The American College Testing (ACT) is a standard assessment for international students to pursue their undergraduate degrees in the US and Canada. Several educational institutions consider ACT exam results for student admission into their desired programs. Candidates should prepare and score well to enrol in their chosen university. Here’s everything you should know about average ACT scores.
ACT exam: Key highlights
| ACT full form | American College Testing |
| No. of sections | 4 + one optional writing section |
| Total duration | 2 hours 55 minutes
(additional 40 minutes for optional essay) |
| ACT score range | 1-36 |
Data updated as of June 2023
ACT exam pattern: An overview
Before we move on to the average ACT score and other scoring criteria, it is important to learn the exam pattern to understand the scores and average. There are four main sections and one optional section in the ACT exam.
ACT exam pattern
| Sections | No. of questions | Total duration (in minutes) |
| English | 75 | 45 |
| Mathematics | 60 | 60 |
| Science | 40 | 35 |
| Reading | 40 | 35 |
| Writing (optional) | 1 (essay) | 40 |
Data updated as of June 2023
What is the ACT score range?
The ACT exam follows a score range between 1-36 for each section. The scores are then calculated to obtain an average of the four sections.
Average ACT score
The average ACT score is determined by evaluating the performance of students who appeared for the exam on the same day. The ACT exam has a score range of 1-36 for each section. So the maximum score awarded to a section is 36. There is no negative marking in the ACT exam; that is, you will not lose points for any wrong response.
The average ACT score is vital for admission as the score compares your performance with other candidates who attended the exam on the same day. The average percentage shows how well you have performed than the other students. For example, if you get 80% on the ACT exam, you have scored better than 80% of the candidates who appeared on the same day.
The average ACT score is an essential metric educational institutions consider to evaluate candidates’ profiles and proceed with their applications. A high percentage can improve your chances of admission.
What is the average ACT score for 2023?
The average ACT score for 2023 is around 21. Candidates scoring above 21 are considered to have performed well in the ACT exam. They also have higher chances of admission to educational institutions in the US and Canada.
Data updated as of June 2023
ACT average score: Section-wise breakdown
| ACT exam section | ACT average score |
| English | 19.9 |
| Reading | 21.2 |
| Maths | 20.2 |
| Science | 20.6 |
Data updated as of June 2023
What is the ACT score range for the optional writing section?
The ACT exam’s optional writing section has a score range of 2-12. The ACT average score is 6.5. This means educational institutions in the US and Canada prefer scores above the average range.
Data updated as of June 2023
ACT composite score
The ACT composite score, also known as the ACT average score, is the grade obtained by adding the scores of all four sections and calculating their average. It is important to note that the optional writing score will not impact your ACT composite score. The current ACT national average is around 21, so students scoring above this range have higher chances of getting admission into universities.
Average ACT score: US state-wise breakdown
The US comprises 50 states. Each state has its own admission requirements and differs in participation rates, so students must check the criteria state-wise before applying. Here is the average ACT score state-wise.
State-wise average ACT score
| State | Average ACT score | State | Average ACT score |
| Massachusetts | 26 | West Virginia | 20.9 |
| Connecticut | 25.9 | Missouri | 20.7 |
| New Hampshire | 25.7 | Kansas | 20.4 |
| Maine | 24.9 | Texas | 20.2 |
| New York | 24.9 | Utah | 20.2 |
| Rhode Island | 24.8 | Alaska | 20.1 |
| Illinois | 24.7 | Wisconsin | 20.1 |
| Michigan | 24.6 | Montana | 19.9 |
| New Jersey | 24.4 | Nebraska | 19.9 |
| Virginia | 24.4 | Ohio | 19.9 |
| Delaware | 24.2 | Wyoming | 19.7 |
| Maryland | 23.8 | North Dakota | 19.6 |
| Colorado | 23.7 | Kentucky | 19.5 |
| Pennsylvania | 23.7 | New Mexico | 19.3 |
| California | 23.3 | Tennessee | 19.3 |
| Vermont | 23.3 | Arizona | 19.1 |
| Florida | 23.1 | Arkansas | 19 |
| Washington | 22.9 | Alabama | 18.8 |
| Idaho | 22.7 | North Carolina | 18.8 |
| Indiana | 22.6 | Louisiana | 18.7 |
| Georgia | 21.7 | Oklahoma | 18.7 |
| South Dakota | 21.7 | Hawaii | 18.5 |
| Minnesota | 21.3 | South Carolina | 18.4 |
| Iowa | 21.1 | Mississippi | 18.2 |
| Oregon | 21 | Nevada | 17.9 |
Frequently asked questions
Is a nine good on the ACT writing?
The ACT score range for the optional writing section is 2-12. A score of 9 is considered very good in educational institutions in the US and Canada.
What is a good ACT score for Ivy League schools?
Ivy League schools like Harvard University, Yale University, Columbia University, Princeton University, and Cornell University prefer to select students with an ACT score of at least 34. Students with scores above 34 have a good chance of getting into Ivy League schools.
Is there a penalty on the ACT?
There is no penalty or negative marking on the ACT exam. This means candidates will not lose points for any wrong response.
What is the average ACT score?
The average ACT score for 2023 is around 21. Candidates with scores above 21 are considered to have performed well in the exam and have higher chances of getting admission into universities.
What state has the highest average ACT?
Massachusetts has the highest average ACT score in the US, with an average score of 26.