ACT Percentiles: Understand Your Standing

ACT percentiles show how your composite or section score compares to every other test taker in the national pool. A 75th-percentile score means you outperformed 75% of all students who sat for the ACT. Knowing your percentile — not just your raw score — gives you a clear picture of how competitive you are for specific colleges and whether spending time on test prep will meaningfully move your admissions odds.

What Do ACT Percentiles Mean?

The ACT is scored on a scale of 1–36 for each of four sections (English, Math, Reading, and Science), and the composite is the average of those four scores, rounded to the nearest whole number. The ACT organization releases updated percentile tables annually, so a score of 28 may correspond to slightly different percentiles from year to year.

For admissions purposes, the most useful comparison is against a college's middle-50% range — the ACT composite scores of the 25th through 75th percentile of students who enrolled. Scoring at or above the 75th percentile of enrolled students makes your test score a genuine asset in the application.

ACT Composite Percentile Bands

* Percentiles are illustrative. Verify current figures at act.org or the ACT profile report for the most accurate data.

Section Score Percentiles

Colleges that super-score the ACT (taking the best section score from each test date) make section percentiles especially important. Strong Math and Science percentiles are critical for STEM programs, while English and Reading percentiles carry more weight for writing-intensive majors and liberal arts programs.

Strategic Planning with ACT Percentiles

Here is how to use percentile data to make smarter prep and submission decisions:

1. Look up target schools' middle-50% range. These are published in each school's Common Data Set (Section C9). Aim for at least the 50th percentile of enrolled students, ideally the 75th.
2. Identify your weakest section. Even a 1–2 point gain on a weak section (e.g., Science from 24 to 26) can add 0.5–1.0 to your composite, often moving you 5–10 percentile points.
3. Consider super-scoring. If colleges super-score, strategically retake the ACT focusing on the sections with the most improvement potential.
4. Balance with GPA. A 28 ACT paired with a 3.9 GPA is typically more competitive than a 32 ACT paired with a 3.4 GPA at most schools. Academic rigor and GPA remain the most heavily weighted factors in holistic review.

ACT Percentiles at Test-Optional Schools

With many schools remaining test-optional, you should only submit your ACT score if it genuinely strengthens your application. A safe guideline: submit if your composite is at or above the median (50th percentile) of admitted students at that school. If your score is below their median, your GPA, essays, and course rigor will likely be more persuasive — especially at schools with holistic review processes.

ACT vs. SAT: Which Should You Take?

Both tests are accepted at virtually all U.S. colleges on equal footing. The ACT tends to favor students who are strong in Science reasoning and prefer a more straightforward, direct question style. The SAT tends to reward careful analytical reading and evidence-based reasoning skills. Take a practice test for each and compare your percentile standing — use whichever gives you the higher national percentile rank.

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Tools & Guides

• SAT ⇄ ACT Score Conversion Chart
• SAT Percentile Guide
• Test-Optional & GPA Impact
• How SAT/ACT Scores Impact Admissions
• SAT/ACT to GPA Converter