What’s the “golden” score range on the ACT? What do I need to get to be competitive at the toughest schools in the country?

While no ACT score, including a 36, will guarantee you admission into any school, breaking a certain threshold will get you considered by any school in the country. There’s no hard-and-fast rule here, but any score of 31 or higher will get your application opened and reviewed by even the most competitive colleges, including the Ivies. While a higher score is always better, if you hit the 31 mark, you’re in excellent shape.