Decoding the ACT Writing Score: What's Considered Good?
The ACT is a critical component of the college application process for many students. While a growing number of institutions have adopted test-optional policies, understanding the ACT and its scoring remains essential. This article delves specifically into the ACT Writing section, exploring what constitutes a good score and how it impacts your college prospects.
The ACT Landscape: Scores and Percentiles
The ACT comprises four main sections: English, Math, Reading, and Science. Each section is scored from 1 to 36, and the composite score is the average of these four. A "good" overall ACT score is generally considered anything above the 50th percentile, approximately a composite score of 19-20. However, competitive colleges often look for scores in the top 25%, around 24 or higher. The following table illustrates how ACT scores align with percentiles, providing a benchmark for students:
| Percentile | Composite | English | Math | Reading | Science |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100 | 36 | 36 | 36 | 36 | 36 |
| 99 | 34-35 | 35 | 34-35 | 35-36 | 35 |
| 95 | 31 | 33-34 | 30-31 | 33-34 | 31 |
| 90 | 29 | 30-31 | 28 | 31-32 | 28 |
| 85 | 27 | 27-28 | 26 | 29-30 | 26 |
| 80 | 25-26 | 25 | 25 | 27 | 25 |
| 75 (Good) | 24 | 24 | 24 | 25 | 24 |
| 50 (Median) | 19-20 | 19 | 18 | 20 | 20 |
The Importance of College-Specific Targets
Defining a "good" ACT score is subjective and depends heavily on the colleges you're targeting. Each institution has unique expectations based on the competitiveness of its applicant pool. Researching the middle 50% ACT score range (25th to 75th percentile) of admitted students at your desired schools is crucial. Aiming for a score at or above the 75th percentile significantly increases your chances of acceptance.
For example, if Emory University reports a middle 50% ACT range of 33-35, you should strive for a score of 35 or higher. The following table provides ACT score ranges for various universities, offering a glimpse into the diverse expectations across different institutions:
| School | 25th Percentile ACT Score | 75th Percentile ACT Score |
|---|---|---|
| Boston University | 33 | 35 |
| Bowdoin College | 32 | 34 |
| Colgate University | 31 | 34 |
| Colorado College | 29 | 33 |
| Columbia University | 34 | 35 |
| Indiana University Bloomington | 27 | 32 |
| Miami University | 25 | 31 |
| Pennsylvania State University | 29 | 33 |
| Rice University | 34 | 35 |
| Tulane University | 31 | 34 |
| University of Connecticut | 28 | 33 |
| University of Georgia | 31 | 34 |
| University of Maryland, College Park | 31 | 34 |
| University of Minnesota Twin Cities | 28 | 33 |
| University of Pennsylvania | 35 | 36 |
| University of Pittsburgh | 28 | 33 |
| University of Richmond | 32 | 35 |
| Villanova University | 32 | 34 |
| Washington University in St. Louis | 33 | 35 |
| Wesleyan University | 33 | 35 |
Decoding the ACT Writing Section
The ACT Writing section is an optional essay component. It is vital to check if any of your target colleges require it. The ACT with Writing costs more than the ACT without Writing.
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Unlike the other sections, the ACT Writing section is scored on a scale of 2-12, separate from the composite score. Two readers evaluate your essay based on four domains: Ideas and Analysis, Development and Support, Organization, and Language Use and Conventions. Each domain receives a score from 1-6, which are then combined and averaged to determine your final Writing score.
Here's how ACT Writing scores correlate with percentiles:
| Percentile | ACT Writing Score |
|---|---|
| 100 | 12 |
| 99 | 11 |
| 97 | 10 |
| 90 (Good) | 9 |
| 86 | 8 |
| 75 | 7 |
| 50 (Median) | 6 |
A good ACT Writing score is generally considered to be 8 or higher, placing you above the 75th percentile. Aiming for a 10 or higher can significantly strengthen your application, particularly for highly selective schools.
Strategies for a Strong ACT Writing Score
To excel in the ACT Writing section, consider the following strategies:
- Understand the Prompt: Carefully analyze the essay prompt and identify the issue at hand. Determine your perspective and formulate a clear thesis statement.
- Craft a Well-Organized Essay: Structure your essay logically with an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Each paragraph should focus on a specific aspect of your argument.
- Develop and Support Your Ideas: Provide ample evidence and reasoning to support your claims. Use examples, anecdotes, and logical arguments to strengthen your perspective.
- Use Clear and Concise Language: Write in a clear and concise style, avoiding jargon or overly complex sentence structures. Pay attention to grammar, spelling, and punctuation.
- Vary Sentence Structure: Implement different sentence structures to improve the flow and rhythm of your essay.
- Employ Strong Vocabulary: Incorporate sophisticated vocabulary words accurately and appropriately. However, avoid using words you are unsure of.
- Write a Longer Essay: Aim for at least four paragraphs spanning two to three pages.
- Make it Easy for the Graders: Ensure your essay is legible and easy to read.
Interpreting Your ACT Writing Score
The ACT provides various ways to interpret Writing scores, potentially causing confusion. Some methods include concordance tables and averaging domain scores. However, the most straightforward approach is to focus on your final score and its corresponding percentile.
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National Ranks and Percentiles
Your national ranks indicate how your scores compare to those of recent high school graduates who took the ACT. An ACT score percentile ranking compares your score to those of other test-takers, helping to measure your performance.
- How to use the table: Using the leftmost column, find the row for one of your content area test scores or your Composite score. Next, find the national rank in the column corresponding to that test. For example, the national rank for a Composite score of 22 is 72. This means that 72 percent of recent high school graduates who took the ACT achieved a Composite score of 22 or lower. Similarly, the national rank for a STEM score of 26 is 88.Note: These ranks are reported as “US Rank” on ACT score reports during the 2024-2025 reporting year (September 2024 through August 2025).
- How to use the table: Using the leftmost column, find the row for your ELA or writing score. Next, find the national rank in the column corresponding to that test. For example, the national rank for a writing score of 9 is 97.
An ACT subscore percentile reflects the percentage of test-takers who scored at or below your score in a particular section of the ACT.
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