What Is a Good PreACT Score for a Freshman? 2025 Guide

A good PreACT score for a freshman is generally anything at or above the national average composite of about 16–17, with scores of 19–21 considered strong and 22+ excellent for 9th grade. Because the PreACT uses the same 1–35 scale as the ACT, a freshman scoring in the high teens is already performing near the level of a typical college-bound 11th grader. Your exact target depends on your goals, but any score gives you useful data to plan your ACT prep.

How PreACT Scoring Works

The PreACT is a practice test from ACT that predicts how you’ll perform on the real ACT. It’s scored on the same 1–35 scale, so your results translate directly to the ACT’s range. That’s the key difference from the PSAT, which uses a different scale tied to the SAT.

You get separate section scores (1–35 each) for English, Math, Reading, and Science, plus a composite score (1–35) that averages the four sections and rounds to the nearest whole number. The composite is the headline number most people focus on.

Unlike the ACT itself, the PreACT does not include a Writing section, so there’s no essay score. There’s also no penalty for guessing—only correct answers count.

The composite is designed to predict your future ACT score if you tested today under similar conditions. A freshman who scores a 20 on the PreACT, for example, is roughly on track to score around 20 on the ACT without additional prep. Since you have two to three years to improve, that score is a starting point, not a ceiling.

What’s a Good Score by Grade

A good PreACT score shifts depending on when you take it. A 9th grader and an 11th grader who both score a 20 are in very different positions—the freshman has far more room to grow.

For freshmen, the bar is naturally lower because you’ve had less coursework. ACT designs the PreACT to be taken in 9th or 10th grade as an early check-in.

These are approximate benchmarks based on typical national performance. The pattern is clear: what counts as “good” rises as you advance through high school, because you’ve covered more material and had more practice time. For a freshman, scoring above 20 puts you ahead of most of your peers, and hitting 22 or higher as a 9th grader suggests strong college-readiness potential.

Here’s a rough breakdown of freshman score bands:

• Below average (1–15): You’re still building foundational skills. Common for freshmen, and not a cause for alarm.
• Average (16–17): You’re right in the middle of the pack for 9th grade. Solid footing to build on.
• Good (19–21): You’re performing above most freshmen and on track for a competitive ACT score with continued work.
• Excellent (22–27): You’re well above average and showing strong potential for a high ACT score.
• Outstanding (28–35): Rare for a freshman and a sign of exceptional readiness.

A Quick Worked Example

Imagine a freshman named Maya. She scores 17 on English, 19 on Math, 16 on Reading, and 18 on Science. Her composite is 18 (the average of 17, 19, 16, and 18, rounded). That’s a good score for 9th grade—above average. Her Reading score is the weakest, so she’d focus there first, knowing she has two years to raise it.

Using Your Score

Your PreACT score is a diagnostic tool, not a final judgment. The whole point is to find your strengths and weaknesses early, while you still have time to act.

Start by looking at your section scores, not just the composite. If your Math score is much higher than your Reading score, that tells you where to focus. If all four sections are roughly equal, you have a balanced profile and can work on raising everything together.

Next Steps for ACT Prep

• Identify weak areas. Review which question types you missed most. Was it geometry? Vocabulary in context? Data interpretation?
• Build foundational skills. As a freshman, your priority is coursework—take challenging classes in English, math, and science. Strong grades and solid content knowledge matter more than drilling test tricks this early.
• Practice strategically. Take another practice test in 6–12 months to measure growth. Don’t over-test as a freshman; burnout helps no one.
• Set a realistic target. Aim to raise your composite by 2–4 points by junior year. Consistent, focused effort beats cramming.
• Use official resources. ACT provides free and low-cost prep materials aligned with the real test.

Avoid the trap of comparing yourself to seniors or to online “perfect score” stories. Your job is to improve relative to where you started. A freshman who moves from 16 to 20 over a year has made excellent progress.

Why Freshman Year Is a Strategic Time to Test

Testing as a 9th grader might feel premature, but there are real advantages to getting an early read. You have the maximum runway: two to three years of coursework and light practice can move a composite several points. You also learn the mechanics of standardized testing before the stakes are high, so pacing and the “no penalty for guessing” rule hold no surprises later. And you can align your course selection with your results—if Math lags, prioritize algebra and geometry; if Reading is weak, seek out more challenging texts.

Your PreACT report also includes a predicted ACT range for each section, a STEM score combining Math and Science, and ACT’s College Readiness Benchmarks showing whether your scores suggest readiness for first-year college courses. Don’t just glance at the composite and file the report away. Spend 20 minutes reviewing each section, then write down one specific goal per subject—for example, “Raise Reading from 16 to 19 by spring by reading two long-form articles per week and practicing inference questions.”

If your school doesn’t offer the PreACT, you can still practice with official ACT materials and timed sections at home. The score report is helpful, but the act of testing under realistic conditions is the real value. For questions about test dates, registration, or fee waivers, check directly with ACT or your school counselor.

Key Takeaways

• A good PreACT score for a freshman is around 19–21, with 22+ being excellent; the national average sits near 16–17.
• The PreACT uses the same 1–35 scale as the ACT, so your composite predicts your likely ACT performance.
• Benchmarks rise with grade level—what’s good for a 9th grader would be below average for a junior.
• Use section scores to spot strengths and weaknesses, then plan targeted ACT prep over the next two years.
• Treat your freshman score as a starting point, not a verdict, and focus on coursework alongside test practice.