Is 36 a Good ACT Score?
A 36 composite sits at the 100th national rank — elite — top 2%, competitive anywhere.
ACT 36 = 100th percentile (national average: 19.4).
- Composite36
- National rank100th
- vs. average+16.6
- VerdictElite
Source: ACT national ranks 2025–2026 (2023–25 graduates).
The 36 in context
ACT ranks are “percent at or below”: a 36 means you matched or beat 100% 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 36 a good ACT score?
A 36 composite is at the 100th national rank — elite — top 2%, competitive anywhere. The class-of-2025 average was 19.4.
What SAT score equals a 36 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 36?
Only if a specific program demands it — past 33, time is better spent on essays and grades.
Sources & methodology
Sources: ACT national ranks.