If there is one question we have gotten more than any other, it’s this one:
“What is a good score on the ACT (or SAT)?”
Wouldn’t it be funny if we had an exact answer for that? Imagine answering that question with a perfectly straight face: “28.”
The real answer is that hallmark of ambiguity, “It depends.” Well, what does it depend on?
-Your score going into the test prep process.
-Your goals coming out of the test prep process.
Illustrative story to explain: I had a student a few years ago who started with an SAT score of 1460. We got her to 1700 after a good amount of blood, sweat and tears. When she got her score report with that 1700, she was so relieved and happy that she cried. It was a major victory for that student.
Now, would a 1700 be a “good score” for everyone? No. For some students, 1700 would be an unmitigated disaster. For others, 1700 is an impossible dream.
So here is a guidepost for you: set your goals based on the score you are starting from and the colleges you would love to attend. Be ambitious but reasonable—if you are scoring a 960 today, don’t set your goal at 1600, because setting unrealistic goals is like taking the express lane to disappointment. Make a list of colleges that includes “reach” schools and schools you’re likely to get into. Then do the work: take practice tests, study, and gear up. If you do all of those things, you’re going to get that “good score”…a score that is good for you.
