act essay score for ivy league

ACT Scores for Ivy League Admissions

A Side-by-Side Comparison of Ivy League Admissions Data

• ACT Test Prep
• Test Prep Strategies
• Study Skills
• SAT Test Prep
• GRE Test Prep
• LSAT Test Prep
• Certifications
• Homework Help
• Private School
• College Admissions
• College Life
• Graduate School
• Business School
• Distance Learning
• Ph.D., English, University of Pennsylvania
• M.A., English, University of Pennsylvania
• B.S., Materials Science & Engineering and Literature, MIT

Admission to any of the eight Ivy League schools is highly selective, and ACT scores are an important piece of the admissions equation. Generally applicants will need a composite score of 30 or higher to be competitive although some applicants are admitted with lower scores.

ACT Scores for the Eight Ivy League Schools

If you're wondering if you have the ACT scores you'll need to get into an Ivy League school, here's a side-by-side comparison of scores for the middle 50% of enrolled students. If your scores fall within or above these ranges, you're on target for the Ivy League. Keep in mind that these schools are so competitive that being within the ranges below is no guarantee of admission. You should always consider the Ivy League to be "reach" schools , even when your ACT scores are well within the ranges below.

Ivy League ACT Score Comparison (mid 50%) ( Learn what these numbers mean )

View the SAT version of this table

As the table reveals, successful Ivy League applicants typically have ACT scores in the 30s. More most of these elite schools, 25% of all applicants have earned a 35 or 36 on the ACT meaning they are in the top 1% of all test-takers nationally. 

What to Do if Your ACT Scores Are Low

Be sure to keep in mind that 25% of applicants score below the lower numbers above, so if you have impressive strengths in other areas, a less-than-ideal ACT score isn't necessarily the end of the road for your Ivy League chances. At all of the country's top colleges and universities, standardized test scores are just one part of the application. Most important is a strong academic record with lots of AP, IB, Dual Enrollment, and/or Honors Classes. Also important is a winning  admissions essay , positive letters of recommendation, a strong interview , and meaningful involvement in extracurricular activities . At many top schools, demonstrated interest and legacy status can also play a small roll in the final admissions decision. That said, very few applicants get in with scores that are significantly below the ranges in the table above.

Be Realistic About Your Chances

Because the Ivy League schools are so selective, it's important to never be complacent about your chances of getting in. Being in the top 1% of ACT test-takers does not mean you will receive an acceptance letter. As an example, if you look at the  graph of GPA-SAT-ACT data for Harvard University , you'll see that plenty of students with 4.0 GPAs and perfect standardized test scores did not get in. To be successful, all parts of your application need to impress the admissions folks. The Ivy League isn't simply looking for applicants who have strong numerical academic measures. They are looking for well-rounded applicants who will enrich the campus community in meaningful ways.

More ACT Score Information

Far too many ambitious students are obsessed with the Ivy League and lose sight of the fact that there are well over 2,000 non-profit four-year colleges in the United States. In many cases, an Ivy League school isn't the best choice for an applicants interests, career goals, and personality. If you compare ACT scores for top public universities , for example, you'll find that typical ACT scores are quite a bit lower than they are for the Ivy League.

Finally, keep in mind that the test-optional movement keeps gaining traction, and hundreds of colleges and universities don't require ACT scores as part of the admissions equation. Low ACT scores never need to mean the end of your college ambitions if you are a hard-working student with decent grades.

Data from the National Center for Education Statistics

• SAT Scores for Ivy League Admissions
• ACT Scores for Admission to Top Tennessee Colleges
• ACT Scores for Admission to Selective Liberal Arts Colleges
• ACT Score Comparison for Admission to Arkansas Colleges
• SAT Scores for Admission to Top Tennessee Colleges
• ACT Scores for Admission to SUNY
• ACT Scores for Admission to the Main Campuses in the University System of Ohio
• ACT Score Comparison for Admission to Kansas Colleges
• ACT Score Comparison for Admission to Washington D.C. Colleges
• ACT Score Comparison for Admission to Iowa Colleges
• ACT Scores for Admission to Top Missouri Colleges
• ACT Score Comparison for Admission to Indiana Colleges
• ACT Scores for Admission to the Southeastern Conference
• ACT Score Comparison for Admission to Louisiana Colleges
• ACT Score Comparison for Admission to Hawaii Colleges
• ACT Score Comparison for Admission to Illinois Colleges

LIVE MASTERCLASS: 7 Strategies For Parents To Help Your Child Earn $100,000 College Scholarships & Ace The New 2024 Digital SAT. Enroll Free!

Good ACT Score For Ivy League

Have you dreamed about attending Harvard, Yale, or Columbia since you were in middle school? Are Dartmouth or Princeton at the top of your college list? 

If you have your sights set on an Ivy League school, you are probably already aware of just how much hard work it will take to get accepted. You need strong essays, a stellar GPA, an impressive list of extracurricular activities, and of course, a good ACT score.

But what exactly constitutes a “good” ACT score? 

Many high school students wonder what ACT score is good enough for them to get into an Ivy League school. Often, these students believe that earning a perfect score on the ACT is the only way to impress Ivy League admittance boards.

However, this is not necessarily true. While it certainly won’t hurt to earn a perfect score, there are different criteria that students should consider when they determine their target score.

The most important factor that students need to keep in mind is their percentile score.

What is a percentile score?

Your percentile score shows how your ACT score compares to other students who took the test. If your score falls within the 50th percentile, for example, it means that you scored higher than about half of the students who took the ACT. If your score is in the 25th percentile, it means that you scored higher than a quarter of other students.

To stand out among other applicants when applying to competitive Ivy League schools, you want your percentile score to be as high as possible when compared to other applicants.

While you will significantly boost your chances of admission to any school if your ACT score is in the 99th percentile for each of the Ivy League schools on your list,  as a rule of thumb, you want to make sure your ACT score falls within at least the 75th percentile. This will mean that your score is higher than 75% of other applicants, which will make your application more competitive.

ACT score ranges

To help you determine the ACT score you need to aim for when you take the test, here are the ACT score ranges that make up the 75th- 99th percentile for all eight Ivy League schools:

As you can see, most of these colleges have the same mean ACT score and ACT score range to fall within the top 75% or higher of all applicants.

While you don’t need to earn a perfect score, you’ll need to get pretty close. If you want to be above average, you will need to aim for an ACT score of 35 or above. This means you’ll need to dedicate countless hours to studying for your ACT.

Preparing for the ACT

If you want to increase your chances of earning a 35 or above on the ACT, you need to spend months studying for the test and using every resource available to help you prepare.

One of the best resources you can use is Prep Expert.

We offer ACT prep courses that have helped over 50,000 students earn scores that helped them get into their dream colleges. Our classes are led by experienced, master instructors who know the ins and outs of the ACT and how to teach students both ACT content and strategies. When you take an ACT prep course, you will learn over 100 strategies that you can use on test day as well as tips for overcoming your weaknesses on the test.

In addition to ACT prep courses, we also offer private ACT tutoring. You can work one-on-one with expert instructors who scored in the 99th percentile on their own ACT tests and have the expertise necessary to help you reach your target score. When you work with a tutor, you can move at your own pace and have an instructor walking you through each step of the process so that you can be confident you’ll earn a good score on test day.

Learn more about how Prep Expert can equip you to earn a score that will wow Ivy League admissions officers and make your application stand out above the competition when you visit our website .

Related Articles

Harvard Brings Back Standardized Testing Requirements

Apr 23, 2024

Navigating the College Admissions Process: A Comprehensive Guide for Parents

Mar 5, 2024

Colleges With No Application Fee in 2024 – A Full List

Jan 30, 2024

Written by Prep Expert

More from prep expert.

Everything You Need to Know About ACT Idioms

If you’ve ever been stumped by an idiom on the ACT, you’re not the only one. Preparing for questions about…

Harvard College has just joined the ranks of Ivy League schools that have recently made the decision to reinstate standardized…

How to Improve Your ACT Score by 10 Points

Achieving a high score on the ACT opens doors to a multitude of opportunities, including scholarships, competitive programs, and more.…

$200 OFF COUPON CODE

Subscribe to our emails and get $200 OFF any Prep Expert Online Course.

Enter the coupon code SHARKTANK200 to save $200 OFF any Prep Expert Online Course!

By providing your email address, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms & Conditions

No thanks, I’d prefer to pay full price.

What is a Good ACT Writing Score?

The ACT Writing section is the only optional part of the ACT. However, optional does not mean unnecessary . A number of colleges do require it to be included with the rest of your ACT scores as part of their application process. If any of the schools you’re considering require you to take the ACT Writing Section, you definitely need to know what constitutes a good ACT Writing Score.

Start improving your ACT writing score (and everything else) today with Magoosh!

Act writing: essay percentiles.

The ACT Essay is scored from 1-6 in four categories by two graders. This gives you four scores from 2-12. You then receive a final ACT Essay score from 2-12 that is the average of these four scores. This is the score you will be reporting to colleges. For more detail on how the essay is scored, make sure you check out Rachel’s article on ACT Essay scores .

Here’s the breakdown for ACT essay scores and percentiles for the 2022 reporting period:

As you can see from this table, the mean, or average, score on the ACT Writing section is 6. It’s a good idea to aim for at least the 75th percentile, so in this case a good ACT writing score would be an 8 or above. A 9 or above would put you in the 96th percentile, which is great!

Of course, a lot depends on the schools to which you apply ( this thorough rundown on ACT scores has more info). Generally, the more selective the school, the higher your score should be to be competitive.

Universities that require the ACT Writing will almost always have an average score range on their admissions website, so make sure you do your research. If you aspire to Ivy League or other highly-selective schools , a 9 is the threshold you should try your best to reach to be safe.

However, most schools do not provide a cut-off score, so theoretically a below-average score will not eliminate you from being considered for admission. Then again, it won’t help you either.

If you are ever concerned that your essay score is inaccurate, however, you can ask for your essay to be re-scored. The $50 fee for the re-score will be refunded if you do get a higher score .

So what’s the takeaway from all of this? Really, a few key points:

• Research the schools you plan to apply to, and see which of them require the ACT Writing test.
• At the least, shoot for an 8+ overall score for a “good” ACT Writing score.
• A score of 9+ is an ideal score for applications to selective schools.
• If you believe your essay has been mis-scored, you may request a re-score for a fee.
• Don’t panic!

ACT Essay Grader

If you’re coming to this post after taking your first ACT practice test, you might be wondering how the heck you’re supposed to even grade your essay. You’re thinking, “What even IS my ACT Essay score?”

To start, let your essay sit for a day or two before grading it (it’s helpful to get some distance). Then, follow the official scoring rubric from ACT , and ask a trusted friend/teacher/parent to do the same. Be as objective as possible as you grade—you won’t do yourself any favors by inflating your score!

Then, use our handy ACT Essay Grading tool to find your score:

Click the button below to get started:   Start Quiz!

• Essays at this level will respond to all three perspectives offered.
• The thesis is nuanced and precise.
• The argument puts the issue in context insightfully, examining implications, complexities, tensions, values, and assumptions.
• Ideas and analysis are well developed and qualified.
• Organization is skillful and unified around a main idea; the essay progresses logically and uses transitions.
• Word choice, sentence structures, style and register are all skillfully and precisely used.
• Some errors that do not impede meaning may be present.
• The thesis is precise, though could be more nuanced.
• The argument puts the issue in context thoughtfully, examining implications, complexities, tensions, values, and assumptions.
• Ideas and analysis are mostly developed.
• Organization is productive and mostly unified around a main idea; the essay progresses logically and uses transitions.
• Language use is serviceable, if not skillful.
• Essays at this level will respond to at least two of the perspectives offered.
• The thesis is clear.
• The argument puts the issue in context, recognizing implications, complexities, tensions, values, and assumptions.
• Ideas and analysis are clear.
• Organization is clear and related to the main idea; the essay progresses logically and uses transitions.
• Word choice, sentence structures, style and register are all adequate.
• Some errors that impede meaning may be present.
• The thesis is somewhat clear.
• The issue’s context is limited or tangential.
• Ideas and analysis are relevant, but too general or specific.
• Organization is basic and mostly coherent.
• Language use is basic and unvaried.
• Distracting errors that impede meaning may be present.
• Essays at this level only weakly respond to multiple perspectives.
• The thesis may not be evident and analysis is incomplete, irrelevant, or repetitive.
• Development and illustration are weak, inadequate, or illogical, and the argument is unclear.
• Some attempt at organization is visible.
• Language use is inconsistent and distracting errors that impede meaning are present.
• The essay does not respond to the task.
• Analysis is unclear, while ideas are undeveloped and unsupported.
• Little to no organization is evident, while errors in language usage may be common and often impede understanding.

Question 1 of 2

Question 2 of 2

Elizabeth holds a degree in Psychology from The College of William & Mary. While there, she volunteered as a tutor and discovered she loved the personal connection she formed with her students. She has now been helping students with test prep and schoolwork as a professional tutor for over six years. When not discussing grammar or reading passages, she can be found trying every drink at her local coffee shop while writing creative short stories and making plans for her next travel adventure!

