ACT Scores for Gwinnett students continue to be higher than both state and national scores. Students in the Class of 2021, who took the ACT during the time they were in 10th to 12th grade, showed an increase over the Class of 2020’s ACT scores, with a mean composite score of 23.7, up from 23.0. Georgia’s public-school students had a score of 22.6, up from 21.7 the prior year. Nationally, student scores on the ACT dropped slightly to 20.3 from 20.6. In addition to an overall higher composite score, Gwinnett students showed increased scores in each of the subject areas. 

The ACT test assesses high school students’ general educational development and their ability to successfully complete college-level work. The four skill areas that are covered with multiple choice tests are:  English, mathematics, reading, and science. An optional writing test measures skill in planning and writing a short essay.

Class of 2021 ACT Scores
	National	Georgia	GCPS	2020 to 2021 GCPS Increase
English	19.6	22.1	22.9	+0.5
Mathematics	19.9	21.9	23.6	+0.8
Reading	20.9	23.4	24.1	+0.7
Science	20.4	22.4	23.7	+0.8
Composite	20.3	22.6	23.7	+0.7

ACT participation continued to be down in 2021 during the pandemic. In Gwinnett, 2,082 students participated in the ACT, down from 3,996 students in the Class of 2020. 

Schools showing increases in this year’s ACT scores over the 2020 scores include Berkmar, Central Gwinnett, Collins Hill, Dacula, Grayson, Lanier, Mountain View, Norcross, North Gwinnett, Peachtree Ridge, Shiloh, and South Gwinnett. Scores at two other schools—Gwinnett School of Mathematics, Science and Technology (GSMST) and Parkview—remained constant. Gwinnett school-by-school scores are found at the end of this release. 

The ACT is a test used by colleges and universities to predict how well students will perform at the post-secondary level. Students are encouraged to take the ACT as well as the SAT college admission exam to provide a broad range of information for college admissions counselors.