You're staring at your ACT score report. The composite looks decent, but then you see that lone number for the Writing section. It’s an 8. Or maybe a 6. Suddenly, you're spiraling, wondering if that single digit is going to get your application tossed into the "maybe later" pile at your dream school. Take a breath. Seriously. The average score on ACT writing is lower than you probably think, and its actual impact on your college admissions is even smaller than that.
Most students assume that because the ACT is out of 36, the writing score follows the same logic. It doesn't. The writing test—that optional 40-minute essay at the end of a grueling morning—is scored on a scale of 2 to 12. If you got a 6, you aren't failing. You're actually right in the middle of the pack.
What is the Actual Average Score on ACT Writing?
Let’s look at the hard data from ACT, Inc. For the 2023-2024 testing cycle, the national average score on ACT writing hovered right around a 6.2 or 6.3. That’s it. In a world where high-achieving students are constantly chasing 30s and 34s on the multiple-choice sections, a "6" feels like a slap in the face. It shouldn't.
The scoring system is unique because two different graders read your essay. They each give you a score from 1 to 6 in four specific domains: Ideas and Analysis, Development and Support, Organization, and Language Use and Conventions. Those scores are averaged and then summed. Because of this "two-human" system, getting a perfect 12 is statistically rare. It’s like trying to get two different people to agree perfectly on the quality of a steak. It rarely happens.
Think about the environment. You’ve just spent three hours bubbling in circles. Your brain is fried. You have 40 minutes to read a prompt about something like "public health vs. individual freedom," synthesize three different perspectives, and write a cohesive argument by hand. Most people produce "fine" work under those conditions. "Fine" is a 6.
Breaking Down the Percentiles
If you manage to snag an 8, you’re already in the 90th percentile. That means you did better than 90% of everyone else who took the test that day. A 10 puts you in the 99th percentile.
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Honestly, the difference between a 10 and a 12 is often just down to how much the grader liked your handwriting or if they’d had their coffee yet. It’s subjective. Admissions officers know this. They aren't looking for the next Hemingway; they just want to see if you can string a coherent thought together without using ChatGPT.
Does This Score Actually Matter for College?
Here is the truth: very few colleges actually require the ACT Writing section anymore. A decade ago, it was the gold standard. Every Ivy and top-tier state school wanted it. Today? Most have dropped it. The University of California system stopped requiring it years ago. Even Harvard and Yale shifted their policies.
Why the change? Because colleges have your application essay. They have your "Why Us?" supplemental prompts. They have your high school English grades. Those are much better indicators of your writing ability than a 40-minute "beat the clock" exercise.
However, if you're applying to specific honors programs or certain specialized schools, they might still look at it. But even then, they aren't looking for a 12. They're looking for "competence." If your average score on ACT writing is in that 7 to 9 range, you’ve proven you can write under pressure. Check the box and move on.
Why Most Students Struggle to Break a 7
The biggest mistake students make isn't a lack of vocabulary. It's a lack of structure. ACT graders are scanning these essays in about two to three minutes. If they can’t find your thesis in the first paragraph, or if your paragraphs don't have clear transitions, your score will tank regardless of how "smart" you sound.
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You have to play the game.
Use a clear, five-paragraph structure. I know, your English teacher told you it's "reductive," but for the ACT, it's a lifeline. It gives the grader a map. Also, you have to address all three perspectives provided in the prompt. If you only talk about your own opinion and ignore the other two viewpoints, you’re capping your score at a 6 or lower.
The "Length" Secret
There is a dirty little secret about the ACT essay: length correlates with higher scores. It’s not a hard rule, but it's a consistent trend. Students who write two full pages almost always score higher than those who write one page, even if the one-page essay is "tighter." More space allows for more "Development and Support," which is one of the four scoring domains. If you want to beat the average score on ACT writing, you need to write fast and fill the space.
Real-World Strategies to Raise Your Score
If you’re sitting at a 5 or 6 and really want to hit that 8 or 9 for a specific program, stop focusing on big words. Instead, focus on your "Analysis."
- Connect the dots: Don't just say "Perspective A is good." Say "Perspective A is valid because it addresses the economic concerns that Perspective B ignores." That's high-level thinking.
- Vary your sentences: If every sentence is ten words long, the grader gets bored. Use a short sentence for punch. Then use a longer one to explain a complex idea.
- Practice the "Pre-Write": Spend five minutes—no more—outlining. If you start writing without a plan, you'll wander off-topic by paragraph three.
I once coached a student who was a brilliant writer but kept getting 6s. Why? He was trying to be too nuanced. He was trying to argue that all three perspectives were wrong and proposed a fourth one. The graders didn't know what to do with him. Once he switched to picking one perspective and simply comparing it to the other two, his score jumped to a 10.
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The Takeaway on Your Scores
Don't let the average score on ACT writing define your academic worth. It’s a snapshot of what you can do in 40 minutes with a Number 2 pencil and a cramped hand. If you have an 8, you're golden. If you have a 6, you're normal. If you're below a 5, maybe consider a retake if your target school actually cares about the writing score, but otherwise, focus your energy on the math and science sections where the points actually move the needle on your composite.
Next Steps for Your Application
Check the "First-Year Admissions" page for every college on your list. Look specifically for the "Testing Requirements" section. You’ll likely find that 90% of them list the writing test as "Optional" or "Not Considered." If they don't need it, stop worrying about it.
If you do need to improve, grab a few practice prompts from the official ACT website. Set a timer for 40 minutes. Don't type it—write it by hand. This builds the "muscle memory" needed to keep your pace up during the actual exam. Focus on filling at least a page and a half while clearly mentioning all three perspectives. That alone will usually push you above the national average.
Actionable Insights:
- Verify Necessity: Confirm if your target schools even require the Writing score before stressing.
- Aim for an 8: This puts you in the 90th percentile and is sufficient for almost any competitive university.
- Prioritize Volume: Aim for at least 1.5 to 2 pages of handwritten text.
- Address the Perspectives: You must evaluate the relationship between your entry and the three provided perspectives to score high in "Ideas and Analysis."