View all posts

More from Magoosh

30 responses to “What is a Good ACT Writing Score?”

I have a 24 on the written portion of the act. is that good?

Good question! 🙂 The quality of a score depends a lot on what you are comparing it to–if you only need an 18+ then a 24 is awesome! If you are supposed to get at least a 30, then a score of 24 would present a challenge to your application. A 24 is in about the 84th percentile, which means you are strong in the general pool of test takers. 🙂

If you know what you might need for the universities you like, that should be your guiding information, more than anything else. But good job! 🙂

My score is 8 out of 12.how much value do this score gain?

The new 1-12 scoring scale for the ACT Essay hasn’t been out long enough for there to be any official percentiles for the score ranges. But for the time being, you can still get a good idea of percentile by looking at this chart of percentiles for the original 36-point essay scale .

Because the maximum number of ACT Essay points is 1/3 of what it used to be (12 is 1/3 of 36), you can multiply your score by 3 to get the equivalent under the old scoring system. 8*3 = 24, and on the old chart linked above, a 24 puts you in the 88th percentile. This means you scored higher than 88% of all ACT Essay test-takers. This is pretty respectable. Congratulations!

How do I request a rescore on the writing section?

Here is some helpful info from act.org https://www.act.org/content/dam/act/unsecured/documents/Request-for-Score-Verification.pdf

My son scored a 5 out of 6 on the writing. How can that be. His ACT score was a 32. I do not understand the writing grade.

First off, congratulations on your son’s 32 on the general ACT. That’s a really good score! 🙂

As for the ACT, it sounds like your son actually got a 10 out of 12? Since he would have received a rating from two separate scorers who both looked at his essay, that 5 out of 6 figure should be doubled, I think.

Your son actually does have a pretty good ACT Writing score. If you were to put his score on the ACT’s regular 0-36 scale, his essay score is equivalent to about a 30. That’s very close to the 32 your son got on the rest of the test. The reason his ACT Writing score is in the single digits isn’t because it’s bad. Instead, his score shows a 5 out of 6 because the ACT recently changed the scoring scale for ACT Writing, so that it’s not in the same 36 point range as the rest of the exam.

My daughter is in 8th grade. She scored a 32 on her ACT Exam (36 in English, 35 in Reading, 30 in Science, 26 in Math). I was familiar with all of those scores and understand that she did pretty well. However, I have no experience with the writing score. She scored a 9 on the writing. I am not sure how good this is. Should she retake it? She doesn’t really know her future college plans, but she does want the option to attend an Ivy League school. Does she need to retake the writing portion again?

Hello Lisa,

A 9 is strong! That puts your daughter above the 90th percentile in writing, and seems in line with the rest of her score. If she wanted to improve the writing for whatever reason, there is room to do so, and it may be necessary just to pull the science/math scores up to the level of her English/reading scores, too. But this is an amazing outcome for an 8th grader. The ACT is meant to showcase knowledge obtained through all of high school, so she will likely improve just by dint of having completed more years of school. 🙂

My daughter got a 27 and a 10 on the writing for her first test. Can she keep the Writing score and then only re-take the ACT portion? So, she would be submitting results from two different tests.

Unfortunately it is almost never possible to submit portions of separate test sessions. I can only think of one time ever that this has been allowed, so your daughter will almost certainly need to retake the entire test.

I got a 10/12, but I felt like I did terrible on it. My thoughts were unorganized, decentralized, and incoherent. How is it possible that I scored within the top 3%? Also, does the percentile only include those who decided to take the writing portion, or was the sample from students from all demographics?

On the bright side, this appears to be a situation in which you did better than you thought! Perhaps, your writing was not as incoherent as you thought. Great job! 😀

With regard to sample, please note that the score is only reported when the student takes the optional writing portion. I hope this helps a little! Again, great job. 🙂

Hi I got a 22 on the test portion and an 8 for the writing. I feel like my scores are pretty low and I’m taking the SAT this Saturday so hopefully that will look better. What do you think about my scores? Good, bad, moderate?

Your score for the four-section multiple choice portion of the ACT is definitely not competitive. In terms of ACT percentiles , this only puts you in the 63rd percentile. However, your 8 in ACT Writing is relatively good. That would be an 82nd percentile score.

Different test-takers will find either the ACT or SAT to be easier. So trying your luck with the SAT might not be a bad idea. However, you should also be open to retaking the ACT. Your Writing score indicates that you have strong language arts skills, and there may be ways you can build on those skills to greatly improve in Reading on either the SAT or ACT. And of course, strong writing skills can be used to improve your accuracy in either ACT English or SAT Writing & Language.

As you consider which of these to tests is best, I recommend reading our post on ACT vs. SAT .

I got an 8 on the reading and a 24 overall composite score…is that good or should I retake?

Do you mean 8 on the reading or 8 on the writing? If you got an 8 (out of 46) on reading, I would absolutely retake the test to raise that score. If you got an 8 (out of 12) on the writing, that is more in like with your 24 overall. I will say that aiming for 27+ is often better, but the score you really need should be determined based on the schools you want to attend. If you haven’t done research into that yet, I highly recommend you do. 🙂

Hi, My son took the Feb ACT and got a 33 (35, 33, 32, 31) but didn’t take the writing. So he retook the test in April and received a lower score of 30 (27, 33, 32,31) but received a 12/12 in the writing. Will schools superscore his ELA score; so taking the 35 Eng/32 Reading from Feb test and the 12 (36) from April writing for a superscore of 34? Not sure you can superscore with only taking the writing one time? Thanks in advance. Lisa W.

This will depend heavily on the individual schools, but it is worth sending the full applicant profile to show that there is relative consistency in abilities and a strong writing ability. That said, the most common way to handle scores is to just take one single session/date rather than pick and choose higher outcomes. It may be word contacting some admissions committees to get their take on the matter, too. I hope that helps!

I got a 35 on the test: 36 math, 35 english, 34 reading, and 34 science. that’s great and all, but I completely potatoed the writing with a 9. How much weight does the writing have in applications for ivy league colleges?

Hi Franklin,

Oh no! I have potatoed a part of a test before, and it’s super frustrating. Unfortunately, my answer is going to be a little frustrating, too, because the answer is “it depends.” I would investigate the admissions pages and, if they don’t give you enough details, email admissions directly to ask how much the ACT writing versus the application essays count. In some cases, you will likely be fine, but there will be others where both matter. Good luck!

my son got a 34 composite but 7 on the essay writing. Is that bad?

Wow–your son has a stellar composite score! A 34 puts him in a competitive range for many of the top universities in the country (see this post for more information). As we mention in this blog post, we suggest that students aim for an 8 or higher, but a lower essay score won’t necessarily make or break the application. Schools look at a lot of information as they make their admissions decisions, and as long as you son has a strong overall profile, a slightly lower essay score may not cause too much fuss. I highly recommend that you talk to an admissions counselor at your son’s target schools to get their input before making any decisions!

Hi, I got a 10 on writing, and that’s a pretty high percentile on the chart. However, if I would like to go to a more selective college, and I come from a very competitive high [school where there are likely to be 50+ people with a similar 9+ score, would my 10 still give me an edge?

A 10 is an excellent score–congrats on such a strong essay! 98th percentile is very impressive. You reached the ‘threshold’ for top selective schools, so I’m not sure what sort of ‘edge’ an extra point in writing might give you. However, our expertise is in test prep, not admissions advice, so I’m afraid that we aren’t the best people to answer this question. I recommend that you speak with a guidance or admissions counselor at your high school and your target universities. Good luck!

Hey I got a 7 on the writing, and an overall score of 25 in the test (math:21, english: 26, science:24) do you think that is a good score?

Congrats on taking the ACT! Whether or not this is a good score depends on your target schools and college plans. Your scores are above average , but each school has it’s own requirements. I recommend contacting your target schools directly for more information about the average scores at their schools.

Hello! I got a 9 on the writing portion for the Act, but a 25 overall. (23 math, 23 science, 22 English, 32 reading) I retook the test recently, and felt I did much better than last time. Would I be able to submit a super-score, with my writing score. Or would I be unable to do that.

Yes, you should be able to do that. The ACT says that “your superscore is the average of your best scores from each subject from multiple test attempts.” Be sure to read over the Superscore FAQs from this official ACT page for more information!

Best of luck to you! 😀

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

• SAT BootCamp
• SAT MasterClass
• SAT Private Tutoring
• SAT Proctored Practice Test
• ACT Private Tutoring
• Academic Subjects
• College Essay Workshop
• Academic Writing Workshop
• AP English FRQ BootCamp
• 1:1 College Essay Help
• Online Instruction
• Free Resources

Average ACT Scores: The Latest Data

Bonus Material: ACT score ranges at 499 schools

Every day, students and families ask us to help them understand ACT scores. 

In this post, we’ll do a deep dive into the data to answer all of your questions about average ACT scores. 

We’ll answer what’s the average ACT score in the US for this year—but also the average ACT score for the Ivy League , the average ACT score at the best universities and liberal arts colleges in the US, and average ACT score at the top public universities . 

We’ll find out how common is a perfect score , which states have the highest average ACT scores, and how ACT scores have changed over time.

Finally, we’ll show how to use this data to help navigate the college admissions process more successfully.

We did exhaustive original research to get the latest data that’s not easily available, from dozens of separate sources (including working directly with admissions offices at universities throughout the country). As Princeton grads who love data, we did all the hard work so you don’t have to!

In this post we’ll cover:

How to use average ACT scores to improve your college admissions strategy

• What’s a good ACT score?
• What’s the average ACT score?
• Which schools have the highest ACT scores?
• What’s the average ACT score for the Ivy League?
• What’s the average ACT score for the top universities?
• What’s the average ACT score for the top liberal arts colleges?
• What’s the average ACT score for the top public universities?
• What’s the average ACT score for the Big Ten universities?
• What’s the average ACT score for the top 50 schools in the US?
• What’s the average ACT score in each state?

How to improve your ACT score

• Bonus: ACT score ranges for 499 schools

Average ACT scores can be a powerful tool in crafting your admissions strategy.

They’re obviously not the entirety of a college application— all the other elements matter , especially your high school academic record.

For example, though, imagine you had a 29 composite score for your ACT. That’s a great score! It’s the 90th percentile for the US, which means your score would be higher than 90% of other students!

However, if you had a 29 ACT score, that would be a very low score at the nation’s top schools:

Checking out the distribution of ACT scores at the top schools, we see that only about 5% of students (a few dozen students) at these top schools had scores in the 20s . . . and we can assume that those people had something REALLY amazing about them—they are probably Olympic athletes or published scientists or students who fought exceptional circumstances (refugees from war zones, etc).

We can see that at these top schools, roughly 95% of students scored in the 30s in English, 85% scored in the 30s for Math, and 95% of students have composite ACT scores in the 30s .

What does this mean for students hoping to apply to the Ivy League and other top schools?

Uncovering the data for the distribution of ACT scores at colleges and universities throughout the US allows us to get a better sense of an applicant’s chances at a given school. A good general rule is that your ACT score should fall within the 25th and 75th percentile at your target schools. 

( Percentile means the percentage of students compared to whom your score would be higher. So 15th percentile means that your score would be higher than that of 15% of other students, but that 85% of students would have a higher score than yours. Or 80th percentile means that you scored higher than 80% of other students. We use percentiles to talk about where an individual student falls within a given distribution.)

It’s okay to apply to a few schools where your ACT score would be below the 25th percentile, but those are “reach” schools for you, and you should expect that your chances of admission are low at those schools, especially if you don’t have exceptional grades, extracurriculars, and essays.

On the other hand, schools where your ACT scores are above the 75th percentile—assuming your grades are okay—are probably “safe” schools where you are more likely to be admitted.

We also like for “safety” schools to have an acceptance rate higher than about 30%, since even for an amazing applicant there’s a significant element of chance at the most competitive schools.

In this way, you can use your ACT scores to craft a balanced college application list, with at least two safety schools, two target schools, and two reach schools.

(By the end of your junior year, it’s hard to change your GPA or your extracurriculars—but it’s definitely possible to improve your ACT scores and your college essays. Want to boost your ACT scores so that they’ll be within range for your dream school? Check out our one-on-one ACT tutoring .)

A note about test-optional: although many schools have temporarily implemented test-optional policies to adapt to the Covid-19 pandemic, we can see from the data that at the top schools the vast majority of admitted students did submit ACT or SAT scores. Looking at detailed information from the admissions offices, ACT and SAT scores will still be used for admissions purposes if they’re submitted, so good scores can still be part of a compelling application. It’s also unclear how long the test-optional policies will last, so we still advise students to take the ACT and/or SAT and try to get the best scores possible.

What’s a good ACT score?

It depends! We answer this question in more detail in another post . But generally speaking, a “good” ACT score for you will be in the range between the 25th and 75th percentiles for your target schools, and it should be above the 75th percentile for your safety schools.

