The national average ACT composite score is 19.5. A score of 24 or above is competitive at most four-year colleges. Selective universities typically look for 30 or higher, and the most competitive programs expect 33 to 36. What counts as a good score depends entirely on your student’s target schools.
Why the ACT Scoring Scale Confuses Families?
The ACT’s 1 to 36 composite scale is less intuitive than the SAT’s 400 to 1600 range, and that creates confusion. A 28 sounds modest until you realize it puts a student in roughly the top 10% of all test-takers nationally. A 32 sounds close to perfect until you find out the average admitted student at your target school scored a 34.
Understanding where your student’s score actually falls, relative to the national distribution and to specific school benchmarks, is the difference between an informed prep plan and a wasted one. This article gives you both.
How the ACT Is Scored?
The ACT produces four section scores and one composite score. Each section is scored on a scale of 1 to 36. The composite is the average of the four section scores, rounded to the nearest whole number.
| Section | Score Range | What It Tests |
| English | 1 to 36 | Grammar, punctuation, sentence structure, rhetorical skills |
| Mathematics | 1 to 36 | Algebra, geometry, trigonometry, pre-calculus |
| Reading | 1 to 36 | Comprehension across four passage types |
| Science | 1 to 36 | Data interpretation, research summaries, conflicting viewpoints |
| Composite | 1 to 36 | Average of the four section scores |
The optional Writing test produces a separate score of 2 to 12 and does not affect the composite. Most colleges that require the ACT do not require the Writing section, but confirm directly with each school.
ACT Score Percentiles: What Your Score Actually Means
Percentile rankings tell you how your student performed relative to all test-takers nationally. This context is more useful than the raw score alone.
| Composite Score | Approximate Percentile | Context |
| 36 | 99th | Perfect score |
| 34 | 99th | Top 1% of all test-takers |
| 32 | 97th | Highly competitive for selective universities |
| 30 | 93rd | Competitive for most selective schools |
| 28 | 90th | Strong score for most four-year colleges |
| 24 | 74th | Competitive at broad access universities |
| 20 | 49th | Near national average |
| 17 | 30th | Below average, additional prep recommended |
Source: Based on ACT national norms data. Percentiles shift slightly year over year.
ACT Score Benchmarks by School Selectivity
Use this table to identify what score range your student needs based on the schools they are targeting.
| School Tier | Middle 50% Range | Minimum to Be Competitive | Notes |
| Highly Selective (Top 25) | 34 to 36 | 33 | Below 32 is a meaningful disadvantage |
| Selective (Top 50) | 31 to 34 | 29 | 30 or above is strongly competitive |
| Strong Regional Universities | 26 to 31 | 24 | 25 to 28 is a solid target range |
| Broad Access Universities | 20 to 26 | 19 | 20 or above is generally competitive |
| Open Enrollment / Community | No minimum | N/A | ACT typically optional or not required |
ACT Score Benchmarks for Major Texas Universities
For Dallas-area families, here are approximate ACT middle 50% composite ranges for major Texas universities. Verify current figures on each school’s Common Data Set.
| University | ACT Middle 50% | Notes |
| University of Texas at Austin | 27 to 34 | Varies significantly by major and college |
| Texas A&M University | 26 to 32 | Engineering and business are more competitive |
| Rice University | 34 to 36 | One of the most selective universities in the South |
| Southern Methodist University | 29 to 33 | Merit scholarships available at 30 and above |
| Texas Christian University | 26 to 31 | Strong merit aid at 28 and above |
| Baylor University | 25 to 31 | Honors College typically requires 30 or higher |
| University of North Texas | 21 to 27 | Accessible with strong academic support programs |
| Texas Tech University | 23 to 29 | Competitive for engineering and business majors |
Source: Approximate figures based on recent Common Data Set reports. Always confirm current ranges directly with each institution.
Section Scores Matter as Much as the Composite
Many families focus exclusively on the composite score and overlook section performance. For competitive programs, individual section scores can be just as important.
STEM Programs
Engineering, computer science, and pre-med programs at selective schools often informally screen for math and science section scores of 30 or higher, even when the school’s published composite range is lower.
