The MCPS Class of 2018 earned an average composite score of 25.1 (out of 36) on the ACT, outperforming their peers across the state (22.5) and the nation (20.8).

According to recently released data by ACT, Inc., 3,743 MCPS graduates took the ACT and outscored their state peers in each of the four subject areas: English, mathematics, reading and science. In examining the percentages of students ready for college-level coursework as determined by ACT, Inc., 82 percent of the Class of 2018 met the English composition benchmark of at least an 18 on the ACT English test.

Additionally, 66 percent met the college Algebra benchmark, 69 percent met the Social Science benchmark and 63 percent met the Biology benchmark.

According to MCPS data, 34.3 percent of graduates from the Class of 2018 took the ACT, a slight decrease of 5.3 percentage points over the previous year. Since 2014, ACT participation in MCPS has increased 4.8 percentage points.

ACT, Inc. reports that 54 percent of the Class of 2018 met all four college readiness benchmark scores. The benchmark scores established by ACT indicate a 50 percent chance of obtaining a B or higher or a 75 percent chance of earning a C or higher in the corresponding credit-bearing college course.

Scored on a 36-point scale, the ACT is designed to measure academic learning and identify student readiness for college and career. It focuses on skills and knowledge deemed important by high school teachers and instructors of first-year college courses.

Trend data (3 years) on ACT participation and performance is located on the MCPS Data Dashboard: https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/data/LAR-charts/ACT-Exam-Participation-and-Performance.html