Your score can be below the 25th percentile for your reach schools, but know that they’re exactly that—a reach—and your chances of admittance are low, especially if you don’t have some other aspect in which you’re exceptional (or at least above-average for that particular school).

Read on below to see if your score is above-average for the US or for your state!

Download ACT score ranges for 499 schools

National average ACT score

What’s the average ACT score in the US for 2022? The short answer is 19.9 for English, 20.2 for Math, 21.1 for Reading, 20.5 for Science, and 20.6 for the composite ACT.

But we have a lot more useful data than just these numbers!

For starters, we learn a lot more when we look at a histogram showing the distribution of scores on a national level. 

Below are the score distributions for all students taking the ACT during the the 2021–2022 reporting year:

Each bar on the graphs represents the percentage of students who earned that particular score in the 2021 testing year. For example, the most common score on the Math section of the ACT in 2021 was a 16, and approximately 155,440 students across the US earned this score. 

Looking at the shape of the graphs, we see that more students across the US score very highly in English and Reading than in Math or Science.

If we look at how many students scored very highly (in the 34–36 range), we see that 78,299 students scored in this range for English and 87,571 students for Reading, compared to 30,005 students for Math and 37,056 students for Science—so very high scores are more than twice as common for English and Reading than for Math and Science.

In total, 31,913 students in 2021 had composite scores in the 34–36 range . Broadening slightly, we learn that 123,183 students in 2021 had composite ACT scores in the 30s .

As we’ll see below, nearly all of the students at the Ivy League and other top-tier schools came from among this group of 123,183 students (or the analogous group of high SAT scorers). 

In general, English and Reading scores are more spread out—more students with quite low or quite high scores—compared to Math and Science scores. (For anyone wanting the stats, the standard deviation is 7.2 for English, 5.7 for Math, 7.0 for Reading, and 5.9 for Science.)

Digging into the data, we can learn that in 2021, 4,055 students across the US got a perfect 36 composite ACT score . (Note that, because the ACT composite score is an average of all four sections, it’s possible to get a “perfect” composite score while scoring 35 on two of the sections.)

Interestingly, there’s been an increase in the number of students getting perfect scores over the past two and a half decades, especially since 2012. Check out this graph showing the percentage of students who got a perfect composite score of 36 on the ACT between the years 1996 and 2021:

These are still very low numbers—in 2021, only 4,055 students taking the ACT earned a perfect score. However, the percentage of students getting a 36 on the ACT has gone from less than 0.01% to 0.34% in 2020! (There’s a small dip for 2021, which we can likely attribute to the Covid-19 pandemic.)

The makers of the ACT have assured us that this isn’t because the test is getting easier!

Rather, our hypothesis is that the rise in students getting perfect scores is because more high-achieving SAT “superstars” are now also taking the ACT, whereas before they would have only taken the SAT.

(Wondering about the difference between the SAT and the ACT, and why it makes sense to take both? Check out our discussion of whether to take the SAT or the ACT .

In fact, the average ACT score has been pretty consistent between 1990 (when the test format and scoring scale was changed) and 2017. Reading has always had the highest average nationally, while since 1997 English has had the lowest average nationally.

If anything, the average ACT scores have fallen since 2017, and took an especially sharp drop in the past two years (since 2020). We can assume that the drop from 2020 has likely been due to the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Which schools have the highest average ACT scores?

Wondering which schools in the US have the highest ACT scores? Number one is not Harvard or Stanford! Here’s the scoop. 

We focused on the middle 50% of students at each school—the range between the 25th percentile and the 75th percentile—because that gives us a much clearer picture of the distribution of scores than a single number. Using this 25/75 range, we get a good sense of the “average” student at one of these schools.

Here are the schools with the highest composite ACT scores in the US:

Students at CalTech have the highest ACT scores in the country! At least 25% of students at CalTech scored a 35 on the ACT. Impressive!

The schools with the highest ACT scores tend to be STEM-focused schools, since fewer students nationwide earn a 36 in Math and Science.

We can also look at the breakdown for the individual ACT Math and English sections. (Data for the Reading and Science sections isn’t commonly reported, so we’ve been unable to include it here.)

Here’s a visualization of the schools with the highest ACT English scores:

The schools with the highest ACT English scores are CalTech, MIT, Duke, UChicago, and Harvard.

We can see that the English scores at the top schools are a little higher than the Math scores.

This makes sense in light of the distribution of scores nationally—significantly fewer students have top scores in Math and Science compared to English and Reading.

Here’s a visualization of the schools with the highest ACT Math scores:

The school with the highest ACT Math scores is CalTech, followed by MIT and Harvey Mudd , then Carnegie Mellon, Rice, Johns Hopkins, Duke, and Bowdoin.

Unsurprisingly, these are mostly STEM-focused schools!

What percentage of students at these top schools have a perfect 36?

We can’t tell this exactly from the published data, but for some schools we know that at least 25% of the students have a perfect 36: Caltech, MIT, Rice, and Johns Hopkins.

We also know that at the top schools roughly 90% of students have scores in the 30s.

This is perhaps a good reminder that a great ACT score alone doesn’t guarantee admission to the most competitive schools, since (unfortunately) it’s not particularly exceptional at those schools.

Check out the average ACT scores at your dream school with this list of scores of 499 US colleges and universities:

Download now

What is the average ACT score for the Ivy League?

What’s the Ivy League, and what is the average ACT score for the Ivy League schools? 

Technically the Ivy League is actually an athletic league!

The term was coined in the 1930s and made official in 1954, when Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Columbia, Penn, Brown, Dartmouth, and Cornell formed an agreement to balance competition in football with high academic standards.

From the 1950s, these eight schools organized athletic competitions in many sports, and they gradually also added committees to develop intercollegiate policies for admissions and financial aid. 

The Ivy League represents some of the oldest and most prestigious schools in the country. Here’s the complete list:

• Harvard University, founded 1636, in Cambridge, MA
• Yale University, founded 1701, in New Haven, CT
• University of Pennsylvania, founded 1740, in Philadelphia, PA
• Princeton University, founded 1746, in Princeton, NJ
• Columbia University, founded 1754, in New York City, NY
• Brown University, founded 1764, in Providence, RI
• Dartmouth College, founded 1769, in Hanover, NH
• Cornell University, founded 1865, in Ithaca, NY

Here is the range between the 25th percentile and the 75th percentile for composite ACT scores at the eight Ivy League schools:

We can see that the range is very consistent across the Ivies and very narrow, between 32/33 and 35. We get a fuller picture when we look at the ranges for the individual sections:

Splitting apart the section scores reveals that most students at the Ivies have a perfect or near-perfect score for English.

At least a quarter of the students in the Ivy League scored a perfect 36 on the English section, and 75% of them scored at least a 34. (At Harvard, 75% of students scored either a 35 or a 36.)

The ranges are a bit broader when it comes to the Math section, which is more difficult on the ACT.

At least 75% of students at all of the Ivies still scored in the 30s, but the ranges are definitely lower than for English.

(Data for the Reading and Science sections isn’t commonly reported, so we haven’t included them here. Looking at the national data, we can extrapolate that ranges for Reading are similar to English, and ranges for Science are similar to Math.)

The average ACT scores for the entire Ivy League are 31–35 for Math, 34–36 for English, and 33–35 for the composite ACT.

That means that if your dream is to attend an Ivy-League school, you should work to get your ACT scores into the 30s, ideally in the super-high 34–36 range, especially for English and Reading .

We can take a look at the numbers here:

Average ACT scores for the top research universities in the US (Ivies+)

The Ivies are certainly some of the best universities in the US, but not all of the top universities are in the Ivy League, since the Ivy League schools are only on the East Coast.

There are a few other top universities that rank among the Ivies—or, in some cases, higher than some of the less-competitive Ivies (like Cornell and Dartmouth).

This list of top-tier universities is sometimes known as the “Ivies Plus,” or “Ivies+.” This isn’t a fixed list, but typically it includes at least Stanford, MIT, and UChicago, and sometimes up to the top twenty or so universities in the US, adding Caltech, Northwestern, Duke, Johns Hopkins, Vanderbilt, Rice, WashU, UCLA, and Notre Dame.

Here, we show the range between the 25th percentile and the 75th percentile at the top 20 US universities for ACT composite scores:

We can also zoom in a bit more and look at the section scores for English and Math:

Looking at the graphs, we can see that average ACT scores are consistently very high at all of the top 20 universities. The middle 50% of students scored in the 30s for Math, English, and the composite ACT at all of these top-tier schools .

For example, at Harvard, a 35 for English would be in the 25th percentile, so 75% of students have above a 35! A 31 Math would be in the 25th percentile, so 75% of students have above a 31 Math.

A perfect 36 is very common at CalTech, MIT, Rice, and Johns Hopkins, where at least 25% of students have a 36 composite score on the ACT.

More students at these schools have perfect 36s than at Harvard, Yale, and Princeton because it’s less common to earn a 36 on the Math and Science sections of the ACT.

At least 25% of students at most of these top schools have a perfect 36 in English, but only at CalTech and MIT do at least 25% of students have a perfect 36 in Math.

So when it comes to the schools with the highest overall ACT scores, it’s the STEM-focused schools that come out on top!

We can dig into the data a little more to see the distribution of scores at each of these top-tier schools.

Generally speaking, about 95% of students at the top 20 universities scored in the 30s on the ACT. (This drops to about 85% of students for schools at the bottom of the top-20 list like Notre Dame.)

The graphs show us that there were only a handful of students in each class year with Math or English scores lower than 30. We can assume that these students were exceptional in other ways!

As a whole, the average ACT scores for the top 20 universities in the US are 34–36 for English, 31–35 for Math, and 33–35 for composite ACT scores .

This means that if you hope to apply to the top-tier universities in the US, you should aim for ACT scores in the 30s, ideally in the 34–36 range .

Check out the numbers here:

Average ACT scores for top-ranked liberal arts colleges

You’re probably heard the phrase “liberal arts college” before, but what is it exactly and how is it different from a university?

In a nutshell, liberal arts colleges are smaller and more focused on undergraduate students compared to research universities. In fact, many liberal arts colleges do not offer any graduate degree programs.

Liberal arts colleges are also more likely to be focused on broader multi-disciplinary studies, and less likely to be focused on preparing students for specific vocations.

That doesn’t mean that they don’t support students’ career goals, but they tend to offer more flexibility to explore different areas of study.

These schools may be smaller, but their academics aren’t any less stellar.

Here we can see the ACT score ranges at the top 30 schools on the US News and World Report ranking , ordered by admissions rate:

As we can see, the average ACT scores at the top liberal arts colleges in the US are quite high.

In fact, average ACT scores at Pomona, Williams, Harvey Mudd, Haverford, Hamilton, Washington & Lee, and Vassar are comparable to the scores at the Ivy League and other top-tier universities.

As a whole, the average ACT scores for the top 30 liberal arts colleges in the US are 31–35 for English, 27–32 for Math, and 30–33 for composite ACT scores .

Broadly speaking, if you’re hoping to attend a top-tier liberals arts college, you want your total ACT score to be in the 30s, though it’s okay if your Math or Science section score is in the high 20s .

Check out the numbers here: 

Average ACT scores for top-ranked public universities

Of course, there are some fantastic public universities throughout the US, many of which are nearly as competitive as the Ivy League and other top-tier private schools. (In recent years, one public university, UCLA, has even broken into the ranks of the top 20 schools in the US.)

For specific programs or majors, these schools might even offer more opportunities than private colleges and universities.

In fact, back in 1985 a Yale Admissions officer coined the phrase “public Ivies” to describe the best of the public universities, in his book Public Ivies: A Guide to America’s Best Public Undergraduate Colleges and Universities.

A more recent list was published by Howard and Matthew Greene’s 2001 book The Public Ivies: America’s Flagship Public Universities. According to this book, the top 30 public universities in the US are the following:

Northeastern

• Pennsylvania State University (University Park)
• Rutgers University (New Brunswick)
• State University of New York at Binghamton 
• University of Connecticut (Storrs)

Mid-Atlantic

• College of William & Mary (Williamsburg, Virginia)
• University of Delaware (Newark)
• University of Maryland (College Park)
• University of Virginia (Charlottesville)
• University of Florida (Gainesville)
• University of Georgia (Athens)
• University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
• University of Texas at Austin

Great Lakes & Midwest

• Indiana University Bloomington
• Miami University (Oxford, Ohio)
• Michigan State University (East Lansing)
• Ohio State University (Columbus)
• University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign
• University of Iowa (Iowa City)
• University of Michigan (Ann Arbor)
• University of Minnesota, Twin Cities
• University of Wisconsin–Madison
• University of Arizona (Tucson)
• University of California, Berkeley
• University of California, Davis
• University of California, Irvine
• University of California, Los Angeles
• University of California, San Diego
• University of California, Santa Barbara
• University of Colorado Boulder
• University of Washington (Seattle)

We expanded this list of the “public Ivies” to show you the average ACT scores at the top 50 public universities in the US , ordered according to the US News and World Report rankings . A dot indicates schools on the list of “public Ivies”:

We can notice that, as with the top-tier universities and liberal arts colleges, the average ACT scores at most top public universities are higher for Math than for English, likely because the top students study hard to raise their ACT Math scores, but it’s harder to raise ACT English scores.

