ACT scores up but many not ready for college

The average composite score on the exam, which measures student readiness for college, rose to 21.1 after remaining constant at 20.9 for the previous two years. ACT scores range from 1 to 36.

Both males and females saw a higher average ACT composite score this year than last.

Males earned an average composite score of 21.2, while females earned an average score of 21.0, both up by 0.1 point from last year. Males earned higher average scores than females on ACT’s math and science tests, while females outscored males on the English and reading tests.

With the exception of Hispanic students, whose average composite score remained stable, students in all racial/ethnic groups posted gains in their average ACT composite scores this year compared to last.

The average score for Asian American students was up by 0.2 point, while average scores for African American, American Indian/Alaskan Native, and Caucasian students were each up by 0.1 point.

Asian American students again were the top scores at 22.3, followed by white students at 22.0, American Indian/Alaskan Native students at 18.8, Hispanic students at 18.6, and African American students at 17.1.

The number of Hispanic students taking the ACT has boomed in recent years, rising by nearly 30 percent since 2002 -- double the gain made by any other racial/ethnic group. During this period, scores for Hispanic students have actually risen, from 18.4 in 2002 to 18.6 this year.

ACT officials are calling the 0.2 increase significant, considering 40 percent or 1.2 million graduating seniors took the test nationwide.

“It takes an enormous amount of change for that large a group to move even a little bit, particularly when that group is changing and we’re seeing more students taking the ACT for the first time,” said ACT Chief Executive Officer, Richard L. Ferguson. 

The bad news is that 58 percent of ACT test-takers did not meet college-readiness benchmarks on the math test, while 73 percent did not meet the benchmarks on the science test. Only 21 percent met or exceeded college readiness benchmark scores on each of the four ACT exams: English, math, reading, and science.

The ACT administered its optional writing test for the first time this year, and 36 percent opted to take the test. The average score was 7.7 on a scale of 2 to12, with females scoring an average of 7.9; males, 7.4.

The report said only 54 percent of test-takers reported taking ACT’s recommended core curriculum: four years of English and three years each of math, science, and social studies. Students who took the core curriculum earned an average ACT score of 22, while those who took fewer courses scored an average of 19.7.

“One reason why such a large number of college-hopeful students fail to take the core curriculum is that many state graduation requirements have been less demanding than the recommended core,” the ACT report concluded.