Is 34 ACT a Good Score? How can I Improve It ?

Look at the average 34 ACT score you’ll need for a great application and how you may improve it.

You may have been told numerous times as a high school student that you need strong ACT scores to enroll in your first choice of college. Higher exam scores suggest that you are eligible for prestigious universities. Lower exam scores may limit your educational options.

What are the high and low scores in this situation, though? How should your test score be compared? On this page, you can find information about your score and the universities you qualify for. 

Do ACT Scores Have any Importance?

Your ACT scores play a significant impact in enhancing your chances of college admission. ACT scores play an important role in good grade records, personal statements, lists of activities, and recommendation letters. Although several institutions have gone test-optional in recent years, ACT scores continue to be important. 

This standardized test is intended to assess your intellectual aptitude in several basic academic subjects. The admissions committee will use these results to compare you to the other applicants. Many institutions also provide merit-based scholarships for which you might be considered depending on your ACT results. The higher your scores, the better your chances.

What Is the Average ACT Score?

The ACT consists of 215 multiple-choice questions broken into four sections:

• English (75 questions)
• Math (60 questions)
• Reading (40 questions)
• Science (40 questions)

Each correct response gives you a point. Each section’s final score is converted on a scale of 1 to 36 potential points. The overall average ACT score equals the sum of the four sections’ averages. As a result, the points from the four parts are summed, divided by four, and rounded to the nearest complete number.

Is 34 a good ACT score?

If you scored 34 ACT, you must surely think about how you compare to other students. Is a 34 ACT score good enough to get into college? The fact is that it is determined by your specific college aspirations and where you wish to apply. 

Will you be accepted to your top-choice colleges?

We examined data from millions of students and thousands of universities to determine your possibility of admission with a 34 ACT score. 

What colleges can you apply to if you have an ACT 34 score?

Reach Schools: More Difficult to Enter

These colleges are difficult to get into since their average ACT score is higher than 34. However, if you raise your ACT 34 score, you will have a much greater chance.

College/ University Name	Location	Average SAT score	Average ACT score
California Institute of Technology	Pasadena, CA	1545	36
Massachusetts Institute of Technology	Cambridge, MA	1535	35
Princeton University	Princeton, NJ	1505	34
Brown University	Providence, RI	1485	34

Same Level: Equally Difficult to Enter

The average ACT score at these schools is close to 34. If you enroll at these colleges, you will have a good chance of getting in. You will considerably boost your options by raising your 34 ACT score by two points.

College/ University Name	Location	Average SAT score	Average ACT score
University of Pennsylvania	Philadelphia, PA	1500	34
Boston College	Chestnut Hill, MA	1420	33
Tufts University	Medford, MA	1465	33
Villanova University	Villanova, PA	1395	33
Boston University	Boston, MA	1420	32
New York University	New York, NY	1440	32
Lehigh University	Bethlehem, PA	1365	31

Safety Schools: Easier to Enroll

You’re already very competitive for these colleges with a 34 ACT score. If you enrol, you will almost surely be accepted. Your Safety Schools will benefit if you boost your ACT score.

College/ University Name	Location	Average SAT score	Average ACT score
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute	Troy, NY	1409	31
The University of Texas at Dallas	Richardson, TX	1350	30
The University of Texas at Austin	Austin, TX	1355	30
University of California, Irvine	Irvine, CA	1310	29

How Can You Improve Your 34 ACT Score?

It all comes down to identifying your shortcomings and developing a study strategy around them.

Use Practice Exams

Taking practice examinations is a great method to brush up on your abilities and knowledge. You may review your results and pinpoint the portions or regions where you are suffering by taking these exams.

Use ACT Preparation Materials

Several ACT prep books are available to help you discover new tips and methods for approaching each section and question type. Use all resources available to you to assist you in preparing for the exam. Additionally, familiarise yourself with the tools you will be using throughout the test, such as the calculator. Ascertain that you are comfortable with the features it provides so that the process of dealing with it is swift and straightforward during the real exam.