We can also notice a few schools with especially high ACT Math scores compared to their ACT English, like the University of Illinois, the University of Wisconsin (Madison), and Purdue. These happen to be universities with particularly strong programs in math and engineering.

At Indiana University and University of Iowa, on the other hand, the average ACT English scores are higher than the average ACT Math scores. This might reflect the fact that Indiana University is one of the top schools in the country for music, while the University of Iowa is well-known for its writing programs.

As a whole, the average ACT scores for the 50 best public universities in the US are 25–33 for English, 25–31 for Math, and 27–32 for composite ACT scores .

Roughly speaking, this means that if you hope to attend one of the top large public universities, you should aim for a composite ACT score in the 30s or high 20s .

*Note that through 2025, the University of California schools aren’t accepting ACT or SAT scores. (They’re not just test-optional, they’re test-blind, so they won’t look at scores if submitted.) However, as we discussed above, looking at historic ACT data can still give a good idea about the competitiveness of the schools and your general chances of admission.

Average ACT scores for Big Ten universities

What is the Big Ten? Like the Ivy League , it’s also an athletic league first and foremost.

But in the Midwest, the Big Ten is shorthand for many of the top large universities: the Universities of Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, and Wisconsin, along with Michigan State, Northwestern, Ohio State, Penn State, Purdue, and Rutgers.

(For many decades, the conference had ten schools, hence the name, though currently it has fourteen.)

The schools of the Big Ten conference are known for combining academic achievement with athletic success. Most are public universities, but Northwestern is a top-tier private university. 

We can see that the average ACT scores at the Big Ten universities are high:

As a whole, the average ACT scores for the Big Ten conference are 25–32 for English, 24–30 for Math, and 25–31 for composite ACT scores .

This means that, broadly speaking, if you want to go to a Big Ten university, you’ll want your composite ACT score to be in the 30s or high 20s.

Average ACT scores for the top 50 colleges and universities in the US

So far we’ve been looking at schools divided by category—Ivies, research universities, liberal arts colleges, and public universities.

Wondering what the average ACT scores are for all of the top 50 schools combined in the US?

Here’s the ranges of the middle 50% of students at the top 50 schools (determined by admissions rate) in the US:

As a whole, the average ACT scores for the top 50 colleges and universities in the US are 32–35 for English, 30–34 for Math, and 32–35 for composite ACT scores .

This means that a good rule of thumb for anyone who wants to apply to a top-50 school is to aim for an ACT score in the 30s .

Don’t see your dream school on this list? Wondering what the average ACT scores are for the rest of the colleges and universities?

Check out this list of ACT score ranges at 499 colleges and universities across the country:

Average ACT scores by state

Wondering which state has the highest ACT score?

One answer might be Massachusetts, where the average ACT score in 2021 was 27.6 total—7 points higher than the national average of 20.6! Connecticut wasn’t far behind, with an average ACT score of 27.2.

This map shows the average total ACT scores by state. At first glance, it looks like the Northeast states and California are at the top:

But before we wonder what those Northeastern states are doing right. . . it’s actually a bit more complicated!

Some states have very low participation rates for the ACT, meaning that not very many students take the test. (Note that participation rates have been affected in recent years by the Covid-19 pandemic, and some states that normally have nearly 100% participation are down.)

So in Massachusetts and Connecticut, where the scores are quite high, only 7% and 9% of students in the state actually took the test. Participation numbers are similarly low for the entire Northeast, which the SAT has traditionally dominated. We can assume that the students who go out of their way to take the ACT in these states tend to be more prepared than average, skewing the scores higher. 

If we first map the participation rates across the US, it looks like this:

We can see that the ACT is most commonly used in the Midwest and in the South. The states with the highest participation rates are those where all high school students are required to take the SAT, like Nevada.

With that in mind, let’s look again at the average ACT scores in each states—but this time, let’s only show states with a participation rate greater than 10% :

Without those SAT-dominant states, the map looks quite different!

Now the highest-scoring states are the District of Columbia, with an average ACT score of 25.6 and a participation rate of 19%; Illinois, with an average ACT score of 25.2 and a participation rate of 19%; and New Jersey, with an average ACT score of 25.1 and a participation rate of 12%. 

All of these participation rates are still pretty low, though. If we look at only the states where 30% or more of graduating seniors took the ACT, our map looks like this:

Of these high-participation states, the winners are Minnesota (average 21.6 ACT), South Dakota (average 21.6 ACT), and Iowa (21.6). All of these are higher than, but much closer to, the national average of 20.6. 

Check out the average score for your state here:

Wondering what to do next?

If you’ve never taken the ACT before, try doing a full official ACT practice test at home ( check out our instructions ) to get an idea of your score. This tells you where your starting place is.

You can then use our formula to estimate how much you can reasonably expect to increase your ACT scores .

If your scores are lower, it’s easier to increase your score by a bigger amount. If your scores are already in the 30s, then it’s harder to get those final gains.

With your estimated scores, you can already get a sense of where you’d be a competitive candidate—these are schools where your ACT score would be more or less “average,” falling within the middle 50% of students.

Taking into account the other aspects of your application, like GPA and extracurriculars, you can start to build your college list .

Next . . . it’s time to raise those ACT scores ! Boosting your test scores is one of the easiest ways to increase your admissions chances. Smart, targeted practice can make a big difference. 

In some cases, you might also want to learn or review math or grammar concepts that you either didn’t cover in high school or have forgotten. (Since the ACT covers material that some students will have covered in their middle school math classes, it’s not uncommon for students to have forgotten how to graph a polynomial function or find the measure of an angle inscribed in a circle.) 

It’s also a good idea to familiarize yourself with the format of the test overall, and there are many test-taking strategies that one can use to take the test more efficiently and avoid trick answers.

Finally, consider whether there are any other factors that affect your test-taking abilities. Do you get nervous on test days? Do you tend to run out of time on a particular section? Do you tend to lose focus after too long trying to read long passages? There are techniques for mitigating all of these and more.

Not sure how to study more effectively, struggling with certain concepts, or just generally want some help?

We’ve helped thousands of students boost their ACT scores with our one-on-one ACT tutoring . We’re happy to chat about your particular challenges .

You also might want to check out the SAT and see which test is a better fit for your strengths. You can read our comparison of the two tests and take a look at our deep dive into average SAT score data .

Once you’ve studied, it’s time to take the test !

Ideally, be strategic about when you schedule your tests.

Many students take the ACT multiple times, with between two to four times being the most common. In between each test date, learn from your experience with the previous test to study more effectively and target problem areas.

Once you know your final ACT score, revise your college list to make sure you have at least two “target” schools (where you’re in the middle 50%) and at least two “safety” schools (where you’re in the top 25%).

Make sure to pay attention to the other components of your college applications , too—your GPA, college essays, extracurriculars, letters of recommendation, and interview matter too.

Submit your applications your senior year of high school and relax!

Download ACT score ranges for 499 US colleges and universities

Here’s what you’ll get with this handy resource:

• Middle 50 ACT composite scores for the top 499 U.S. colleges and universities
• Middle 50 ACT sectional scores for English and Math
• Admit rate for each college
• All based on the most recent available data (2020)

Emily graduated  summa cum laude  from Princeton University and holds an MA from the University of Notre Dame. She was a National Merit Scholar and has won numerous academic prizes and fellowships. A veteran of the publishing industry, she has helped professors at Harvard, Yale, and Princeton revise their books and articles. Over the last decade, Emily has successfully mentored hundreds of students in all aspects of the college admissions process, including the SAT, ACT, and college application essay. 

CHECK OUT THESE RELATED POSTS

Average SAT Scores: The Latest Data

June 24, 2022

What's the average SAT score? for your state? at the Ivy League? Learn how to improve your college admissions strategy using SAT score data to…

What’s a Good ACT Score for 2023? Our Data-Backed Answer

May 6, 2022

What is a good ACT score? Is there such thing as a bad ACT score? What score do you need to get into college? Prep Maven experts weigh in here!

The ACT Format: Everything You Need to Know

March 2, 2020

What's on the ACT? This test is very different from the SAT! In this post, we discuss ACT format, scores, timing, and more.

Privacy Preference Center

Privacy preferences.

Ivy League ACT Scores: What to Aim For to Maximize Your Chances

Before you begin preparing for the ACT , it’s important to have a sense of what your score goals are. A good way to start figuring that out is to generate a list of schools you’re interested in and then research score statistics for each. Test scores are one piece of information that applicants can use to sort their prospective future academic homes into the three categories beloved by college counselors everywhere—reach schools, target schools, and safety schools. Inevitably, though, many students are curious about the same thing: what ACT scores would I need to get into an Ivy League school? In this post, we’ll answer that question.

But First, A Piece of Unsolicited Advice

Look, the Ivy League is comprised of fantastic schools. There’s a reason names like Harvard, Yale, and Princeton are used as benchmarks of academic excellence. And if you absolutely have your heart set on one of those illustrious institutions, feel free to skip this portion of the post.

If you’re here because you’re doing initial research, though, or even just because you’re curious, I would be remiss if I didn’t take the opportunity to say this: there are so many phenomenal schools outside of the Ivy League. No, really—higher education does in fact exist outside of the northeastern United States. I promise.

Joking aside, the best advice I can give to anyone in the early stages of the college search process is to start as broad as possible. Think about more than the name on the front of the building. Consider location, size, cost, and the specific strength of the school’s academic programs in any particular areas you’re already passionate about. This country has an incredible number of places where you can get a fantastic education, and the vast majority of them aren’t Ivy League schools. Don’t be so focused on applying to the “best” schools that you miss out on the best school for you.

Average Ivy League ACT Scores

Below is a list I’ve compiled of ACT composite score ranges for Ivy League schools. The first number is the 25 th percentile score (so the score that would place you at or above the level of a quarter of the admitted students that year), while the second is the 75 th percentile. All numbers come from the IPEDS database , provided by the National Center for Education Statistics, and represent the stats for the application class of Fall 2019.

• Brown University: 33-35
• Columbia University: 33-35
• Cornell University: 32-35
• Dartmouth College: 32-35
• Harvard University: 33-35
• University of Pennsylvania: 33-35
• Princeton University: 33-35
• Yale University: 33-35

Unsurprisingly, the trend is pretty consistent, and the takeaway is clear: if you want ACT scores that are competitive with the Yale average or the Harvard average, you’re aiming for roughly a 34 composite.

It’s also interesting to note that the ACT English scores that represented the 25 th and 75 th percentiles were higher than the corresponding ACT Math scores for all eight Ivy League schools. Princeton, for instance, had an English range of 34-36 but a Math range of “only” 31-35.

It’s likely that this has more to do with the relative strengths of students who choose to submit ACT scores versus those who choose to submit SAT scores than with any kind of preference on the part of the schools (particularly because the percentiles of SAT scores for admitted students showed the exact opposite trend); however, it does mean that your application may stand out slightly more if you apply with an extremely high ACT Math score. Whether that really makes any kind of a difference during the evaluation process is a question that I’ll leave to the admissions experts.

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

If your dream school is an Ivy, why not schedule some time with our online ACT tutors ? Our squad of test gurus would love to help you hit that sky-high score you’re aiming for.

Related Ivy League & ACT Resources:

• An Overview of the ACT and ACT Test Prep
• Must Know SAT Grammar Rules For 2023
• How To Choose Between the SAT and the ACT
• Strategies For ACT Math: How To Conquer the Section
• Ivy League SAT Scores: What To Shoot For To Bolster Your Application
• 3 Tips For Applying to Ivy League Schools
• The Secret To Gaining Acceptance To The Ivy League
• A Graduate’s Guide To Thriving at Harvard

RECENT POSTS

ACT and SAT Score Comparison: Score Conversions and Chart

ACT Test Dates 2024: Upcoming Test Dates & Deadlines for the ACT Exam

How To Check Your SAT Score: A Step-By-Step Guide

Sign Up For the Latest News

• 60 Chelsea Piers Ste 6020, New York, NY 10011
• [email protected]
• 844 663 9484

What is a Good SAT Score for the Ivy League?

• Sasha Chada
• May 15, 2023

Table of Contents

Share this post.

While the Ivy League has gone test optional for the coming admissions cycle, they are still accepting standardized test scores, and doing well on these tests does improve your chances of acceptance. But how good do you really need to do on these tests? And how much can a high standardized test score increase your chances of being accepted?

We’ll investigate these questions in this article. We’ll cover the average SAT and ACT scores of admitted students at each of the Ivy League schools, and then how much each school considers these scores in admissions. Finally, we’ll discuss testing strategy, how much emphasis you should put on preparing for standardized tests, and whether you should submit your scores, or apply test optional instead. Let’s get started!

The Average SAT and ACT scores at each Ivy League School

Here are the average standardized test scores for admitted students who submitted them at each of the Ivy League schools. Note that scores are given as ranges; the middle 50% of admitted students scored in the given range.

