The Condition of College & Career Readiness 2018 - Massachusetts Key Findings

Oct 9, 2026

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Performance and readiness results summarize the 2018 Massachusetts graduating class using ACT measures. The report presents participation rates and composite score averages, compares subgroup outcomes across 2014 and 2017, and highlights average English, math, reading, and science scores. It also reports benchmark attainment rates, including zero-benchmark shares and subject-specific readiness. Additional sections cover STEM interest and related score patterns, plus career readiness via WorkKeys and NCRC likelihood and cut scores.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages12

Reading Time30 min

AccessFree to download

Performance

English, Math, Reading, and Science Scores

ACT College Readiness Benchmarks

STEM

Career Readiness

The Condition of College & Career Readiness 2018 Massachusetts Key Findings Performance • In the 2018 Massachusetts graduating class, 18,219 graduates (25 percent) took the ACT test with a Composite score average of 25.5. This compares to 16,651 (23 percent) with an average of 24.3 in 2014. Nationally, 55% of 2018 graduates took the ACT with an average Composite score of 20.8. ~ There were 733 African American graduates from Massachusetts who took the ACT (4 percent) with an average Composite score of 20.6. This compares to 847 (4 percent) with an average of 21 .2, and 688 (4 percent) with an average of 19 .2, for the 2017 and 2014 graduating classes, respectively. ~ There were 12,149 White graduates from Massachusetts who took the ACT (67 percent) with an average Composite score of 25.7. This compares to 14,253 (68 percent) with an average of 25 .7, and 11,985 (72 percent) with an average of 24 . 6, for the 2017 and 2014 graduating classes, respectively. ~ There were 1,268 Hispanic graduates from Massachusetts who took the ACT (7 percent) with an average Composite score of 22.8. This compares to 1,382 (7 percent) with an average of 22 . 6, and 953 (6 percent) with an average of 21 .3, for the 2017 and 2014 graduating classes, respectively. ~ There were 1,652 Asian graduates from Massachusetts who took the ACT (9 percent) with an average Composite score of 27.3. This compares to 1,841 (9 percent) with an average of 26 . 9, and 1,204 (7 percent) with an average of 25.4, for the 2017 and 2014 graduating classes, respectively. • The 2018 Massachusetts graduating class average English score was 25.5. This compares to 25.4 and 24.0 in 2017 and 2014, respectively. • The 2018 Massachusetts graduating class average math score was 25.2. This compares to 25.3 and 24.6 in 2017 and 2014, respectively. • The 2018 Massachusetts graduating class average reading score was 25.9. This compares to 25.9 and 24.5 in 2017 and 2014, respectively. • The 2018 Massachusetts graduating class average science score was 24.7. This compares to 24.7 and 23.5 in 2017 and 2014, respectively. • In 2018, 56 percent of Massachusetts graduates met all four ACT College Readiness Benchmarks. This compares to 56 and 47 percent of 2017 and 2014 graduates, respectively. ~ In 2018, 8 percent of Massachusetts graduates met zero ACT College Readiness Benchmarks. This compares to 8 and 11 percent of 2017 and 2014 graduates, respectively. ~ In 2018, 88 percent of Massachusetts graduates met the ACT English College Readiness Benchmark. This compares to 88 and 85 percent of 2017 and 2014 graduates, respectively. • 2018 Massachusetts graduates taking more advanced English coursework demonstrated markedly higher average English scores than those who did not. In fact, 89 percent of Massachusetts 2018 graduates taking four or more years of English met the ACT English College Readiness Benchmark. This compares to 74 percent of students taking less than four years of English meeting the benchmark. © 2018 by ACT, Inc. All rights reserved. MR00878 [www.act.org/research](www.act.org/research) 1 Massachusetts The Condition of College & Career Readiness 2018 ~ In 2018, 74 percent of Massachusetts graduates met the ACT Math College Readiness Benchmark. This compares to 75 and 72 percent of 2017 and 2014 graduates, respectively. ~ In 2018, 74 percent of Massachusetts graduates met the ACT Reading College Readiness Benchmark. This compares to 75 and 65 percent of 2017 and 2014 graduates, respectively. ~ In 2018, 66 percent of Massachusetts graduates met the ACT Science College Readiness Benchmark. This compares to 65 and 58 percent of 2017 and 2014 graduates, respectively. • In 2018, 8 percent of Massachusetts graduates took the ACT with extended time. This compares to 7 and 5 percent of 2017 and 2014 graduates, respectively. • 75 percent of 2018 Massachusetts graduates were Proficient or Above Proficient in understanding complex texts. ST

FAQs

How does Massachusetts ACT composite performance in 2018 compare with 2014 and 2017?

In 2018, 18,219 graduates took the ACT with an average composite score of 25.5, compared with 24.3 in 2014. The report also provides national comparison showing 2018 average composite of 20.8 among those taking the test.

What do the benchmark results indicate about college readiness in Massachusetts in 2018?

In 2018, 56% of Massachusetts graduates met all four ACT College Readiness Benchmarks, and 8% met zero benchmarks. The report also gives subject-specific benchmark attainment for English, math, reading, and science, each compared with 2017 and 2014.

How is career readiness measured, and what does the report say about Massachusetts in 2018?

Career readiness is evaluated using the likelihood of earning the Silver ACT WorkKeys National Career Readiness Certificate or higher based on ACT composite score. In 2018, 17,269 Massachusetts graduates (95%) were likely to attain Silver or higher versus 73% nationally.

Oct 9, 2026

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