Illinois students had one of the highest composite ACT scores out of all 13 states that administer the test, the Illinois State Board of Education announced.
The class of 2015 tied Colorado for the highest average composite score, boasting a 20.7.
“Illinois has been a longtime leader in helping students realize their college potential by providing all 11th-graders access to college entrance exams,” State Superintendent of Education Tony Smith said in a statement.
Officials noted that 63 percent of Illinois’ graduating seniors had benchmark scores in English, 41 percent had benchmark scores in math and reading and 37 percent had benchmark scores in science.
A benchmark score indicates the student has a 50 percent chance of earning a B or higher or a 75 percent chance of getting a C or higher in the corresponding college course.
The state’s composite score, however, falls below the national average of 21, which is based primarily on scores of self-selected, college-bound students.
The ACT is scored on a scale of 1 to 36, with 36 being the highest possible score.
