Is an 18 good for an ACT score?
Asked by: Guido Bailey | Last update: November 23, 2025Score: 4.4/5 (20 votes)
Below Average Score Range: 1-16. Average Score Range: 17-24. Above Average Score Range: 25-36.
Can I get into college with an 18 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.
Is 17 a low ACT score?
A 17 on the ACT falls in the lower range of scores, specifically in the 30th percentile nationally. While this score may not be competitive at more selective colleges, there are still many colleges and universities that accept students with a score in this range.
Is 18 on ACT good or bad?
Below Average Score Range: 1-16. Average Score Range: 17-24. Above Average Score Range: 25-36.
Is ACT harder than SAT?
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. Different students tend to do better on one test over the other.
Is an 18 on the ACT good?
How bad is a 16 on the ACT?
A 16 ACT score is considered to be in the lower percentile range for most colleges and universities. To give you a perspective, an ACT score of 16 puts you at the 28th percentile nationally, meaning that you've scored higher than 28% of all ACT takers.
Is 14 a bad ACT score?
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 20 a bad ACT score?
A 20 ACT score puts you at the 49th percentile, meaning you scored higher than 49% of all test takers — which is certainly something to be proud of! To increase your competitiveness during the college application process, though, you'll want to meet or exceed the national average, which is closer to a score of 21.
Is 19 a good first ACT score?
In general, composite scores above the 50th percentile – about 19-21 – are decent, average ACT scores. However, it probably won't be a strong enough score for a competitive college. You'll probably find it's best to aim for the 75th percentile – a score of about 24 – for an above-average ACT score.
What ACT score is needed for Harvard?
Average ACT: 35
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.
What is a perfect ACT score?
What is a Perfect ACT Score? A perfect ACT score is 36. This is the highest possible score a student can achieve on the test. The ACT is scored on a scale of 1-36, with each section receiving a score between 1 and 36, and then a composite score is calculated by averaging the scores from the four required sections.
Is 18 a passing score for ACT?
An 18 on the ACT is considered to be below the national average, which is around a 20-21. While you may feel discouraged, it's important to remember that your ACT score is only one part of your college application.
Will colleges accept a 20 ACT score?
20 ACT Score Standings
You can apply to 307 colleges and have a good shot at getting admitted. You have a very low chance of getting into 1203 schools with this score.
Is 23 on the ACT good?
To put it into perspective, a 23 on the ACT would generally make you a competitive candidate at many state schools and less selective private schools. However, if you're aiming for highly selective or elite colleges, you might consider retaking the exam to aim for a higher score.
Is an 18 on the ACT good for the first time?
An 18 on the ACT is considered below average, as the national ACT average score is around 21. However, whether it's a good score depends on your personal goals and the colleges you are planning to apply to.
Is 17 a decent ACT score?
National Average ACT Test Scores
Below Average Score Range: 1-16. Average Score Range: 17-24. Above Average Score Range: 25-36.
Is a 22 bad on the ACT?
A 22 is a decent score and it isn't going to hinder your college application unless you're applying to selective or very selective institutions.
What is a failing 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 15 on the ACT OK?
A 15 on the ACT is indeed a concern when it comes to college applications, as it falls in the 28th percentile nationally. This means that 72% of test takers scored higher than you.
Should I retake the ACT if I got a 16?
With a 16 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.
What is the hardest subject in ACT?
Different students may find different sections of the ACT challenging depending on their strengths and weaknesses. However, many students report that the Science and Math sections tend to be the most challenging.
What is the highest ACT score?
The highest possible score you can get on the ACT is a 36. The ACT calculates this composite score by averaging your scores from the four sections: English, Math, Reading, and Science. Each of these sections is also scored on a scale of 1-36.