ACT Cutoff 2023 - Minimum Score Requirement, University Wise Cutoff

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Samarpita Goswami
Updated on Apr 06, 2023 7:06 PM IST

ACT cutoff is nothing but the minimum score set by an institution, which an applicant should fulfil in order to seek admission to various bachelor's programmes. While some may have a section-wise ACT cutoff, some may ask for the composite ACT score and some may even ask for both. 

Individual higher education institutions across the world accepting ACT scores set their own standard minimum ACT cutoff for international applicants applying for admission to undergraduate programmes. It is also to be noted that the ACT cutoff may vary from university to university, depending upon the field and the course that one chooses to study. That said, in general, top US universities accept an ACT cut-off score between 30 and 34.

ACT 2023 Cutoff

The ACT cut off is the minimum score that universities abroad require to enrol students for various undergraduate courses. Each university sets its minimum ACT score requirement for admission and it keeps varying from one university to another. The conducting body of the exam does not set any cut off score. Again the scores vary from one course to another with more professional and challenging courses demanding higher ACT cut off. 

While shortlisting the colleges and universities accepting ACT scores, make sure to go through the admission requirements and policies before finalising the decisions. You must make a list of all the colleges and their required cutoff scores for future reference. In this way, you will also be able to set your target score. You will be able to apply for the ACT exam accordingly and secure the minimum marks.

Know About ACT Cutoff for Admission to Top Universities Abroad!

ACT Section-wise and Composite Average Score

The ACT exam sections are English, Maths, Reading and Science and are scored on a scale of 1 to 36 points and then the average score is calculated to take out the ACT Composite Score. It is rounded to the nearest whole number. 

The composite score is also in the range of 1 to 36. The minimum section-wise ACT cutoff to study in institutions abroad is given below:

ACT Section

Average ACT Score

Science

21.0

Math

20.7

English

20.3

Reading

21.4

Composite

21.0

What is a Good ACT Score for You?

Candidates keep wondering what a good ACT score will be. In reality, no one can say definitely what a good ACT score can be and is entirely dependent on the cut off set by the university that you may wish to apply. An ACT score of 29 may help you get into Texas A&M University, Pennsylvania State University, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University and Baylor University.

On the other hand, a 29 is considered a high score if one is looking for admission to less popular colleges such as the University of South Indiana, CSU Long Beach and the University of Southern Indiana. 

Therefore, it is proved that a good ACT score is a relative factor. However, if you score high, you can easily get into top-ranking colleges and universities and will also be eligible for ACT scholarships.

ACT Cutoff Score at Top Universities in the US

Here is the list of the some of the top institutes in the United States along with the ACT score needed for admission based on the previous few years' data:

Name of the University

Average Composite ACT Score

California Institute of Technology

36

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

35

Brown University

34

Carnegie Mellon University

34

Columbia University

34

Dartmouth University

34

Harvard University

34

Johns Hopkins University

34

Northwestern University

34

Princeton University

34

Rice University

34

Stanford University

34

University of Pennsylvania

34

Notre Dame University

34

Yale University

34

Amherst University

33

Boston College

33

Carleton

33

Emory

33

Georgetown

33

Florida State University

27-31

University of Florida 28-33

Hamilton

33

University of Georgia 27-32

Haverford

33

New College of Florida

25-33

University of North Georgia

21-26

Howard University

22-26

Illinois Wesleyan University

24-29

University of North CarolinaChapel Hill

27-33

Tufts University

33

University of MichiganAnn Arbor

31-34

University of TexasAustin

26-33

University of Miami

28-32

University of Tulsa

24-31

University of Hawaii at Manoa

20-26

John Brown University

23-29

Oklahoma State University

21-28

University of ColoradoBoulder

24-31

Louisiana State UniversityBaton Rouge

23-28

Central Michigan University

20-26

University of Michigan

33

Williams

33

Georgia Institute of Technology

30-34

Know ACT Cutoff to Apply to Top Universities Abroad!

FAQs on ACT Cut-offs

What is the maximum that I can score in the ACT?

The maximum marks one can score in the ACT is 36. However, as per latest statistics, out of 12.95 lakh students in the class of 2021 who took the ACT test, only 4,055 managed to get the highest possible ACT score, that is just 0.313% of the total test takers. Candidates who want to maximise their chances of getting a high score should be familiar with the ACT exam pattern, syllabus and test-prep material.

Should I submit my ACT scores to a test-blind college?

Submitting your ACT score to a test-blind college, however high, would not help in your admissions. Test-blind colleges do not consider your test scores to offer admissions.

Should I submit my ACT scores to a test-flexible college?

Yes, you can certainly submit your ACT scores to a test-flexible college if you have already taken the test and your score is good enough.

Is ACT mandatory for admission to US colleges?

With many US colleges going test-optional, flexible or blind, ACT is no longer considered mandatory. It will, however, from one college to another.

Can I get into a US college with an ACT score of 16-17?

A number of US colleges accept an ACT score of 16-17. One may also apply to the colleges that have gone test-optional, flexible or blind.

What is the minimum passing score for ACT?

The minimum or lowest passing scoring for the ACT is 1.

Is there any option to get the ACT score cross-verified?

Yes, you can get the ACT score verified up to 12 months of the test date.

Is there a predefined cutoff for ACT?

Universities set their own minimum ACT requirements for admission purposes.

What is the ACT minimum score needed to apply for admissions at abroad universities?

There is no specific minimum ACT score defined for admissions at abroad universities. However, some universities set their own minimum ACT requirements for acceptance of admission.

What is the average ACT cutoff?

The average ACT score, at the 50th percentile, is 20.8.

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