A low ACT score generally falls below 16 to 18 on the composite, placing you in roughly the bottom third to bottom half of all test-takers. The ACT is scored on a scale of 1 to 36, and the national average composite hovers around 19 to 20. But whether a score counts as “low” depends on context: what colleges you’re applying to, whether you need merit scholarships, and whether your score triggers remedial coursework.
How ACT Scores Break Down by Percentile
The most concrete way to understand a low score is to look at where it falls relative to other students. ACT publishes national percentile ranks based on recent high school graduates. For composite scores in the lower range, here’s what the numbers look like:
- Composite 20: 63rd percentile, meaning you scored higher than 63% of students
- Composite 18: 52nd percentile, right at the middle of the pack
- Composite 16: 40th percentile, below average
- Composite 14: 27th percentile, in the bottom quarter
- Composite 12: 12th percentile, well below most test-takers
A composite of 18 is essentially the statistical midpoint. Anything below that puts you in the bottom half, and scores below 15 or 16 place you in the bottom third. Individual section scores can vary quite a bit from your composite. A 15 in math, for example, sits at the 32nd percentile, while a 15 in science is at the 26th percentile. So a score that’s mediocre in one subject might be genuinely low in another.
When a Low Score Triggers Remedial Courses
One of the most practical consequences of a low ACT score is being placed into developmental or remedial courses when you start college. These are classes that cover material you’re expected to already know, and they typically don’t count toward your degree. That means extra time and tuition spent before you can take the courses that actually earn credits.
The exact cutoffs vary by school and state, but a common pattern emerges. Many public colleges require at least an 18 or 19 on the English and math sections to place directly into college-level courses. Score below that threshold and you’ll likely start in a developmental writing or math class. Some institutions set the bar even lower: a score below 16 on a section may land you in an intermediate-level remedial track that takes two semesters to complete before you reach standard coursework. A few schools set the cutoff as high as 21 for certain subjects.
If your score hovers near these thresholds, it’s worth checking the specific placement policies at the schools you’re considering. The difference between a 17 and a 19 on the math section could mean skipping an entire semester of non-credit coursework.
What Low Scores Mean for College Admissions
Selective universities typically post middle-50% ACT ranges (the scores between their 25th and 75th percentile admitted students) well above 25. If your composite is below 18 or so, those schools are a stretch on test scores alone. But the college landscape is much broader than selective institutions.
Many public universities and community colleges have open or near-open admissions, meaning they accept most applicants regardless of ACT score. Your score may affect course placement at these schools (as described above), but it won’t necessarily keep you out. For mid-range four-year universities, a composite in the high teens to low 20s is often within the admitted range, though it may land you on the lower end.
It’s also worth noting that a growing number of colleges have adopted test-optional admissions policies. If your ACT score is the weakest part of your application, you may have the option to simply not submit it and let your GPA, coursework, and extracurriculars carry more weight.
Impact on Merit Scholarships
Merit-based financial aid is where a low ACT score stings the most. Many institutional scholarships use a combination of GPA and test scores to set award tiers, and a composite below 20 typically puts you below the cutoff for most merit money at four-year schools. State-funded scholarship programs often have specific ACT thresholds as well.
Some schools have moved away from requiring test scores for scholarship consideration. The University of Arizona, for instance, bases its first-year merit tuition scholarships on self-reported grades rather than ACT scores. But this approach isn’t universal, and at many institutions a low score still means less scholarship money or none at all.
Improving a Low Score on a Retake
If you’re unhappy with your score, retaking the ACT is one of the most straightforward things you can do. Score improvements on retakes are common. When Tennessee began paying for ACT retakes for all high school seniors, 75% took advantage of the program. Of those, 40% saw their score increase, and more than 2,000 students raised their composite enough to qualify for the state’s HOPE scholarship, which covers up to $16,000 in tuition or fees.
Targeted preparation makes a difference. If your section scores are uneven, focus your study time on the weakest areas. A jump of even 2 to 3 points on a section score can move you across important thresholds for course placement and scholarship eligibility. The ACT allows you to retake the exam up to 12 times, and most colleges will consider your highest composite or your highest individual section scores across multiple sittings (a practice called “superscoring”).
Free and low-cost prep resources are widely available, including official ACT practice tests and prep tools through organizations like Khan Academy. If your score is in the 14 to 17 range, a structured study plan over 6 to 8 weeks can realistically push you into the high teens or low 20s, which opens doors for both admissions and financial aid.