Practice makes perfect

Although this may appear to be an obvious step, it is always worth noting. You must be aware of the significance of the practice. However, bear in mind that it is much more important to continue practicing once you have determined which areas require more attention. The only way to improve these deficiencies is to practice.

Taking Rest

You should constantly balance the amount of work you put into something and how well you take care of yourself. If you don’t take breaks, engage in leisure activities between practice tests, and give your brain time to relax, you’ll burn out and all your hard work for nothing.

It is preferable to make intelligent guesses than to leave voids

It is mostly referred to while you’re taking the test. Did you know that there is no consequence for answering incorrectly on the ACT? Even if you are doubtful about an answer, it is preferable to guess rather than leave it blank.

Learn the subject that needs memorizing

Preparing for the ACT is a complex mechanism. In addition to the test material, you must study test structure, test strategy, and time management. Many of the skills tested are soft skills, such as presuming meaning when reading or evaluating how ideas function together in a written document. 

Make the most of the elimination process

While it might be frightening to read a question and have no clue what the right answer is, you can take comfort in knowing that on a multiple-choice exam, the answer is indeed right next to you. Each question on the ACT has five response options. This indicates that even if you don’t read the question or the answers, you have a 20% chance of getting it right.

Seek assistance

Many students believe that ACT instructors are a luxury available exclusively to those who can afford them. However, there are some possibilities for those on a considerably smaller budget. Private one-on-one tutoring is usually the most expensive choice, but it may also be the most beneficial for money and time. Explore private teachers in your area to understand the cost and expectations better.

Learn a rapid reading method

This is closely related to time management. The ACT Reading, English, and Science portions are all heavy on reading, and, like the Math test, there isn’t much time to finish them. As a result, you should go into the test knowing exactly how you will approach the written sections in each part.

You will most likely need to understand how to browse a passage successfully for the Reading portion. Some students like to read the complete beginning paragraph, each body paragraph’s first and last sentences, and the entire conclusion paragraph. Others merely read the first and final sentences of each section. Try out several tactics to find which one works best for you on your practice examinations.

The questions are more narrowly focused on the English and Science portions. You can answer scientific questions even if you haven’t read the chapter. Start with the questions and see if you can answer them using only the provided instructional graphics. 

You may frequently get away with reading only phrases related to questions on the English test. These will be highlighted in the text. You may need to read the whole sentence before and after certain questions to understand the context better. But for the most part, the information in that sentence will be sufficient.

Conclusion

You can assess where you stand and what your next move should be now that you know more about what other test-takers obtain on their ACT, as well as what some universities need. Are your results adequate, or do you need to repeat the test? It is entirely up to you and the colleges you have applied to.

Each college has its own set of scoring expectations. This is why the concept of a high ACT score is relative and relies on the college to which you intend to apply. Remember that test results are only one piece of the puzzle. Colleges usually set qualifying ACT scores; thus, they are typically combined with the student’s GPA and other accomplishments. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1.Is 34 a good ACT score?

A: Yes, a 34 is an excellent score. Out of the 2 million people who took the ACT entrance exam, you are in the top 99th percentile nationally.

Q2. What will an ACT score of 34 get you?

A: You qualify for merit aid from both your future college or university and outside scholarship providers with a 34 ACT.

Q3. Can you get into Harvard with a 34 ACT?

A: At Harvard, a 34 is the typical composite ACT score. ACT scores range from 33 at the 25th percentile to 35 at the 75th percentile.

Q4. How many students get a 34 ACT?

A: Unsurprisingly, a flawless 36 is the least common result of all; only 0.313% of test takers achieved this mark. The next-highest score, 35, was gained by roughly three times as many students, but it is still an extremely uncommon number, as just 0.925% of test takers received it. Be aware that nearly four times as many students received a 34 than a 36.