A. The best possible score on the ACT is a 36. Unlike with the SAT, where scores in each section are added together for a total score, your four ACT scores (Writing isn't included) are averaged to determine your composite score. Because a 35.5 or 35.75 average is rounded up to a 36, that means you can get a 35, 35, 36, 36 or a 34, 36, 36, 36 and still get a perfect score. But almost no one scores that high--about one in 6000 students manages to get the elusive 36.

So what's a good ACT score? While many students and parents ask that question, there really isn't a great answer. A good score on the ACT is different for each student, and depends on where you want to go to college.

Here are some rough, unofficial estimates of the average ACT score at various schools. The average isn't necessarily the score you need to get into a college--there are plenty of factors other than ACT score at work, and by definition half of the students at any school are below the average. But it's a good ballpark figure if you're trying to decide whether your ACT score is good enough.

• MIT - 33
• Duke - 31
• Boston University - 28
• University of Michigan - 28
• University of Illinois - 28
• Ohio State - 26
• University of Texas - 26
• University of South Carolina - 24
• University of Vermont - 24
• Washington State University - 23
• St. Bonaventure University - 22
• Spelman College - 22

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