Purdue University, known for its strong academic programs and innovative research, has specific expectations for ACT scores. This article will provide a detailed look into Purdue’s ACT requirements and what prospective students should know. Be sure to check out our other post discussing Purdue’s SAT stats and requirements!
What is the average ACT score at Purdue University?
In keeping with its reputation for academic excellence, Purdue’s average composite ACT score falls around a 31, out of the maximum possible 36 points. This is significantly higher than the national average of about 21. The 25th percentile score for incoming students is a 27, and the 75th percentile is a composite score of 34.
This means that the lowest 25% of scorers achieved a 27 or below, and the highest 25% of scorers had a 34 or above. These numbers demonstrate the high standards Purdue holds for its students. However, the range also shows that there is no one number that applicants must achieve for admission.
What is the average ACT English score at Purdue University?
The ACT composite score is the average of the scores a student achieves on each of the four test sections: English, mathematics, reading, and science. Here, we will break down the Purdue ACT English and Math score statistics.
The average ACT English score at Purdue is 31. Moreover, the 25th and 75th percentiles fall at 25 and 35, respectively. Overall, Purdue students perform very well on the English section of the ACT, with many achieving high scores.
From these statistics, we can see that 25% of admitted students scored a 25 or below on their English score section. Further, 25% of admitted students scored a 35 or above on their ACT English section, likely with quite a few perfect scores among them.
What is the average ACT Math score at Purdue University?
The average ACT math score at Purdue is 30. Meanwhile, the 25th percentile sits at 26 and the 75th percentile reaches a strong 34. Therefore, an ACT math score of 26 to 34 would place you in the middle 50% of scorers at Purdue.
While these scores are slightly lower than the English section scores, they are still quite high. However, as with the other sections, there is no one particular benchmark that applicants must meet.
What are Purdue’s ACT requirements?
Purdue University does not currently maintain a test-optional policy. This means that the admissions committee expects applicants to submit SAT or ACT scores. However, this is not a hard requirement in the event of unexpected circumstances. In such cases, applications can be submitted without test scores via the Common App.
Applicants may self-report their ACT scores on their applications. However, if admitted and accepting an offer, official scores must be provided directly from the testing organization. The writing section of the ACT is not required.
More details about Purdue ACT requirements can be found on their Freshman Admission Criteria webpage.
What percent of Purdue applicants submit the ACT?
Among students admitted to Purdue, 29% submitted ACT scores, and 67% submitted SAT scores. Moreover, roughly 4% did not submit any standardized test scores. These statistics show that the SAT remains a popular choice among Purdue applicants, but there is no preference for one test over the other. In addition, the low percentage of students who did not submit standardized test scores evidences that it is only in exceptional circumstances that students are permitted to go test-optional.
Should I go test-optional?
Purdue generally expects applicants to submit standardized test scores, but they allow for exceptions in certain cases. Therefore, unless you are in a unique situation, you should submit a standardized test score. In order to make this decision, you should discuss with your high school counselor or other trusted adults in addition to considering other schools with more flexible test-optional policies.
In summary, submitting a SAT or ACT score can help an applicant’s chances for admission to Purdue. We recommend that any student who has the means to do so should take the SAT or ACT if applying to Purdue.
Does Purdue superscore the ACT?
Purdue allows applicants to report the best scores from across different tests, effectively permitting you to create your own superscore. This policy enables students to showcase their highest performance across multiple test dates.
What’s a good ACT score for Purdue University?
Purdue does not have specific ACT score cutoffs, but most admitted students have high scores when compared to the national averages. In addition, students who are not native English speakers are generally expected to achieve a 26 or higher on their ACT English section. Read more about the requirements for non-native English speakers here.
In addition, given that 75% of all students admitted to Purdue who submitted the ACT achieved a composite 27 or higher, this seems to be a good baseline for an admissible score at Purdue.
In addition, the statistics above show that the average score is around 31. Thus, aiming for a score at or above this level would be beneficial. Moreover, the upper 25% of Purdue students scored 34 or higher. As expected, a “good” ACT score for Purdue would be relatively high.
| Section | 25th | 50th | 75th |
|---|---|---|---|
| Composite | 27 | 31 | 34 |
| English | 25 | 31 | 35 |
| Math | 26 | 30 | 34 |
Can I get into Purdue with a low ACT?
Getting into Purdue with a low ACT score is difficult but possible. This is especially the case if your other application components are strong. While the lower composite quartile ACT score at Purdue is 27, applicants with scores below this range can still gain admission if they demonstrate strong academic performance and extracurricular involvement. Remember, 25% of students admitted to Purdue achieved a 27 or below on their SAT.
In other words, applicants who demonstrate strong academic and extracurricular performance can stand out in other ways. A student with a below-average score who demonstrates leadership and initiative through a community service project may be judged more favorably than an applicant with an above-average score who doesn’t demonstrate initiative outside of studying and testing.
Therefore, while scores are important, they are not the only thing an upcoming college applicant should devote their time to. Extracurricular passions and projects, as well as coursework and college essays, are just as important as the ACT, if not more so.
When should I take the ACT for Purdue University?
For students planning to submit applications during their senior year, the best time to take the ACT is generally during the spring of their junior year. This is also the time of year that Purdue’s admissions department recommends.
In addition, for those applying for Early Action (EA) and seeking scholarship consideration, the November 1 deadline is crucial. Taking the ACT in the spring of junior year allows time for retakes if needed.
What is Purdue’s ACT code?
Purdue’s ACT code for submitting official test scores is 1230.
Purdue expects applicants to submit ACT or SAT test scores, and the standards for those who do choose to submit scores are still quite high. Ultimately, the decision of whether to take and submit exam scores is a personal decision to be evaluated in the context of an applicant’s circumstances and priorities. If you are considering the SAT instead, be sure to check out our Purdue SAT Breakdown!
