The average ACT composite score for the high school class of 2024 was 19.5 out of 36, according to ACT, Inc. This represents a continued decline from the 20.6 average five years ago. The drop doesn't mean the test is harder — it reflects changes in who takes the test and the lingering effects of pandemic-era learning disruptions. For context, a 19.5 composite puts a student roughly at the 44th percentile of all test-takers.
The ACT has been making headlines for its declining average scores, and the framing is almost always wrong. Articles say students are "falling behind" or "struggling more than ever." The reality is more complicated and actually more useful if you're trying to figure out what your score means.
A significant part of the decline is demographic. Several states mandate the ACT for all juniors, which means students who wouldn't voluntarily take a college entrance exam are included in the data. When you expand the testing pool to include students who aren't college-bound, the average drops. That's statistics, not a crisis.
Key Statistics at a Glance
The ACT is scored on a scale of 1-36 for each of four sections: English, Math, Reading, and Science. The composite score is the average of these four section scores, rounded to the nearest whole number.
Scores by Subject
Average section scores for the class of 2024:
- English: 18.8 — Tests grammar, punctuation, sentence structure, and rhetorical skills
- Math: 19.1 — Tests pre-algebra through basic trigonometry
- Reading: 20.3 — Tests reading comprehension across multiple passages
- Science: 19.4 — Tests data interpretation, research summaries, and conflicting viewpoints
The Reading section consistently has the highest average, while English has the lowest. This pattern has been stable for years and reflects the different skill sets each section tests.
ACT also sets "college readiness benchmarks" — minimum section scores that predict a 50% chance of earning a B or higher in the corresponding college course. The benchmarks are: English 18, Math 22, Reading 22, and Science 23.
The percentage of students meeting all four benchmarks has declined to about 21% of test-takers. This means roughly four out of five ACT test-takers have at least one area where ACT's model predicts potential difficulty in the corresponding college course.
ACT's "college readiness benchmarks" are useful as a general guide but shouldn't cause panic. Meeting or missing a benchmark doesn't determine your college success — it's a statistical prediction based on aggregate data. Many students who miss the Math benchmark of 22 succeed in college math courses, especially with proper placement and support. Use benchmarks as diagnostic information, not destiny.
Score Distribution and Percentiles
Approximate ACT composite score percentiles for the class of 2024:
- 33-36: 98th-99th percentile — highly competitive for the most selective schools
- 28-32: 88th-97th percentile — competitive for selective universities
- 24-27: 73rd-87th percentile — competitive for most four-year universities
- 20-23: 48th-72nd percentile — meets requirements at many state schools
- 16-19: 19th-47th percentile — some four-year options; consider community college pathways
- Below 16: Below the 19th percentile — focused preparation recommended before retesting
The median composite score falls around 19-20, consistent with the reported average. A score of 24 puts you above roughly 73% of test-takers, and a 30 puts you above roughly 93%.
ACT now offers section retesting, meaning students can retake individual sections rather than the entire test. If you scored well on English, Reading, and Science but struggled with Math, you can retake just the Math section. This was introduced to reduce test anxiety and cost. Not all colleges accept section retesting scores, so check with your target schools before relying on this option.
Score Trends Over Time
The average ACT composite has declined steadily since 2019, when it was 20.7:
- 2019: 20.7
- 2020: 20.6
- 2021: 20.3
- 2022: 19.8
- 2023: 19.5
- 2024: 19.5
This decline has multiple causes. State-mandated testing continues to expand the pool of test-takers beyond self-selected, college-bound students. Pandemic-era learning disruptions disproportionately affected math and science preparation. And the overall shift toward test-optional college admissions has changed who voluntarily takes the ACT.
The 2024 stabilization at 19.5 (same as 2023) may signal that the decline is leveling off, though it's too early to confirm a trend from one year of data.
Scores by State
Average ACT scores vary dramatically by state, largely due to participation rates. States where ACT testing is mandatory tend to have lower averages because every student takes the test. States where testing is voluntary tend to have higher averages because only college-bound students opt in.
