I am a 9th grader…
My scores are as follows:
Composite: 24
Math:25
Science:24
English:25
Reading:21
I know, I did really bad on the reading section, and basically everything.
Please help me interpret my scores.
Why did you take the ACT in the 9th grade? If you were a junior a 24 composite would be very poor.
Just to get a feel for it. It was also offered by BelinBlank
Yes. It is very good for a freshman. My daughter got a 23 composite as a sophomore and just got a 32 composite as a junior. You have two years to increase it. The fact you did that well in math with no Trig and I’m assuming no physics, is impressive. Do some practice tests every so often to prepare. Good luck!
@Alt903 - I would ignore the previous post. A 24 on the ACT for a Junior is 74th percentile, hardly poor.
Many kids get into good schools (not elite schools) with a 24. Breaking down the score, your math score rates in the 78th % for a JUNIOR. Science 76%, English 79% and Reading 55% so your analysis of your reading is spot on.
I aplaud you for taking the test as a Junior. I would recommend that you continue to take it if you can. It will get you ready for the PSAT/NMSQ you will take in a couple of years and the ACT as a Junior. Look for practice test and continue to take challenging classes.
You are on a great track to college. Keep it up!
It depends on the college the OP is aiming for. At top 50 schools a 24 for a junior would likely result in a denial.
Assuming that you went into this blind without thorough study on test-taking, that’s a really good score. I’m sure that you will learn how to properly answer everything efficiently soon (specifically on the reading and english), plus a lot of the math and science was probably well above your level. Overall, good job and good luck!
BTW: There are a lot of strategies for the reading. For one, always look for explicit evidence from the text; you do not want to make assumptions and there is only one right answer no matter how opinionated the question may sound. Also, reread passages that are too difficult and maybe consider putting them off for later.
To clarify, I did not study at all…
@TomSrOfBoston - Did you read my next sentence?
“Many kids get into good schools (not elite schools) with a 24.”
It all depends on where he is trying to go.
As cliche as it sounds, my dream is to go to UC Berkely
I think that math score is pretty good for a 9th grader, as you haven’t yet covered a lot of the topics
Ignore the haters, @Alt903 ! You’re a freshman who hasn’t even studied for the ACT yet, and you got well above the national average ACT score – remember, that average score includes mainly (mostly, I’d guess) juniors and seniors who have studied for it. You are on a great path and I commend you.
OK, let’s bust the bubble now. Are you a CA resident? If not, please redirect. Berkley is in the neighborhood of $65k per year and will probably be well over $75k by the time you graduate.
What is your current math class? That helps to know if you math score is good for your age. That should surely go up by the time you’ve had Algebra I & II plus geometry.
I am taking precalc, alg2, and trig my sophmore year
I have taken geometry and alg1
The percentages listed in the post earlier in the thread are based on a sample of all students taking the ACT. Many states have all students take the ACT whether or not they are going to college so the percentages don’t really help you understand how competitive you would be for college admission with that score.
Do you know if the test you took at BelinBlank was a real test? Often the for-profit test prep companies give initial harder tests in order to encourage you to sign up for their services and to make you think you’ve improved even more because of their prep when you get better scores on later testing.
I took the real ACT and I know that for sure. Second, the BellinBlank center is not a testing agency. A quick google search should verify that. Their “mission”: “The mission of the Belin-Blank Center is to empower and serve the international gifted community through exemplary leadership in programs, research, and advocacy.”
Yes, that’s definitely an above average score for most 9th graders. However, if you are hoping to shoot for top 50ish schools, you should probably try to bring it up by the time you apply to college. You still have two years!
To put it in a bit of perspective (or maybe not, I don’t know) I got a 26-27 (I don’t remember exactly) when I took the ACT in 7th grade through the Duke TIP program. I have a friend who took it this year (9th) and got a 29. So, I think you should be fine, especially since you’ve only taken Alg I and Geometry, and the ACT covers through Alg II, and maybe a little bit of Precalc.
Quite the contrary! a 24 composite is 75th percentile score for ALL people who take the ACT! Congrats! You’ve done better than three-fourths of all ACT-takers.