Business Programs
Business school admissions often weight math and English sections heavily. A composite of 28 with a math score of 24 is a weaker application for a business program than a composite of 26 with a math score of 30.
Writing-Intensive Programs
English, journalism, and liberal arts programs may look more closely at the English and Reading section scores. A strong composite built on math and science may not tell the full story for these programs.
Takeaway: Know your target program, not just your target school. A section-level breakdown from a diagnostic test gives you this clarity before prep begins.
ACT Score Thresholds for Texas Scholarships
- National Merit Scholarship (PSAT/NMSQT route): Equivalent to approximately ACT 32 to 34 for Texas qualifying scores
- SMU Presidential Scholarship: Typically requires ACT 33 or higher
- TCU Chancellor’s Scholarship: Generally awarded at ACT 31 or above
- Baylor Regents Gold Scholarship: Typically requires ACT 30 or higher
- Texas A&M Presidential Scholarship: Competitive at ACT 32 or above
- UT Austin Forty Acres Scholars: Holistic selection, but strong scores of 34 or above are common among finalists
Scholarship thresholds are updated annually. Always confirm current requirements with each institution’s financial aid or scholarship office before setting up a prep target.
How to Use These Benchmarks in Your Prep Plan
Step 1: Identify Your Score Target
Look up the ACT middle 50% range for your student’s top two or three schools. Set your target at or above the 75th percentile of the most selective school on the list.
Step 2: Take a Free Diagnostic
The free diagnostic at gocooperprep.net establishes your student’s current composite and section-by-section baseline. The gap between that baseline and your target score determines the prep timeline.
Step 3: Focus Section Work on the Highest-Impact Areas
Because the ACT composite is an average of four sections, improving a weak section has a larger impact on the composite than improving an already strong one. A student scoring 24 in science and 32 in English will gain more composite points by focusing on science than by pushing English from 32 to 34.
Step 4: Track Progress with Monthly Practice Tests
Monthly full-length practice tests under timed conditions track real progress and reveal whether the prep plan is working. Go Cooper Prep’s $99/month subscription includes regular score tracking so you always know where you stand relative to your target.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a good ACT score for a Texas student?
It depends on the schools on your list. A 24 is competitive at many Texas public universities. A 28 to 30 opens doors at SMU, TCU, and Baylor. A 32 or above is competitive at UT Austin’s most selective programs and puts a student in range for Rice University.
How does the ACT compare to the SAT for college admissions?
All major U.S. colleges accept both equally. The choice between them should be based on which format plays to your student’s strengths, not on any perceived admissions preference. A diagnostic can help identify which test is the better fit.
Can my student retake the ACT to improve their score?
Yes. Most students take the ACT two to three times. Many colleges superscore, meaning they combine the highest section scores across multiple sittings for the best possible composite. Check each school’s superscoring policy before scheduling retakes.
Does the ACT Writing section matter for Texas colleges?
Most Texas colleges do not require the Writing section. A small number of programs, particularly in education and some honors colleges, may request it. Confirm directly with each school before registering. If in doubt, taking the Writing section gives you the option to submit it without being required to.
How much can my student realistically improve their ACT score?
Score improvement varies by baseline and effort. Students starting below a 20 often see the largest gains with focused prep. Students in the mid-20s can typically add 3 to 5 points with a targeted plan. Students already scoring above 30 may find additional gains harder to achieve, though section-level work often still produces meaningful composite improvement.
How does Go Cooper Prep help with ACT prep specifically?
Every student starts with a free diagnostic at gocooperprep.net that produces a baseline composite and section scores. From there, the $99/month subscription delivers a personalized plan focused on the ACT sections with the most room for improvement, weekly tutoring sessions online or in person in Dallas, and monthly score tracking.
The Bottom Line
A good ACT score is one that is competitive at your student’s target schools, not one that sounds impressive in the abstract. The national average of 19.5 is a useful reference, but the number that actually matters is the 75th percentile of the most selective school on your student’s list.
Set a school-specific target, take a free diagnostic to establish the baseline, and build a plan focused on closing the gap section by section. That is how meaningful ACT score improvement happens.
