(Read more about how many students get a 36 ACT every year and how their admissions chances are improved.) So to recap, any ACT score below 33 will lower your chances at the most selective schools. And any score below a 30 is decidedly low for top colleges.

What to do if you got a bad score on the ACT?

You can take the ACT up to twelve times.

If you get a lower score on your second attempt at the test, don't panic. Take some time to study and sign up to take it again. Think of ways to improve your next test.

What happens if you get a low score in ACT test?

Ultimately, a low ACT score for a particular college is a score that won't get you in. Schools don't tend to publish hard ACT score minimums, but they do offer information about the ACT scores of their students. We can use current students' scores to infer what scores colleges expect from applicants.

What happens if you don't do well on the ACT?

Both the SAT and ACT have an option to cancel scores if the test didn't go well, for instance if the student filled out the answer sheet incorrectly or didn't finish the exam. If a student takes the SAT or ACT more than once, some colleges require all of the results on the respective test to be submitted.

Taking the ACT Test Sucks!

Is a 14 bad on the ACT?

Each section has a test score range of 1-36: Below Average Score Range: 1-16. Average Score Range: 17-24. Above Average Score Range: 25-36.

Is a 13 bad for the ACT?

Scores below a 15 on the ACT are considered low at just about any four-year college. You can overcome low scores with a great GPA or an outstanding college application. But even if you're accepted, the school may ask you to take some remedial courses before enrolling.

Is an 16 ACT score failing?

In terms of benchmarks for ACT score percentiles, a score of 16 places you at the 35th percentile, meaning you've scored better than about a third of test-takers. This isn't a very strong score. We've already noted that a 19 is an average ACT score, at the 50th percentile.

Is 1200 a good ACT score?

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 ...

Is a 12 ACT score bad?

If your ACT score is 16 or higher, you're in the top 20% of students who take the ACT. If it's between 15 and 17, you're in the top 25%. Between 12 and 15, you're in the top 30%. And below 12, you're definitely not going to get into any good colleges!

Should I submit a bad ACT score?

Advice From a College Access Professional

When advising students I recommend sending in test scores if your scores are at or above the 75th percentile for the college. If your scores are somewhere between the 50th and 75th percentile, you probably should submit the scores.

How bad is a 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 a 19 on ACT bad?

What Is a Good ACT Score Overall? A good ACT score ranks you higher than the majority of test-takers. As such, any composite score above the 50th percentile, or 19-20, can be considered a solid score.

Is 18 on ACT bad?

Earning an 18 on the ACT puts you at the 38th percentile, meaning that you scored higher than 38% of all test takers.

How good is a 13 ACT score?

13 ACT Score Standings

Out of the 1.91 million test-takers, 1780773 scored the same or higher than you. You can apply to 2 colleges and have a good shot at getting admitted. You have a very low chance of getting into 1505 schools with this score.

How rare is a 36 ACT?

Unsurprisingly, a full 36 is the rarest score of all—just 0.25% of all test takers earned a perfect ACT score. Roughly three times more students earned the next-highest score of 35; however, this is still a very rare score that just 0.775% of test takers earned.

Has anyone gotten a 1 on the ACT?

The absolute minimum ACT score you can get is a 1, although this is very unlikely to happen. You might be more worried about getting a score high enough to get into college.

Is 27 a good ACT score for a junior?

Is a 27 ACT Score (85th Percentile) Good? 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!

Is a 27 bad on the ACT?

Is 27 ACT Score Good? With a score of 27, you are in the 87th percentile of all test takers. More likely than not, with a score of 27, you'll often be in or near the commonly accepted range at selective colleges. The exception may be the Ivy League where the score required may be higher than 30 on average.

Is a 9 on the ACT bad?

With a 9 ACT score, you're already strongly competitive for these schools. You're very likely to get admitted if you apply. If you improve your ACT score, your Safety Schools will get better and better.

Is a 21 OK on the ACT?

Is 21 a good ACT score? A 21 ACT score puts you right at the national average, making you eligible to apply to a number of schools.