Your ACT English score is a scaled number from 1 to 36 that reflects how well you handled grammar, rhetoric, and style questions across five passages. It is one of four section scores that make up your ACT composite, and for many students it is the easiest section to improve quickly. This guide breaks down how the ACT English section is scored, what the average and percentile benchmarks look like, what score you need for competitive colleges, and how to raise your number efficiently.
How the ACT English Section Is Scored
The ACT English section has 75 questions. Your raw score is simply the number of questions you answer correctly. There is no penalty for wrong answers, so every blank is a missed opportunity. Your raw score is then converted to a scaled score from 1 to 36 using a conversion table that adjusts slightly for each test date based on difficulty.
The conversion is not linear. At the top of the scale, every question matters: missing just two or three questions can drop you from a 36 to a 33. In the middle range, the curve is more forgiving, and each additional correct answer may not change your scaled score at all.
These numbers are approximate. The exact conversion shifts by one or two points depending on the difficulty of the specific test form. You can find the official conversion table for your test date on your ACT score report.
ACT English Score Percentiles
Your percentile tells you what percentage of test takers scored at or below your score. A percentile of 75 means you scored higher than 75% of all students who took the ACT. Percentiles are more useful than raw scores for understanding where you stand nationally.
Note that percentiles can shift slightly from year to year as the test-taking population changes. The numbers above are based on recent national ACT data and are accurate for planning purposes.
Average ACT English Score
The national average ACT English score is approximately 20, which falls at the 49th percentile. This means roughly half of all test takers score above 20 and half score below.
However, averages vary significantly by state and demographic. Students in states where the ACT is the default college entrance exam (like Alabama, Mississippi, and Kentucky) tend to have lower averages because nearly every student takes the test, not just college-bound high achievers. In states where the SAT is dominant and only motivated students opt into the ACT, averages tend to be higher.
What Is a Good ACT English Score?
A "good" score depends entirely on where you want to go to college. There is no universal cutoff. Here is a practical framework:
- 20 (50th percentile): Meets the national average. Competitive for open-admission and many mid-tier state universities.
- 24 (69th percentile): Above average. Competitive for most state flagship universities and many private colleges.
- 28 (83rd percentile): Strong score. Puts you in the running at selective schools with ACT composite expectations of 28-32.
- 32 (93rd percentile): Excellent. Competitive for top 50 national universities and elite liberal arts colleges.
- 34+ (97th+ percentile): Outstanding. Competitive at Ivy League and equivalent institutions, though these schools evaluate the full application holistically.
The most important thing is to look up the middle 50% ACT range for your target schools. If a university's middle 50% composite is 29-33, you want each section score to be at least 29, and ideally above the median of 31.
ACT English Score Goals by College Tier
The table below shows approximate ACT English score targets based on how selective the school is. These are estimates based on published middle 50% composite ranges. Your composite score matters more than any single section, but a strong English score helps pull the composite up.
Remember that these are section-level targets. Your ACT composite (the average of all four section scores) is what colleges primarily look at. If you are scoring well above target on English, you have room to compensate for a slightly lower score in another section like math or science. Check out our ACT overview page for a full breakdown of how the composite score works.
ACT English Subscores: What They Tell You
In addition to your overall English score (1-36), your ACT score report breaks your performance into reporting categories that show where your strengths and weaknesses lie:
If your Conventions subscore is low, you need to review core grammar rules like comma usage, subject-verb agreement, and sentence boundaries. If Production of Writing is weak, focus on transitions and rhetorical strategy. If Knowledge of Language is the problem, practice identifying redundancy and matching tone. Our ACT English prep guide breaks down each category with strategies and examples.
How to Raise Your ACT English Score
ACT English is one of the most improvable sections on the entire test. Students regularly gain 4 to 8 points with focused study because the section tests a finite set of grammar rules and rhetorical concepts that can be memorized and practiced.
The high-impact rules to learn first
These five grammar rules account for the largest share of ACT English questions. Mastering just these five can lift your score by 3 to 5 points:
- Comma splices and run-on sentences. Two independent clauses need a semicolon, period, or comma + coordinating conjunction. A comma alone is never enough.
- Subject-verb agreement. Find the true subject by crossing out prepositional phrases. The verb must match the subject in number.
- Redundancy and wordiness. When two choices are grammatically correct, the shorter, cleaner version is almost always the answer.
- Pronoun-antecedent agreement. Singular antecedents (everyone, each, every) take singular pronouns. Ambiguous pronouns must be replaced with specific nouns.
- Transitions. Name the relationship between two sentences (contrast, cause-effect, addition, example) before selecting a transition word.
Score improvement timeline
The most effective practice method is to work through questions organized by skill, review every explanation, and retake missed questions a week later. Start with our free ACT English practice test to diagnose your weak areas, then drill those specific skills with our 25-question skill bank. For daily adaptive practice with instant scoring, try a free ACT English quiz on Larry Learns.
If you prefer books, we reviewed the best ACT prep books for 2026 with honest recommendations for every score level.
ACT English Score vs. SAT Writing Score
If you are deciding between the ACT and the SAT, here is how the English/Writing sections compare:
Students who are strong in grammar but struggle with reading comprehension often do better on the ACT English section, which is more grammar-focused. Students who prefer more time per question and are strong readers may prefer the SAT. The best way to decide is to take a practice test for each and compare your scores.
Frequently Asked Questions About ACT English Scores
What is the average ACT English score?
The national average ACT English score is approximately 20, placing it at the 49th percentile. About half of all test takers score above 20 and half below. The average has remained relatively stable over the past several years, typically falling between 19.5 and 20.5.
What ACT English score do I need for a scholarship?
Most merit scholarships are based on your ACT composite score, not individual sections. However, a strong English score helps pull your composite up. Many state university merit scholarships require a composite of 28 or higher, which typically means scoring at least 27-28 on each section. Highly competitive national scholarships often look for composites of 33+.
Is a 25 a good ACT English score?
Yes. A 25 puts you at the 73rd percentile, meaning you scored higher than about three-quarters of all test takers. It is competitive for most state flagship universities and many private colleges. If your target schools have a middle 50% ACT range of 25-30, a 25 English score puts you at the lower end but still within range.
How many questions can I miss and still get a 30 on ACT English?
You can typically miss 12 to 13 questions out of 75 and still score a 30. That means you need approximately 62 to 63 correct answers. The exact number varies by test form, but getting roughly 83% of questions right usually lands in the 30 range.
Can I improve my ACT English score by 5 points?
Absolutely. A 5-point improvement on ACT English is realistic for most students with 4 to 6 weeks of focused practice. The section tests a fixed set of grammar rules and question types that respond well to targeted study. Focus on the five highest-frequency rules (comma splices, subject-verb agreement, redundancy, pronouns, and transitions), practice 15 to 30 questions per day, and review every mistake.
Does the ACT English score affect my composite more than other sections?
No. Your ACT composite is the simple average of your four section scores (English, Math, Reading, Science), weighted equally. However, because ACT English is often the most improvable section, raising it is one of the fastest ways to boost your composite. Going from a 20 to a 26 on English alone would raise your composite by 1.5 points.