While there is slight variation in these numbers, they paint a fairly standard picture overall. Each of these schools admits students who do quite well on their standardized tests. We should note that all of these schools judge the ACT and SAT equally, and don’t have a preference for one over the other. 

These schools all hold standardized test scores in similar regard as well when it comes to making admissions decisions. They all use them as a way to confirm that your academic prowess as demonstrated by your GPA and coursework is an accurate assessment of your potential. 

While both are weighed when evaluating an application, your high school grades count for more, since they are seen as a more accurate representation of your preparation for college and your achievement over time. It is easier to get into one of these schools with high grades and average test scores than with average grades and high test scores. 

While test scores are rarely a deciding factor when it comes to choosing which students to admit, they can serve as a disqualifying factor. Submitting standardized test scores which are far below the average for the school can raise questions in the minds of admissions officers, who will wonder why you struggled so much on the tests, and how accurate an assessment your grades provide. This is especially the case now that most of these schools have gone test optional, and allow you to apply without submitting any test scores at all. 

Testing Strategy for the Ivy League

There are several components to testing strategy. The first, and probably most important, is whether you need to submit test scores at all. All of the Ivy League schools are currently test optional, and if trends continue, they will likely remain so for the foreseeable future. This means every student who takes the SAT or ACT is faced with a choice: is submitting your test scores worth it?

The answer depends on several factors. You must first consider your scores in the context of your overall profile. Do your test scores support the narrative you are telling about yourself? Do they confirm that the grades you have gotten in high school are an accurate portrayal of your academic capabilities? Do they give admissions officers a more well rounded insight into your academic strengths?

On top of this, you need to consider where your test scores fall relative to the average test scores received by the schools. While students with scores below the average get accepted (that is how averages work), these scores are a good metric by which to measure yourself against other potential applicants. 

This does not mean you should only submit your test scores if you did perfectly on the SAT or ACT. Students get in with less than perfect scores every year; these schools are looking for more than that. 

That said, we do advise you to avoid sending in scores if you are too far below the average for the school. If you are above the 25th percentile (the lower number on the table), then you should send your scores if your academics are otherwise stellar. If your scores are below this point, then you should apply without them. 

Simply applying without test scores will not help your application unless you are otherwise qualified for the school already. You need stellar grades, amazing extracurriculars, and essays which convey your fit for the school. While test optional admissions means you can apply without your test scores being a disqualifying factor, the rest of your application still needs to fit the profile of what the Ivy League is looking for in a student.

If your test scores are above the average of the school, then you should always include them in your application. They may not help substantially unless they are very high, but they will be a point in your favor, and contribute to the overall narrative of your application.

Will the Ivy League Stay Test Optional?

Yes. Or at least, all of their incentives are aligned to keep them test optional; since it benefits both the schools, and the students who apply to them. Universities are judged in part on how talented the students who apply to them are, including their average ACT and SAT scores. By going test optional, top universities are able to artificially inflate their test score averages, making them more competitive in the rankings which they claim not to care about. 

It’s true that almost everyone who applies to top universities has excellent standardized test scores, but some students struggle with taking tests generally. While they have stellar grades and extracurriculars, their test scores don’t quite measure up to the rest of their application. These students may suffer if they have to submit their scores, but test optional admissions give them a smoother path. 

Most of the students who apply to Ivy League schools still submit their test scores, even though the schools have gone test optional. While the numbers do vary by school, around 60% of admitted students submitted SAT or ACT scores with their application. We do not have numbers for the overall number of students who include their test scores with their application to these schools, but believe this percentage reflects the number of overall applicants who submit applications without attaching their test scores.

We only have a few years of data on this thus far, so it’s uncertain what future trends will bring. That said, we expect this percentage to remain fairly consistent barring another shift in the testing or admissions landscape. Most students who apply to the Ivy League already have scores in the range that they’re looking for. For those that don’t, test optional admissions are a great way to proceed.

Final Thoughts

The Ivy League schools are well known to be prestigious and competitive, with their admissions rates falling below 5% in some cases this year, and all accepting less than 10% of the students who apply. Students need to have excellent applications to be considered, and test scores are a part of that. We hope that this article has given you a sense of what test scores the Ivy League requires, and how you can apply strategically regardless of your scores.

Of course, getting your perfect test scores is a process, one you don’t need to go through alone . Our tutors are well experienced with both the SAT and ACT, and know the tips and tricks you need to take your scores to the next level. Schedule a free consultation today to learn how we can help you with this, or any other aspect of applying to the Ivy Leagues. We have a depth of experience helping students succeed, and are always happy to hear from you.

Need help with college admissions?

Download our "guide to everything," a 90-page pdf that covers everything you need to know about the college admission process., more to explore.

Colleges Race to $100,000 Tuition Costs

College has long been a significant cost, and is rising all the time. The sticker shock at top institutions is only going up, racing far

What is the Terry Foundation Scholarship?

We’ve talked before about how expensive college is getting, and it remains a pressing concern on the minds of many parents and students. Scholarships do

Ivy Scholars is the leading educational consultant in Sugar Land, Texas, providing admissions coaching, test prep, and more to help students enroll at top tier schools.

Get In Touch

Call us now: (281) 215-5148

Houston: 4265 San Felipe St, Suite 1100, Houston, TX 77027

Get Started

Subscribe for updates, © all rights reserved.

• Ivy League Overview Cost of Attendance Admission SAT/ACT Scores Student Population Graduation Rate Financial Aid
• College Search 4-Years Colleges Community Colleges Trade Schools Law Schools Medical Schools
• Rankings By Category National Universities Liberal Arts Colleges Law Schools Medical Schools Community Colleges View All Rankings Special Rankings Core Stats Rankings State Best Colleges
• Comparison Compare Schools Compare Home Colleges in State NCAA Conferences Compare Your Schools Popular Groups
• Programs Area of Study Vocational Programs Graduate Programs Online Programs Special Law Schools Medical Schools
• NCAA Conferences
• Sat Act Scores

Ivy League Members Test Scores Comparison

• Harvard University has the highest SAT scores of 1,550 and Columbia University in the City of New York has the lowest SAT scores of 1,530.
• Yale University has the highest ACT scores of 35 and Dartmouth College has the lowest ACT scores of 34.

Ivy League Schools SAT and ACT Score Comparison

What Is a Good ACT Score?

Reviewed by:

Former Admissions Committee Member, Columbia University

Reviewed: 4/26/24

Navigating the college admissions process can be challenging, and understanding what is a good ACT score is a crucial part of this journey. 

The ACT, like the SAT , is a standardized test used by colleges to assess the academic abilities of applicants. 

• An above-average ACT score is generally considered to be 21 and above.
• A competitive ACT score can significantly enhance your chances of admission to your dream school.
• Most prestigious schools often look for ACT scores of 30 and above.
• Regardless, you should aim for an ACT score that is within or higher than the average range of scores for admitted students at your target school.
• Even though more schools are adopting test-optional policies, a high ACT score can provide a substantial boost to your application and compensate for any other areas that might be lacking.

In this guide, we'll explore what a good ACT score looks like, how it can impact your college applications, and why it's important to aim for a score that aligns with your educational goals.

The ACT: Percentiles and Scores

Understanding ACT scores and percentiles is crucial for gauging where you stand in comparison to other test-takers. The ACT consists of four sections, each scored on a scale from 1 to 36. 

These section scores are then averaged to calculate your composite score, which also ranges from 1 to 36. Your composite score significantly influences your competitiveness in college admissions; it reflects your academic proficiency and enhances your appeal to colleges. 

In the context of the ACT, percentiles play a vital role in ranking your score relative to other students. For instance, being in the 75th percentile means you have scored higher than 75% of the test-takers. This percentile ranking is instrumental for colleges to evaluate your academic abilities in comparison with other applicants. 

Understanding the significance of your ACT score in this context can help you make informed decisions about your college applications.

What Are the Sections on the ACT?

There are four sections within the ACT:

• Focuses on grammar, punctuation, sentence structure, and rhetorical skills.
• Consists of 75 questions to be answered in 45 minutes.
• Mathematics
• Covers algebra, geometry, and trigonometry.
• Contains 60 questions with a 60-minute time limit.
• Allows the use of calculators, though some restrictions apply.
• Tests reading comprehension skills.
• Includes 40 questions based on reading passages, to be completed in 35 minutes.
• Assesses interpretation, analysis, evaluation, reasoning, and problem-solving skills in the natural sciences.
• Comprises 40 questions to be answered in 35 minutes.
• Writing (Optional)
• The essay score is reported separately and does not affect the composite score.
• You have 40 minutes to complete the essay.

Each section of the ACT is designed to measure a range of academic skills that are important for success in college-level coursework. Preparing for each section and understanding how they are scored can help you target your study efforts and improve your overall performance on the test.

A good score on the ACT varies based on individual goals and college aspirations. Nationally, the average ACT score is around 21, so anything above this is generally seen as good. 

For admissions to more selective colleges, particularly top-tier institutions like Ivy Leagues, a score in the high 20s to 36 is often necessary. Being in the 75th percentile, which is approximately a score of 24 or higher, is considered competitive for a wide range of schools. 

Ultimately, a good ACT score for colleges should align with your personal academic objectives and meet or exceed the average scores of your target colleges. Keep in mind that this score is a part of a holistic admissions process that includes other factors such as GPA, extracurriculars, essays, and recommendations.

Remember, if your initial score doesn't meet your expectations, you have the chance to enhance it by dedicating time to preparation and by opting to retake the test.

What Is an Above-Average ACT Score?

An above-average ACT score is any score above the national average, which currently hovers around 19.5 . If you score above that, you’re scoring higher than more than half of the test-takers nationwide, which is a decent benchmark. However, to be truly competitive, especially at more selective colleges, aiming higher is necessary.

If you've completed the ACT exam and find yourself in need of an ACT to SAT score conversion, check out our automatic ACT to SAT score converter .

Good ACT Scores for Popular Colleges in the US

What’s considered a good ACT score can vary significantly from one college to another. For instance, at highly selective schools, good ACT scores might be in the 30-36 range, whereas at less selective schools, scores around 25 might be considered good.

To give you a clearer picture, let’s look at some popular colleges in the U.S. and their ACT score expectations:

• University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) : 29-32
• University of Michigan : 31-34
• University of Texas at Austin : 23-29
• Ohio State University : <25
• University of Florida : 30-34

These ranges represent the middle 50% of admitted students, meaning that 25% scored below this range and 25% scored above.

What Is a Good ACT Score for the Ivy League?

Ivy League schools are some of the most competitive in the nation and, therefore, have higher ACT score expectations. A good ACT score for an Ivy League application is typically above 30, with many students scoring in the 33-36 range.

Here’s a table showcasing the ACT score ranges for the middle 50% of admitted students at each Ivy League institution:

Source : US News

An effective ACT score depends on the colleges you aim for and how competitive their applicant pools are. Highly selective institutions often require scores above 30, while mid-20s may meet the criteria for less selective schools. 

It's worth noting that ACT scores are typically released within two weeks after taking the test, allowing you to promptly gauge your performance and plan accordingly. Always check the latest class profiles of your target schools for up-to-date information.

Keep in mind that a strong ACT score can significantly bolster your application, but it's only one aspect of a holistic admissions review process. Additionally, you have the opportunity to take the ACT multiple times to improve your score, so consider retaking it if you believe you can achieve a higher result.

This process takes into account your academic record, involvement in extracurricular activities, compelling essays, strong letters of recommendation, and, if needed, seek tutoring support to achieve your desired ACT score.

ACT Score Ranges by Section

To get an idea of what to expect on the exam, take a look at this table that reflects how each section of the ACT is graded and includes the number of questions on each subject.

Take a look at our answers to a few frequently asked questions about ACT scores.

1. Is 19 a Good ACT Score?

A score of 19 on the ACT is just below the national average of 19.5. While not high for selective colleges, it may be acceptable for many universities with broader admission criteria. Remember, colleges consider your entire application, including GPA and extracurriculars, not just your ACT score.

2. Is a 24 ACT Score Good?

Yes, a 24 is a good ACT score. It's above the national average and places you in the 74th percentile, meaning you scored higher than 74% of test-takers. This score can open doors to a number of colleges and universities. However, for more selective institutions, you might need a higher score to be competitive.

3. What Is a Passing ACT Score?

The ACT does not have a specific passing or failing score. Instead, colleges utilize ACT scores to evaluate and compare applicants for admission. A higher ACT score can broaden your choices for higher education opportunities. 

It's advisable to strive for a score that meets or exceeds the average of 21, but it's essential to note that many colleges and universities admit students with a diverse range of scores. 

4. Is a 20 on the ACT Good?

A 20 is right around the national average. It's a solid score that can lead to college admissions, especially at local and state universities. However, if you're looking to attend a more competitive or selective school, you may want to aim higher.

5. What Is a Good ACT Math Score?

A good ACT math score is one that falls within or above the middle 50% range of the colleges you're interested in. Nationally, a 19.5 score is average , so anything above that can be considered good. For top-tier colleges, you'll likely need a score in the upper 20s or even 30s.

