Is 20 a Good ACT Score?
A 20 composite sits at the 63rd national rank — around the national median.
ACT 20 = 63rd percentile (national average: 19.4).
- Composite20
- National rank63rd
- vs. average+0.6
- VerdictAround the national median
Source: ACT national ranks 2025–2026 (2023–25 graduates).
The 20 in context
ACT ranks are “percent at or below”: a 20 means you matched or beat 63% of recent test takers (2023–2025 graduates). The average composite is 19.4; the middle of the college-bound pack sits 19–24, and selective flagships report middle ranges of roughly 30–34. Composite quirks matter: it’s the rounded average of four sections, so one weak section is cheap to fix.
Frequently asked questions
Is 20 a good ACT score?
A 20 composite is at the 63rd national rank — around the national median. The class-of-2025 average was 19.4.
What SAT score equals a 20 ACT?
Concordance tables put each ACT point at roughly 30-40 SAT points in the middle of the scale; official College Board/ACT concordance is the authoritative crosswalk.
Should I retake a 20?
Retake if you're below a target school's middle-50% range and your practice tests run higher — composite gains of 1-3 points are typical with focused section work.
Sources & methodology
Sources: ACT national ranks.