I’m not sure how well people know the ACT, but it’s a bit deceptive. I see lots of people who get 31-32s on the ACT and feel really discouraged. If only they scored 2 points higher! However, the scale throughout the 36 composite points isn’t spread evenly…at all. By the time you’re in the “30s,” the difference between the next point up is only 1-3 more questions correct thoughout the entire test. It’s important to realize that colleges realize this. Someone who receives a 33 is by know means smarter than someone who receives a 32. If you’re even in the 30s, you’re getting almost all the questions correct in the first place. You can get into colleges who’s average ACT is in the mid 30s(very selective schools), with a 30. Obviously, you chance is slightly decreased, but don’t be discouraged by you’re score. Harvard, for example, would rather take a student with a great GPA,rigourous classes, and a 31 on the ACT than one with an average GPA and a 34 on the ACT. Don’t fret.
Don’t you notice the admission stat is usually a range of normal distribution. It is not a sharp cut off simply because of that. Nevertheless, if your score is below the 25th percentile (the low end of mid 50 range), the chance would be much lower than the overall admission rate of that school unless you have a hook or got recruited. Many schools consider cumulative GPA to be more important as it reflects a much longer period of hard work. While a great test score can be achieved in a few months.
It’s known as the bell curve; the top percentage of the test takers are distinguished by only handful amount of questions, sometimes by even 1.
Although scores may not have much emphasis on admission, they may be used as a cut off point for merit aid at some schools , which may in fact limit admissions to some schools if large merit is required for attendance.
“Although scores may not have much emphasis on admission”…test scores often keep high achieving students from being admitted to selective colleges.
I guess what I was trying to convey was that you can still get into a college with one or two points below their average ACT/SAT range. Many students believe that if they don’t score at least the school average score, they have absolutely no chance on getting in. Let’s say you have a 4.0 GPA (unweighted), in the top 5%-10% of your class, but didn’t end up scoring as high as you wanted to on the ACT. You got a 32, but you’re dream schools average is a 33. 25% of students get in that college with a score lower than 33. If you had stats like that^, you’d be setting yourself up in a good spot in that bottom 25%. It’s also important to note the difference between admitted students and enrolled students. Many high schoolers look at a colleges average admitted ACT/SAT score and freak out. However, most colleges purposely admitted students with high scores to bump that score up. In reality, however, the average scores for those attending are often a couple composite points lower. Of course, if you’re trying to make in into these crazy selective schools, you’re going to want you’re score in the 30s.
I also feel like many cc forums place way to much emphasis on standardized testing score. I’ve read from multiple scores that after a certain point that score becomes irrelevant to these selective schools. They’re not going to admit someone because they score two points higher on the ACT(assuming they’re in the 30s). From what hear, they glance at you’re score to see if you made the cut off. For example, anyone who scores a 32(each school is random and doesn’t state the minimum score) or above is all fair game at select random selective college. After that point, you’re score is irrelevant. It’s all about GPA, Class rank, recommendation letters, essays, etc.