6. What Is a Good English ACT Score?

For the English section of the ACT, a score above 20 is generally considered good, as it's higher than the national average. If you're aiming for elite colleges, you'll want to target a score in the upper 20s or higher. A strong English score can demonstrate your readiness for college-level writing and comprehension.

7. Is 27 a Good ACT Score?

Yes, a 27 is a very good ACT score. It places you in the 85th percentile, meaning you scored better than 85% of test-takers. This score can make you a competitive applicant at many universities, and it's above average for several selective institutions. 

However, for the most prestigious colleges, especially Ivy League schools, you might need a score above 30 to be considered competitive.

Ready to Get an Amazing ACT Score?

With a deeper understanding of '"What is a good ACT score," you're now better equipped to set clear testing goals. Remember, a strong ACT score not only aligns with your educational aspirations but also enhances your college application.

Best of luck in your preparations, and may your dedicated study sessions lead you to uncover the perfect ACT score for your success!

Get A Free Consultation

You may also like.

How to Ace the MIT Interview: Process, Questions, & Tips

How To Read SAT Scores - The Complete Guide

Choose Your Test

Sat / act prep online guides and tips, what do ivy league schools think of the act.

SAT versus ACT , ACT General Info

As an ACT tutor, I often fielded questions about whether the test would be looked down on by admissions officers, especially those at Ivy League schools. Because the SAT was the dominant college admissions test for so long, many students and parents worry that—at least in the Northeast—schools still prefer the SAT over the ACT. However, that time has definitely passed, and schools will now accept either test equally.

Read on for a more in-depth explanation of how Ivy League schools view the ACT today, and learn the differences in testing policies that might affect your decision to take the ACT or SAT.

Ivy League Schools' Official Policies on the ACT

Officially, all of the Ivy League schools accept both the ACT and SAT, as does every other school in the US. Harvey Mudd was the last no-ACT holdout , but it began accepting the test in 2007.

“Since it’s a choice you can make, it has the feeling of being a significant choice, fraught with implication, but I don’t think it does matter ,” Marlyn McGrath-Lewis, director of admissions at Harvard College, told the New York Times . “Either is fine with us, and we don’t have a feeling that either favors students with any particular profile.”

According to ACT, Inc., "The ACT test is the nation’s most popular college entrance exam accepted and valued by all universities and colleges in the United States." The "most popular" comment is just marketing spin, but the basic point stands: every school in the US accepts the ACT and SAT equally .

How These ACT Policies Actually Work

As you now know, the Ivy League schools claim to view the ACT as equivalent to the SAT, but does that mean they actually do? It's impossible to be 100% sure, but I strongly believe the Ivy League schools treat the two tests equally.

For one, I was unable to find any evidence that admissions officers have a preference for one test over the other. Moreover, there is no logical reason for admissions counselors to discriminate against students who take the ACT,  especially since doing so is likely to cost them some exceptional students who happened not to take the SAT. This is especially true for students who have to take the ACT to graduate and may not prepare for the SAT as a result. 

If you examine the statistics on ACT and SAT scores among admitted students, some differences in how schools treat scores from the two tests do appear, but they're mostly meaningless.

It's been said that there is a slight SAT advantage for students scoring on the low end of schools' accepted score ranges. So if you have the same percentile score on both tests (i.e., you do better than the same percentage of students who took the test), your SAT score will be more likely to get you into a college than your ACT score will be.

However, this analysis is somewhat misleading because it doesn't take into account the fact that many students who don't plan on going to college take the ACT as part of statewide assessments , increasing the number of low-scoring students and slightly skewing the percentiles.

Looking at the data for Ivy League schools, you'll also see that more admitted applicants submit SAT scores than they do ACT scores. However, this trend seems to be evening out. For example, when it comes to  Cornell's class of 2018 , 79.7% submitted SAT scores while only 41.4% submitted ACT scores. Yet for the class of 2021 , 63.7% submitted SAT scores and 55.9% submitted ACT scores.

As you can see, even with these slight changes in percentages, the SAT is still a little more popular than the ACT is among Ivy League applicants. Although this might seem like evidence of bias, this difference is easily explained by regional preference:  more than 50% of both the 2018 and 2021 Cornell classes hailed from the Northeast, where the SAT is much more common than the ACT.

Ultimately, there's no compelling evidence that any schools, including members of the Ivy League, judge the ACT more harshly than they do the SAT.  As such, you should ignore this perceived bias when deciding between the two tests. 

Instead, focus on determining which test is better for you . Since most students score similarly on the two, it's usually just a question of which test you feel more comfortable with . Alternatively, you might want to  take both the ACT and SAT .

Next up, let's go over the two differences in testing policies that might affect your decision of which test to take!

Schools' Testing Policies: Superscoring

Though colleges accept the ACT and SAT equally, schools can still have slight differences in what supplementary tests they require and in how they calculate your final score depending on which test you took.

Superscoring

Superscoring —the process by which your highest component scores among multiple test dates are combined to create a new composite score—is a common practice for SAT scores.

Generally speaking, though, admission committees don't superscore the ACT.  (This rule holds among all schools and not just the Ivy League ones.) While schools will still look at your highest ACT scores and some will consider individual section scores, few will combine ACT section scores from multiple test dates into a single superscored composite.

Though this policy might seem like a huge disadvantage to the ACT, it doesn't actually make that much of a difference.

Policy by School

This table breaks down the Ivy League schools' policies on SAT Subject Tests and superscoring.

The second column indicates how many SAT Subject Tests the school requires/recommends. The third column explains the school's superscoring policy, which can be one of three options:

• Doesn't superscore at all
• Superscores the SAT but only looks at your highest composite ACT score
• Superscores the SAT and looks at your highest ACT section scores

Note that even schools that claim to superscore the ACT usually look at your highest ACT section scores without actually combining them to create a composite superscore (as they do with the SAT).

What You Need to Know About the Ivy League and the ACT

No matter what you might've heard, Ivy League schools have no preference between the ACT and SAT.  You can submit scores from either test or from both of them without worrying that your application will be dinged.

Ultimately, choosing between the SAT and the ACT comes down to personal preference. There will occasionally be a large difference between how a student scores on the SAT and the ACT (a difference of more than 100 points once the ACT is converted to its SAT equivalent). Most students, however, score similarly on both tests.

Nonetheless, the styles of the two tests are different enough that you may find the ACT easier than the SAT , or vice versa. Perhaps you struggle with the ACT's less generous time limits , or maybe you think the SAT's evidence questions are particularly confusing.

What's Next?

Planning on applying to Ivy League schools? Get a handle on what kind of SAT score you really need , and check out this in-depth guide to how to get into the Ivy League , written by a real Harvard grad!

Trying to decide whether to take the SAT or ACT? Read our guide to learn the 11 key differences between the two tests to help you decide which is better suited to your strengths.

Alex is an experienced tutor and writer. Over the past five years, she has worked with almost a hundred students and written about pop culture for a wide range of publications. She graduated with honors from University of Chicago, receiving a BA in English and Anthropology, and then went on to earn an MA at NYU in Cultural Reporting and Criticism. In high school, she was a National Merit Scholar, took 12 AP tests and scored 99 percentile scores on the SAT and ACT.

Ask a Question Below

Have any questions about this article or other topics? Ask below and we'll reply!

Improve With Our Famous Guides

• For All Students

The 5 Strategies You Must Be Using to Improve 160+ SAT Points

How to Get a Perfect 1600, by a Perfect Scorer

Series: How to Get 800 on Each SAT Section:

Score 800 on SAT Math

Score 800 on SAT Reading

Score 800 on SAT Writing

Series: How to Get to 600 on Each SAT Section:

Score 600 on SAT Math

Score 600 on SAT Reading

Score 600 on SAT Writing

Free Complete Official SAT Practice Tests

What SAT Target Score Should You Be Aiming For?

15 Strategies to Improve Your SAT Essay

The 5 Strategies You Must Be Using to Improve 4+ ACT Points

How to Get a Perfect 36 ACT, by a Perfect Scorer

Series: How to Get 36 on Each ACT Section:

36 on ACT English

36 on ACT Math

36 on ACT Reading

36 on ACT Science

Series: How to Get to 24 on Each ACT Section:

24 on ACT English

24 on ACT Math

24 on ACT Reading

24 on ACT Science

What ACT target score should you be aiming for?

ACT Vocabulary You Must Know

ACT Writing: 15 Tips to Raise Your Essay Score

How to Get Into Harvard and the Ivy League

How to Get a Perfect 4.0 GPA

How to Write an Amazing College Essay

What Exactly Are Colleges Looking For?

Is the ACT easier than the SAT? A Comprehensive Guide

Should you retake your SAT or ACT?

When should you take the SAT or ACT?

Stay Informed

Get the latest articles and test prep tips!

Looking for Graduate School Test Prep?

Check out our top-rated graduate blogs here:

GRE Online Prep Blog

GMAT Online Prep Blog

TOEFL Online Prep Blog

Holly R. "I am absolutely overjoyed and cannot thank you enough for helping me!”

• Our Philosophy
• Why a Top College
• Why Invest with Us
• Testimonials
• About Sam & the Early Days of Ivy League Prep
• How Sam Developed a Successful Applicant Profile
• The Admissions Process: Who Evaluates College Applications?
• The College Application: An Overview
• Writing the Personal Essay
• Developing an Application Theme and Narrative
• Preparing for the Admissions Interview
• Securing Strong Recommendations
• Developing a Competitive Transcript

Performing Well on the Entrance Exams

• Participating in the Right Extracurricular Activities
• When to Start Preparing for Ivy League Admission
• Initial Consultation
• Complete Guidance
• Program Components
• 8-12th Grade Programs
• Common Application
• 2020-2021 Common App and Coalition Application Essay Prompts
• School Research Tools
• Connect with Schools
• Strategies for Responding to Common Essay Prompts
• How to Write a Compelling Personal Essay
• Choosing Potential Colleges
• The Current Admissions Landscape
• Ivy League Statistics (Class of 2024)
• Statistics by School (Class of 2024)
• Class of 2019
• Class of 2020
• Class of 2021
• Class of 2022
• Class of 2023
• Why Choose Us

Top colleges require their applicants to take the ACT or SAT exams. Admissions officers usually look for applicants with high scores on these tests, but performing well on them won’t necessarily get your child into a top school. On the other hand, low scores on the entrance exams could keep your child from being admitted into their target schools.

In this article, we provide an overview of the ACT and SAT exams and explain why your child must strive to perform well on them.

Overview of the ACT and SAT Exams

The ACT and the SAT are aptitude tests intended to assess the test taker’s analytical and problem-solving skills . The organizations that design and administer these tests claim that these exams can be used to evaluate learners’ high school learning to determine whether they are ready for the academic rigors of college.

These tests have strict time limits and produce a range of scores that help differentiate students. Opinions vary concerning these exams’ effectiveness, but admissions officers from top colleges typically use standardized test results when deciding whether an applicant’s profile is strong enough to merit admission.

The ACT and SAT exams differ in their structure, number of questions, and provided time:

The ACT has four sections : English, Math, Reading, and Science. In contrast, the SAT is composed of two sections that include three tests : Reading, Writing, and Mathematics. Both tests offer an optional Writing or Essay section. The total time allowed for the ACT (including the optional Writing section) is 3 hours and 35 minutes. The total time for the SAT (including the optional essay) is 3 hours and 50 minutes.

Why ACT and SAT Scores Matter

ACT and SAT scores are just numbers. They measure the applicant’s performance on the test. Although these scores are somewhat impersonal, they do provide admissions officers with a metric they can use to evaluate the applicant’s academic readiness for college-level work.

Your child’s test scores will be used to compare them with the other applicants. Naturally, this adds a level of competitiveness to the ACT and SAT; your child needs to do well on them to stand out.

Many applicants to top colleges have phenomenal test scores. The most selective schools could even require perfect ACT or SAT scores and still have plenty of qualified applicants. Even though perfect scores are not required, statistics show that your child needs high scores if they want to craft a competitive admissions profile.

The higher your child’s test scores, the better their chances of admission will be. A low score could significantly harm their profile’s competitiveness. Unless your student is an athletic recruit, an underrepresented minority member, a legacy applicant, or the like, their chances of gaining admission with poor standardized test scores are slim.

Also, keep in mind that the more selective schools will require higher entrance exam scores. The standards are high, so your child needs to perform well on these tests. Many students who apply to top colleges have perfect or near-perfect scores; if your child does not, the rest of their application will have to make up for it.

However, perfect scores won’t differentiate your child’s admissions profile by themselves; they certainly are not the only important component of a strong college application . Ivy League Prep would be glad to provide you with personalized guidance throughout the entire admissions process and help your child fulfill their academic dreams.

