What ACT Score Does An Athlete Need?
Academic eligibility can often get lost in the hectic and exciting recruiting process. As a prospect, I am sure you are curious about what ACT score you need to be able to continue playing the sport you love in college.
In short, school-specific academic eligibility requirements can vary greatly. However, you must receive a 75 sum score on the ACT to be considered academically eligible for any D1 sport. If you are interested in playing for a D2 level college, you have to get a sum score of 70 on the ACT. Keep in mind that ACT scores are not the only requirement for being cleared academically eligible by the NCAA – GPA also plays a role.
Many recruits make the mistake of putting academic eligibility requirements on the back burner and, in turn, lose interest from some of the programs they are most interested in. It is never too early to begin planning your path towards academic eligibility. Additionally, coaches are more likely to recruit you if they can see that your academic performance matches their program’s standards. To help, we have included a more comprehensive guide to ACT scores and academic eligibility below.
NCAA’s Stance On The ACT And Other Standardized Tests
The NCAA requires athletes to meet a certain threshold of academic performance on standardized tests. They require you to take the ACT or the SAT, but not both. Many prospects find one easier than the other, so if you are struggling to meet your school’s requirements on one of the tests, consider sitting for the other.
**NCAA Requirements For The ACT:**The NCAA uses a sum score when evaluating your ACT score. This means that they add together your scores in the English, Math, Reading, and Science sections to create one total score. Strategically, this allows you to score higher on some sections than others. For Division 1 sports, you must score a 75. The requirements for Division 2 sports are slightly more lenient- requiring only a 70.
It Is Dependent On Your GPA: The NCAA considers your GPA in addition to your standardized test scores. They combine these two measures of academic performance by using a sliding scale model. This means that the higher your GPA is, the lower your test scores can be. We’ve included the different test scores you need based on your high school GPA below. When calculating your GPA, remember that the NCAA only considers core courses. Normally your school guidance counselor can provide you with your core course GPA.
| GPA For Receiving Scholarships | GPA For Academic Eligibility | ACT |
|---|---|---|
| 3.5 | 3.95 | 39 |
| 3.4 | 3.85 | 42 |
| 3.3 | 3.75 | 44 |
| 3.2 | 3.65 | 47 |
| 3.1 | 3.55 | 49 |
| 3.0 | 3.45 | 52 |
| 2.9 | 3.35 | 54 |
| 2.8 | 3.25 | 57 |
| 2.7 | 3.15 | 61 |
| 2.6 | 3.05 | 64 |
| 2.5 | 2.95 | 68 |
| 2.4 | 2.85 | 71 |
| 2.3 | 2.75 | 75 |
| 2.2 | 2.65 | 79 |
| 2.1 | 2.55 | 83 |
| 2.0 | 2.45 | 86 |
| 2.35 | 90 |
Colleges Have Institution-Specific Requirements: Meeting the NCAA’s requirements for standardized testing is often not enough to academically qualify for programs you are interested in. Many colleges have their own academic requirements that are stricter than the NCAA’s. Before meeting with a coach or visiting the campus of a school, you should research their academic requirements to see if you will be able to meet them.
If you wait until your senior year to begin evaluating your academic performance, the chances of you being ruled ineligible, or having to do significant catch up work, greatly increase. The earlier you start planning your path towards academic eligibility, the easier the process will be.
Improving Your ACT Score
There are many different things you can do to improve your performance on the ACT score if you are worried about meeting the NCAA’s academic requirements. Plus, the test is offered on a monthly basis, so you do not need to worry if you don’t pass it the first time you take it.
Consider Taking It More Than Once: In fact, taking the test a second time is normally considered a good thing. You’ll be able to better prepare for the exam because you will understand the types of questions that will be on the exam. Additionally, for those who are concerned about the cost of the ACT there is a fee waiver you can apply for that covers the cost of the exam.
Buy A Prep Book: The ACT publishes an official prep book for their exam each year. It only costs $25 and is a great resource for immediately improving your score. In addition to providing general test taking tips, it splits the test into individual sections and gives an overview of the material that you are expected to know for each part of the exam.
Ask Your Teachers For Help Preparing: Your teachers can be an incredibly valuable resource when you are preparing to take a standardized test. They have helped hundreds of students with the college process, and have a deep understanding of the material covered on the exams. If you are especially worried about the math section, for example, a math teacher at your school could be incredibly valuable to have by your side when you’re studying for the test.
If the NCAA’s requirements seem higher than you think you will achieve, consider implementing some of the preparation strategies listed above. Putting in effort before you sit for the exam will greatly improve your score.
Different Paths To Consider
The reality is that some prospects will not be able to meet the NCAA’s academic eligibility requirements, or those of the schools they are considering. If you are worried that you may fall into this camp, you will be glad to know that there are numerous other ways to continue playing the sport you love.
Pursue The Professional Option: In the United States, professional sports largely require you to have spent a certain number of years in college. However, many countries around the world do not have these same restrictions. For many sports, including baseball, basketball, and soccer, you are allowed to play immediately following high school in many countries around the world. This is a great opportunity if you are not ruled academically eligible by the NCAA.
Begin With Junior College: A more traditional path for those who aren’t ruled eligible is Junior College. Prospects attend junior college for one to two years, before attempting to transfer to a four year institution. It is a great opportunity to prove yourself to college coaches around the country – both athletically and academically.
Qualify For The NAIA: The NAIA is also an option where academic eligibility is much simpler. All you need is to satisfy two of the following three requirements: graduate in the top 50% of your class, maintain a high school GPA of a 2.0, or score an 18 on the ACT. This is a great option for prospects who want a chance to continue playing their sport in a slightly more relaxed environment.
Any of these options can lead to great athletic and academic careers. What is most important is that you make the decision that is best for your future. Talking to you parents, teachers, and the rest of your support network can be incredibly helpful in making this decision.
Things To Keep In Mind
Don’t Wait To Take Tests: Prospects can begin taking standardized tests as early as their freshman year of high school. While that would be a little early, it’s a good idea to consider taking one of the tests at the end of your sophomore year to get an idea of where you stand.
Consider Academics When Making Your List: Every school’s academic requirements are different. When constructing the list of schools you’re interested in, check how you stack up to each school’s requirements.
Talk To College Coaches: Often, if you discuss your academics with potential college coaches, they will give you great advice. It also shows them that you care about improving your academic performance.