States with mandatory or near-universal ACT testing typically show averages in the 17-20 range. States where ACT is voluntary and most students take the SAT instead (particularly in the Northeast) show averages in the 23-26 range because only highly motivated students choose to take it.
This means comparing your state's average to the national average is misleading without accounting for participation rates. A student scoring 20 in a state where everyone takes the test is in a very different position than a student scoring 20 in a state where only the top 15% of students voluntarily take it.
Scores by Demographics
Like the SAT, ACT scores show persistent disparities by race and ethnicity, family income, and parental education level:
By race and ethnicity: Asian students and white students consistently score above the national average, while Hispanic/Latino and Black students score below it. These gaps mirror systemic disparities in educational resources, school funding, and access to test preparation.
By family income: Students from higher-income families score significantly higher on average. This correlation is well-established across all standardized testing and reflects differences in educational opportunity, not inherent ability.
By parental education: Students whose parents hold bachelor's or graduate degrees score higher on average than students whose parents did not attend college. First-generation college students face additional challenges in test preparation access and college planning awareness. Our first-generation student guide addresses these specific challenges.
Don't compare your ACT score to the national average without context. The average is pulled from a pool that includes students mandated to test by their state who may have no intention of attending a four-year college. If you're a college-bound student who chose to take the ACT, a more relevant comparison is the score ranges of admitted students at your specific target schools.
What This Means for Students
If your composite is 25 or above: You're above the 75th percentile nationally and competitive at a wide range of four-year universities. Focus your energy on the rest of your application — GPA, essays, and extracurriculars — rather than obsessing over test score improvement.
If your composite is 20-24: You're in the middle range and competitive at many state universities and regional colleges. Targeted improvement in your weakest section could yield significant composite gains. A 2-point improvement in your lowest section raises your composite noticeably.
If your composite is below 20: Consider whether the ACT is the right test for you — some students score significantly higher on the SAT. Also research test-optional policies at your target schools. And consider whether starting at a community college and transferring might be the stronger strategic play.
Regardless of your score, remember that the ACT is one component of a holistic application. Admissions officers at most schools consider your score alongside your GPA, course rigor, extracurriculars, essays, and recommendations. A strong overall application with a moderate ACT score regularly beats a weak application with a high score.
For students deciding between the ACT and SAT, our SAT vs ACT comparison breaks down the differences in format, timing, and content.
FAQ
What is a good ACT score?
Context-dependent. For highly selective schools (Ivy League, Stanford, top state flagships), 33+ is competitive. For selective state universities, 27-32 is strong. For many four-year colleges, 22-26 is solid. The best benchmark is the middle 50% range for admitted students at your specific target schools.
How many times should I take the ACT?
Most students take it 2-3 times. Many colleges superscore the ACT (take your highest section scores across test dates), so retaking can improve your composite even if only one section improves. Diminishing returns typically set in after 3 attempts.
Is the ACT getting harder?
The test itself hasn't changed significantly. The declining average reflects a broader test-taking pool (more state-mandated testing) and pandemic-related learning gaps, not increased difficulty. If anything, the introduction of section retesting has made it slightly easier to achieve your target score.
Should I take the ACT or SAT?
Take a practice test of each and compare. Some students score significantly higher on one due to differences in timing, content emphasis, and format. The ACT is faster-paced with more questions per section. The SAT gives more time per question but includes more complex math content. Both are equally accepted by all US colleges.
Do colleges prefer the ACT or SAT?
No. Every US college that accepts standardized test scores accepts both equally. There is no advantage to submitting one over the other. Submit whichever score is stronger relative to the school's admitted student profile.
What's the average ACT score at Ivy League schools?
Middle 50% composite ranges for admitted students at Ivy League schools typically fall between 33 and 35. This means 25% of admitted students scored below 33, demonstrating that scores alone don't determine admission.
Footnotes
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ACT, Inc. (2024). ACT Profile Report - National. ACT. https://www.act.org/content/act/en/research/reports/act-publications.html ↩
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National Center for Education Statistics. (2024). Digest of Education Statistics: ACT Score Averages. NCES, U.S. Department of Education. https://nces.ed.gov/programs/digest/ ↩