Partnered & Affiliated with the Best

• Why Choose US
• Contact Us Now
• Get Our Help
• Admission Statistics

Admission Services

• 8th-12th Grade Programs
• Connect With Schools

Contact Us:

Subscribe and Get News at your email

The Ivy Coach Daily

• College Admissions
• College Essays
• Early Decision / Early Action
• Extracurricular Activities
• Standardized Testing
• The Rankings

November 26, 2022

When to Submit SAT and ACT Scores

Thinking of applying to top universities this year without an SAT or ACT score? Loyal readers of Ivy Coach’s college admissions blog know where we stand on the issue of test-optional : all else being equal, a student with a great test score will always enjoy an advantage over a student with no test score. This is in spite of what admissions officers at so many of our nation’s elite universities — except for at schools like Georgetown University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology — may say to the contrary (the leaders of Georgetown and MIT’s admissions offices, unlike so many of their peers, are rather forthright with respect to their views on the submission of test scores). That being said, it doesn’t mean we advise all of our students these days to submit an SAT or ACT score. After all, all of our students at Ivy Coach — even those with dreams of earning admission to America’s elite universities –don’t necessarily have stellar SAT or ACT scores. In these cases, when their test scores will not serve their candidacies, we encourage them not to overshare since oversharing could easily work against them.

Should Students With Great Scores Still Submit SAT or ACT?

Allow us to share an example. In a terrific piece for New York Magazine by Jeffrey Selingo entitled “ What Does an SAT Score Mean Anymore? The mass pivot to a test-optional approach reshuffled college admissions. MIT decided it was done. ,” he writes, “Stuyvesant students are good test takers, but even then, [Jeff] Makris, [Stuyvesant’s director of college counseling], agrees, ’there’s a lot of situations where it’s a gray area.’ He recalled a senior last year who came to him for advice about whether to send her just-under-1500 on the SAT to an Ivy League school. He showed the student the middle 50 percent of test scores for those who had enrolled a year earlier. ’’Technically, looking at data that is now about a year old, it looks like you’re a little bit under,’’ he told her. He reminded her that admissions officers understand Stuy’s rigor and that they would ’respect’ her grades. ’’I could go either way,’’ he remembers telling her. ’’But why volunteer something that could potentially work against you?’’ The student’s dad later emailed Makris, disagreeing with the counselor’s take; Makris doesn’t know if the student ultimately applied without scores, but either way, she was rejected.”

Have Great SAT or ACT Scores Changed Over the Last Few Years?

And a great SAT or ACT score just a few years back isn’t necessarily a great SAT or ACT score today. Why’s that, you ask? Because many of the applicants who previously submitted lower SAT or ACT scores now aren’t submitting test scores. So admissions officers, in short, have gotten spoiled. They’re now quite used to only seeing top scores — top scores that boost their median and mean SAT and ACT scores for the incoming class. Applicants who don’t submit test scores simply don’t factor into these figures, while applicants who submit what may have been very nice scores a few years ago but don’t bring up the overall figures this year are a drag on the school’s data and thus face an obstacle to earn admission.

Do Admissions Officers Speak the Truth About Test-Optional Policies?

Finally, to those applicants who are saying to themselves, “But an admissions officer told me that I’d be at no disadvantage if I submit an SAT or ACT score since the school is test-optional,” know that we’re rolling our eye backwards, forwards, and sideways. Admissions officers often don’t tell it like it is. After all, the task of an admissions officer is to inspire you to apply. The more students who apply, the lower the school’s admission rate will be, and invariably the higher the school will be ranked. So admissions officers don’t want to say anything that will jeopardize you submitting an application. But don’t take them at their word when it comes to test-optional policies.

Could Admissions Officer Be More Transparent About Test-Optional Policies?

Case in point? In the same piece, Selingo writes, “At a session I moderated, one of the panelists, a high-school counselor from Florida, said the students she works with still believe they need a test score — and a high one at that — and the audience burst into applause. They did again when she said the lack of transparency by colleges around test scores makes it impossible to advise students. Another panelist, Yvonne Romero Da Silva, the vice-president for enrollment at Rice (which is test optional for now), said, ’I don’t know what more we can say. I mean 25 percent of our students are at Rice without submitting a test. I think that’s some of the proof that’s in the pudding.’” What more can you say, Ms. Da Silva? You can release the percentage of students who have earned admission with and without scores each of the years since Rice has been test-optional. Let us be the judge if applicants to Rice really face no disadvantage for not submitting SAT or ACT scores.

You are permitted to use www.ivycoach.com (including the content of the Blog) for your personal, non-commercial use only. You must not copy, download, print, or otherwise distribute the content on our site without the prior written consent of Ivy Coach, Inc.

Related Articles

Debunking the Need-Blind College Admissions Myth

May 11, 2024

Asian American Violinists in College Admissions: Dare to Be Different

Should Elite Colleges Run Admissions Like a Lottery System?

May 10, 2024

How to Get Into Barnard College: The Ultimate Barnard Admissions Guide

What Looks Better: An A in a Regular Class or a Lower Grade in a Regular Course?

May 7, 2024

How to Get Into Johns Hopkins University: The Ultimate Admissions Guide

May 3, 2024

TOWARD THE CONQUEST OF ADMISSION

If you’re interested in Ivy Coach’s college counseling,
fill out our complimentary consultation form and we’ll be in touch.

Fill out our short form for a 20-minute consultation to learn about Ivy Coach’s services.

Calculate for all schools

Your chance of acceptance, your chancing factors, extracurriculars, is a 33 on the act score competitive for ivy league admissions.

Hey! I recently received my ACT score and I got a 33. I was planning on applying to some Ivy League universities, but I'm not sure if my score is competitive. Does anyone have any insights or suggestions? Much appreciated!

Hey there! A 33 on the ACT is definitely a solid score, and I can understand why you'd be curious about its competitiveness for Ivy League admissions. For reference, the middle 50% ACT range for many Ivy League schools tends to be between 32 and 35, with some schools having slightly higher or lower ranges. So, your score of 33 does fall within that competitive range for most of the Ivies, but it is admittedly on the lower end for some of them.

However, I'd like to emphasize that the ACT score is just one component of your application. Colleges, especially Ivy League institutions, apply a holistic review process, which means they take into account many aspects of your application, such as grades, extracurricular activities, essays, and letters of recommendation.

So, if you have strong academics, engaging extracurriculars, and compelling application essays, a 33 on the ACT shouldn't hold you back too much. Having said that, if you believe you can improve your score, there's no harm in retaking the test. Ultimately, be proud of your achievements and put forth the most well-rounded application you can! Best of luck!

About CollegeVine’s Expert FAQ

CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.

Here’s How Ivy League Schools Evaluate Student GPAs

• Share to Facebook
• Share to Twitter
• Share to Linkedin

One of the main gates on the Brown University campus, decorated with the University crest. (Photo by ... [+] Rick Friedman/Corbis via Getty Images)

A stellar GPA is one of the building blocks of a successful Ivy League application, and as the school year winds down, many students are anxiously seeking to give theirs a final boost. While most students and families understand the importance of a 4.0, few are aware of how top colleges evaluate student GPAs or what they look for when reviewing student transcripts. Though your GPA may seem to be a simple metric, nothing could be further from the case—colleges consider more than just the number, accounting for complexities such as diverse grading systems across schools, trends in grade inflation, and level of course rigor.

Here are three important facts to keep in mind about your GPA as you choose your courses:

1. Your GPA doesn’t directly compare to that of students at other schools.

One common misconception among college applicants is that they can compare their GPAs with those of students attending different schools. However, the GPA is not a universal metric but rather a reflection of an individual's academic performance within their specific educational environment. As a result, comparing GPAs from different schools is like comparing apples and oranges. For instance, some schools offer a plethora of AP, IB, and honors courses, while others may have limited options or offer none at all. Additionally, the weight assigned to AP versus honors versus regular classes varies from school to school. So, your GPA may not hold the same weight as those of your peers at different schools, even if you all have 4.0s.

Admissions officers understand that schools vary in their rigor, curriculum, and grading policies. Therefore, they evaluate your GPA in the context of your high school, considering the courses offered and the academic challenges presented. Instead of fixating on how your GPA compares to your friends’ from other schools, focus on challenging yourself and taking advantage of all the opportunities available to you at your school.

2. GPAs across the country are inflated—and colleges know it.

The last few years have seen surges in high school student GPAs nationwide. While GPA inflation has been on the rise over the last decade, average ACT composite scores are steadily declining. “For the 1.4 million ACT test-takers in the high school class of 2023, the average composite score on the exam was 19.5 out of 36, the lowest score since 1991,” according to The New York Times . The parallel differences, coupled with academic differences across schools, suggest that GPA must be considered in tandem with multiple other factors. Simply put, an A no longer means what it used to on a transcript.

The Best Mattress For Couples Regardless Of Your Sleep Styles

Wwe smackdown results winners and grades on may 10 2024, the 8 best trampolines with insights from an industry expert.

Ivy League and other top colleges are well aware of this trend and evaluate student GPAs alongside other metrics such as standardized test scores and AP exam scores in order to better understand a student’s academic skill sets. While some Ivy League and other top schools remain test-optional , they still place emphasis on course rigor and the context offered by your high school profile in order to understand the grades on your transcript.

3. Colleges will recalculate your GPA.

Given the abundance of variables in GPA calculations, colleges often recalculate the metric to create a standardized baseline for comparison between students across different schools. The recalibration may involve adjusting for variations in grading scales or the weighting of honors, International Baccalaureate (IB) or Advanced Placement (AP) courses. The University of California system, for example, calculates students’ UC GPAs by converting grades to grade points (an A is equivalent to 4 points, a B to three points, etc.) for classes taken between summer after 9th and summer after 11th grade, and adding one point for each honors class, and dividing by total classes taken to yield final GPA.*

Other colleges also take additional factors that impact academic performance into consideration, and envelop GPA into a broader, holistic consideration. For instance, the Harvard University lawsuit over affirmative action revealed that Harvard rates students on a scale of 1–6 (with one being the most desirable) in academic, extracurricular, athletic and personal categories. A student’s GPA and test scores are folded together into an academic score which “summarizes the applicant’s academic achievement and potential based on grades, testing results, letters of recommendation, academic prizes, and any submitted academic work.”

This process aims to provide a fair and equitable evaluation of students from different educational backgrounds. Keep in mind that Harvard considers not only your grades, test scores, and academic rigor in this score, but also “evidence of substantial scholarship” and “academic creativity,” which can make the difference between a 1 and a 2 in the scoring system. These systems underscore the importance of taking advantage of every opportunity, showcasing your unique personality and creativity, and seeking to maximize opportunities to improve your performance within the academic landscape of your institution.

By understanding the complex way by which colleges evaluate students’ GPAs, you are better equipped to present a comprehensive and competitive picture of your academic achievements on your transcript and stand out in the competitive Ivy League admissions landscape.

*Variations exist for in-state versus out-of-state students and by high school. Be sure to calculate your GPA following the UC issued guidelines.

• Editorial Standards
• Reprints & Permissions

Our Services

College Admissions Counseling

UK University Admissions Counseling

EU University Admissions Counseling

College Athletic Recruitment

Crimson Rise: College Prep for Middle Schoolers

Indigo Research: Online Research Opportunities for High Schoolers

Delta Institute: Work Experience Programs For High Schoolers

Graduate School Admissions Counseling

Private Boarding & Day School Admissions

Online Tutoring

Essay Review

Financial Aid & Merit Scholarships

Our Leaders and Counselors

Our Student Success

Crimson Student Alumni

Our Reviews

Our Scholarships

Careers at Crimson

University Profiles

US College Admissions Calculator

GPA Calculator

Practice Standardized Tests

SAT Practice Test

ACT Practice Tests

Personal Essay Topic Generator

eBooks and Infographics

Crimson YouTube Channel

Summer Apply - Best Summer Programs

Top of the Class Podcast

ACCEPTED! Book by Jamie Beaton

Crimson Global Academy

+1 (646) 419-3178

Go back to all articles

Beating the Odds: Crimson Education’s Class of 2028 Acceptance Rates

Success by the Numbers

Crimson Ivy League Admit Rates

Excelling Beyond the Ivies

Success Year After Year

Last year marked a significant milestone for Crimson Education — our ten-year anniversary.

While we celebrated this milestone with readers at the end of 2023, the true highlights came from our students and the dedicated team behind them, who experienced remarkable success at the Ivies, at the top 20 US schools (non-Ivies), and even at Cambridge and Oxford.

Now after digesting all the results for the Class of 2028, we’ve got more great news to share, with a spotlight on Crimson student acceptance rates, compared to other students.

Class of 2028 Admissions Success: By the Numbers

In March and April the final admission offers for the Class of 2028 were mailed, opened, and in case after case celebrated by our students.

With our students’ successes now tallied and independently verified by auditors, it’s clear the combined efforts and steadfast dedication of our team members and the students they advise have culminated in extraordinary success.

Below, we’re going to show you exactly how Crimson student acceptance rates for the Class of 2028 stack up compared to general admission rates at some of the best schools in the US.   We think you’ll be amazed at the difference Crimson’s expert advisor network and personalized advising model make in our students’ lives.

For example, Crimson students applying to the Ivy League beat the odds by 6.75x overall, compared to general acceptance rates for the same schools.

