What is a good test score? Families often want a single number, but a good score is the one that gets your student where they want to go.
Start with the college list
Look up the middle 50% score range for recently admitted students at each school on your student's list. You'll usually find it on the school's admissions website or in its Common Data Set. How do your student's scores compare: in the range, above it or below it? Aim for a score at least in the middle of the range at their top-choice schools.
Also check each school's testing policy. Some are test-optional, some are test-blind, and a growing number of selective colleges require scores again. At test-optional schools, a score below the middle of the range may be better left off the application.
Then look at GPA
Grades and scores work together. If your student's GPA is a bit lower than typical admits, a strong score can help balance it. If their GPA is strong but scores are lower, they'll still want to improve, but their goal can be more modest. If your school uses Naviance or Scoir, the scattergrams show how past applicants from your school fared at each college.
Build a plan to get there
Score gains vary with effort, time and practice, so think about how your student learns best. Do they need a few sessions to brush up on math and grammar, or more time to work on pacing, strategy and new concepts? Practicing with official materials from the College Board and ACT and tracking scores along the way will show whether they're on track.
