Is a 20 on the ACT a decent score?

A 20 on the ACT falls slightly below the national average score of 21. While this score may limit your options at highly selective colleges, many quality institutions regularly accept students with ACT scores in this range. Your score places you at approximately the 48th percentile, meaning you scored higher than about 48% of test-takers nationwide.

Your ACT score of 20 can be competitive at many regional public universities, community colleges, and some private institutions. Schools like Western Kentucky University, University of Maine, and numerous state colleges typically accept students with ACT scores between 18-23. These institutions often evaluate applications holistically, considering factors beyond test scores such as GPA, extracurricular activities, and personal essays.

Whether you should retake the ACT depends on your target schools and academic goals. If you're aiming for more selective colleges or universities with average ACT scores above 23, you might want to consider retaking the test after additional preparation. However, if your target schools accept scores around 20, and you're satisfied with your college options, you may not need to retest.

To maximize your college acceptance chances with a 20 ACT score, focus on maintaining a strong GPA and developing a well-rounded application. Many colleges are also becoming test-optional, meaning you might not need to submit your ACT scores at all. Research each school's middle 50% ACT range to determine where your score fits within their typical admission parameters. Remember that test scores are just one component of your college application, and many students with similar scores go on to have successful college experiences.