We stand by our numbers too. The results we're sharing today come with an impeccable level of assurance, having been independently verified by one of the big four auditing firms.

So keep reading and check out this year's numbers… And, remember, we get results like these for young scholars from more than 100 countries around the globe. That means, in addition to professionalism and transparency, our specialists have valuable knowledge and insights to offer, making Crimson Education the best choice to get tangible results for your own college journey.

Crimson supported me in making every part of my application as good as it could be. It was their engagement that made those acceptances all that more special.

- abby (verified crimson trustpilot review), interested in learning more attend one of our free events, build your application strategy with the latest 2023-24 admissions trends & analysis.

Friday, May 31, 2024 12:00 AM CUT

Join this exclusive webinar to learn about the latest trends in college admissions and discover the key to getting accepted to top universities in upcoming application cycles!

REGISTER NOW

Crimson’s Class of 2028 Ivy League Admit Rates

Crimson students performed exceptionally well this year, securing hundreds of offers from top-tier schools during early and regular round application cycles for the Class of 2028.

Offers gained from Ivy League schools were no exception. What’s truly remarkable is the measure by which Crimson students beat the odds overall despite today’s super competitive admissions landscape:

• The number of Crimson students admitted to the Ivy League increased by 33%, compared to last year’s admission statistics.
• The overall Ivy League acceptance rate for Crimson students was around 31%, compared to an average 4.2% Ivy League general admission rate.
• Crimson students applying to the Ivy League for the Class of 2028 beat the odds by 6.75x overall, compared to general acceptance rates for the same schools.

Crimson's USA Class of 2028 Ivy League Admit Rates

While Ivy League schools are often the highlight, our students also excel at top non-Ivy institutions, including schools as selective as Stanford and MIT.

Our network of experienced strategists and Former Admissions Officers can provide expert insights that are also personalized. This ensures every application a student submits, across any number of prestigious universities, both public and private, is tailored to get the best results possible.

Crimson's USA Class of 2028 Top Non-Ivy Admit Rates

Across these eight outstanding universities, Crimson students experienced a 37% acceptance rate compared to the average 6.5% acceptance rate, beating the odds at these highly selective US schools by about 6x.

Crimson's Legacy of Success: Exceptional Results Year After Year

At Crimson Education, our commitment to meeting and beating expectations isn't just a yearly goal — it's a consistent promise upheld across all our years of operation.

That said, we've also raised the bar each year, striving to make every new class surpass the accomplishments of the last. This legacy of success is a testament to our effective strategies, our comprehensive model, and the hard work of our students and their committed advisors, strategists, mentors, and tutors.

Crimson's All-Time Acceptances

Unmatched acceptance rates with unparalleled professionalism and trust.

Crimson Education has an exceptional track record. No other college admissions consultancy can match the outcomes our students experience ; proof that the expertise of our Advisor network, our personalized and holistic approach to application prep, and our students’ high levels of motivation are an unbeatable combination.

Today, our successes and claims are more than just promises; they’re backed by real results and high levels of client satisfaction.

Unparalleled Customer Satisfaction: Across more than 118,000 reviews, Crimson Education has earned an impressive 4.74 out of 5 stars on average. This exceptional score is a testament to the passion we have for helping students around the world overcome impressive odds in pursuit of transformative educational opportunities.

Impeccable Transparency: : We’re immensely proud of the results we get for our students, but in our commitment to transparency,  we’ve gone the extra mile to provide the highest level of assurance possible.

The acceptance rates experienced by our students, like those we've just shared, are now independently verified by one of the big four auditing firms. This makes Crimson Education the only leading college admissions consultancy with independently verified results, ensuring our track record is one you can count on.

Next Steps…

If you’re already part of the Crimson network, you know about our professionalism, comprehensive approach, and personalized strategies.

If not, you may be wondering if partnering with Crimson is right for you. In which case, we want to encourage you to find out more.

Explore Crimson’s Unique Approach

Typically students who get connected with Crimson earlier on their college journey enjoy better outcomes. Start with a free consultation with one of our application specialists. It’s the perfect opportunity to discuss your goals and understand how our tiered and personalized programs and services can work for you .

Consider the Value of Your Future

When evaluating the cost of college planning services, consider it in terms of return on investment . Attending a prestigious university can significantly influence your career and personal growth opportunities. Investing in Crimson’s admissions counseling is not just about gaining admission — it’s about educational opportunity and setting a foundation for other lifetime successes and experiences.

Staying Ahead of the Curve

When aiming for excellence, the importance of strategic preparation is hard to overemphasize. By partnering with Crimson, you benefit from our expertise right from the outset — whether you’re beginning to shape your school list, honing your application profile and materials, or refining your application essays as deadlines approach.

Final Thoughts

Our Class of 2028 students are now poised to turn their dreams into reality, as a result of their hard work and our support. Thanks for celebrating with us!

We hope this glimpse into their success inspires you to consider how Crimson can elevate your college journey.

Whether you're in middle school, starting high school, or soon to be starting your own college applications, we look forward to being a partner on your journey to excellence!

And… Don’t worry. As remarkable as our team members are, they’re easy to talk to and happy to walk you through our many services and resources. So schedule your call today and together let’s put your college journey on a track to success.

What Makes Crimson Different

Key Resources & Further Reading

• Join our free webinars on US university applications
• Free eBooks and guides to help with the college application process

About the Contributor

Arkesh Patel

Arkesh Patel is the Chief Operating Officer of Crimson Education, the world's largest and most successful university admissions consulting firm. Crimson Education has helped thousands of students gain admission into the Ivy League and top universities such as Oxford, Cambridge, Stanford, MIT, and many others. Arkesh graduated from the University of Cambridge with a B.A in Chemistry (First Class Honors) and received his M.B.A with Distinction from Harvard Business School.

More Articles

Princeton withholds admissions stats for class of 2028.

Historical Low: Boston College Accepts 14.6% of Students to the Class of 2028

Barnard College Accepts Only 7% of Students to the Class of 2028

US COLLEGE ADMISSIONS CALCULATOR

Find a university that best suits you!

Try it out below to view a list of Colleges.

Enter your score

Crimson students are 7x more likely to gain acceptance to their dream college, remember, you don't have to navigate this journey alone. crimson provides a comprehensive suite of services, from academic mentoring and test prep to essay assistance, extracurricular guidance, and career mentoring, ensuring a holistic approach to your college preparation journey..

Enter your SAT or ACT score to discover some schools for you!

Advertisement

Supported by

News Analysis

How Public School Leaders Upstaged Republicans and the Ivy League

Mixing it up a bit, schools leaders showed, can go far toward neutralizing a Congress with a craving to make a point.

• Share full article

By Alan Blinder ,  Annie Karni and Dana Goldstein

Alan Blinder and Dana Goldstein cover education, and Annie Karni writes about Congress.

The House of Representatives is one of Washington’s most raucous forums, a free-for-all of personalities with profiles to raise and points to score.

But it turns out that the rough-and-tumble of steering a public school district — board sessions, P.T.A. meetings, battles over textbooks and discipline — may be sound preparation for the rough-and-tumble of testifying before the House. As public school leaders showed on Wednesday, mixing it up a bit can go far toward neutralizing a Congress with a craving for the spotlight.

Wednesday’s hearing was the latest in the House Committee on Education and the Workforce’s effort to scrutinize antisemitism on campuses and, along the way, castigate academic leaders. At earlier hearings, university presidents opted for strategies of conciliatory genuflection or drab, lawyerly answers . Both approaches largely backfired, stirring outrage on those presidents’ campuses and often beyond.

Both approaches were largely discarded on Wednesday.

“This convening, for too many people across America in education, feels like the ultimate gotcha moment,” David C. Banks, the New York City schools chancellor, said toward the hearing’s end. “It doesn’t sound like people who are actually trying to solve for something that I believe we should be doing everything we can to solve for.”

By then during the two-hour, Republican-led proceeding, Mr. Banks had seemingly put his law degree to use. He had pointedly debunked some claims: “We have found no evidence that that actually happened.” He acerbically dismissed a lawmaker’s pronouncement: “I’m sorry you feel that way.” And he suggested that maybe Congress was not always as pure as proclaimed: “We’ve had members of Congress who have made antisemitic statements.”

Down the witness table, Enikia Ford Morthel, the schools superintendent in Berkeley, Calif., corrected a congressman from her home state, seemed unbothered by the members’ pressure to discuss personnel matters in a way that would defy California law on employee confidentiality, and all but diagramed a rambling question about discipline she said had left her “confused.”

The tactics represented a sharp departure from the norms of Capitol Hill, where legislators generally handle the browbeating during made-for-television hearings.

There are exceptions. Last year, Senator Markwayne Mullin, Republican of Oklahoma, invited the president of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters to “stand your butt up” and fight. The union leader, Sean O’Brien, threw back the same dare. It fell to Senator Bernie Sanders, at 82, to rap his gavel and prevent a Senate hearing from including literal fisticuffs.

But in two House education committee hearings, university leaders had been solicitous of Congress, or at least stoic. Wednesday’s hearing was the first time during this particular inquest that witnesses so consistently challenged their interrogators.

Christopher Armstrong, a lawyer with Holland & Knight who represents clients through congressional investigations and oversight hearings, said he did not generally encourage combativeness before Congress.

“I can’t imagine a situation where it helps you,” he said, though he conceded that Wednesday’s hearing had perhaps proved just such a situation.

Indeed, Mr. Banks, who became chancellor in 2022, sounded much like a pleased, grizzled New Yorker after the hearing. Like the other leaders testifying with him, he had been tested by ferocious debates on unforgiving stages. To him, Capitol Hill was just another.

“The complexity of New York City prepares you for moments like this,” he said, surrounded by New York faith leaders who had traveled with him to Washington. “And I think maybe some of the university presidents did not have the benefit of this kind of inspection, if you will.”

That may be true. But local schools superintendents also have far different mandates from presidents of major universities. Superintendents only rarely command national profiles, with their most important audiences practically in their backyards. Presidents of universities like Columbia and Harvard must contend with sprawling networks that routinely include emboldened faculty members, wealthy donors, powerful trustees and undaunted students.

“That’s a much harder balancing act than the chancellor of the New York City public school system has,” said Mr. Armstrong, who felt Mr. Banks’s method would be inappropriate for a college president.

The local school leaders had other advantages. Americans are deeply accustomed to a national soundtrack of frustrations with public education, noted Ira Stoll, a former managing editor of a Harvard-based education policy journal. But they also have shown a limited appetite for federal oversight of the nation’s elementary and secondary schools.

The elementary and secondary education system is largely locally controlled and locally funded. Although the federal government oversees civil rights complaints in schools, that is usually handled by the Education Department through an investigative process — not by Congress.

Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida and groups like Moms For Liberty have demonstrated that public schools can be ripe for political battle. But Republicans in Congress, who have been eager to recapture the power of the December hearing that helped precipitate the resignations of the presidents of Harvard and the University of Pennsylvania, also have a refined strategy for attacking higher education as a bastion of out-of-touch elites.

“There was a book, ‘Harvard Hates America,’” said Bill Kristol, the prominent conservative writer, referring to a conservative exposé from the 1970s on the elitism and liberal indoctrination on display at Harvard. “There’s no book, ‘Fairfax County Public Schools Hate America.’”

Lawmakers did not always help themselves on Wednesday. They often meandered during their five-minute allotments for questions, keeping the proceedings unfocused as witnesses waited out the clock, all too happy to let them ruminate.

Republicans did manage a few triumphant moments. Under questioning from Representative Virginia Foxx, Republican of North Carolina, Ms. Ford Morthel acknowledged that parts of a Berkeley lesson on the Israel-Hamas war seemed to minimize the impact of the conflict on Israelis.

Representative Kevin Kiley, Republican of California, also proved effective when he asked questions about the district’s ethnic studies curriculum.

Ms. Ford Morthel acknowledged that her district was working with a group known as Liberated Ethnic Studies, which offers sample curriculum materials that are highly critical of Israel — in defiance of California guidelines on how the subject should be taught.

Overall, though, “I thought that the questions were not sharp,” said Lori Lowenthal Marcus, legal director of the Deborah Project, a group that has sued several California school districts, including Berkeley, for what it considers antisemitic bias in curriculum materials about Israel. “I thought that the people testifying were able to slide away.”

Representative Aaron Bean, the Florida Republican who led the hearing, declared that it had “been an excellent meeting" with “an open and honest conversation.”

“Our objectives were shining the light that this is indeed happening,” he said of reports of antisemitism in schools. “A lot of folks say it’s not happening.”

Republicans will have another chance to make their point on May 23, when the presidents of three universities — Northwestern, Rutgers and the University of California, Los Angeles — are expected on Capitol Hill.

Whether Republicans can realize their ambitions may well hinge on which playbook those presidents use.

Alan Blinder is a national correspondent for The Times, covering education. More about Alan Blinder

Annie Karni is a congressional correspondent for The Times. She writes features and profiles, with a recent focus on House Republican leadership. More about Annie Karni

Dana Goldstein covers education and families for The Times.  More about Dana Goldstein