Is 26 a Good ACT Score?
A 26 composite sits at the 86th national rank — good — top fifth of test takers.
ACT 26 = 86th percentile (national average: 19.4).
- Composite26
- National rank86th
- vs. average+6.6
- VerdictGood
Source: ACT national ranks 2025–2026 (2023–25 graduates).
The 26 in context
ACT ranks are “percent at or below”: a 26 means you matched or beat 86% 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 26 a good ACT score?
A 26 composite is at the 86th national rank — good — top fifth of test takers. The class-of-2025 average was 19.4.
What SAT score equals a 26 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 26?
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.