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Information Brief 2013-19

English Courses Taken and ACT College Readiness Benchmark Performance in English

As part of a core curriculum, ACT recommends that students complete four or more years of English courses. Ninety-four percent of 2012 ACT-tested high school graduates took at least four years of English.

Students who completed at least four years of English coursework were more likely to meet the ACT College Readiness Benchmark in English compared to those who completed less than four years of English. Seventy-three percent of students who completed four or more years of English courses and 67% of students who completed four years of English met the English Benchmark. Only 41% of students who completed fewer than four years of English met the English Benchmark.

Percent Meeting the English Benchmark by English Courses Taken

Years of English CoursesStudents Meeting English Benchmark
More than 4 years73%
4 years67%
Less than 4 years41%
No years reported40%

Note: Data are based on 1,666,017 ACT-tested 2012 high school graduates.


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