Hi guys. So I took the ACT for the first time. I was planning on using this test just to get an idea and retake it, because I only prepared for ~4hrs. On the actual test, I ran out of time on the the last article for reading and science, and the last 5-6 math questions.
However, i got a 29, and don’t know if re-taking is worth it because I’ll only be slightly doing better on the math section and somewhat better on the science. My reading skills suck in general, so if I retake I’ll probably run out of time again.
Individual scores are as follows:
Eng- 34
Math- 29
Read- 24
Sci- 29
*Writing is not scored yet.
So what do you guys suggest? Retake or stick with a 29? Thx.
I would retake if: 1) you are interested in schools that have higher average ACT scores than yours and 2) you will buckle down and study hard for the exam.
Study, practise, and of course retake. Do lots of practise test, time is a strategy you can work on. Cold testing is a foolish approach. If you get a 29 with no actual effort, imagine what you get with work?
As you are in UC land, you need to do everything you can to optimize your application. Look up some strategies. Ask what your competition looks like.
If you prepare the same way, don’t expect wildly different results. Guess it will come down to how much you want (1) – nobody can/should decide but you.
You might consider trying the SAT, as you have more time per question on the SAT relative to the ACT. All the above answers still apply—-only needed if you want to go to schools where you need a higher score than 29 and preparation and timed practice tests a must.
If you’ve never done (2) in your life, why would you want to go to a school that would require it? Maybe you should look for schools where you would be above 75% and then go and enjoy yourself while you get a degree. I’m serious. Different strokes for different folks. A degree from a solid state school will get most non-driven people where they want to go.
I know too many people who have gone to a top school and flunked out because they did not want to match the grind that their peers were willing to do. They wanted the social life as priority number one, academics no more challenging than high school. You only live once and quality of life, year by year, is important. Work ethic is a big part of “fit.”
To thine own self be true. And don’t waste your parents’ hard-earned money.
Rereading my post above, it comes off a little “judgy”–not meant to be. Seriously I think students should be looking for schools where they will be successful and happy. On May 1st it’s great to wear a prestigious t-shirt, but not so great if you barely got in by massaging the scores and can’t/don’t want to keep up with the challenges of a “reach” school. Others are invigorated by extreme challenge.
@bobo44 Yea I guess I don’t want Ivy League vigor for myself, but maybe a bit more than state. If not, I really don’t have a problem as long as I get a scholarship to a good college that has the majors I’m looking for.
@happy1 With the above being said, I also know there’s little point of taking it with no change. So I will prepare better for it. When I retake it somewhere towards the start of next year, I will see how much better I did and maybe post it here if I improve by 3 or more points.
@labegg Okay so what about a writing score. What should I aim for that? 10?
On writing 9 is fine. You can look up the percentile–it’s pretty good. And most schools don’t seem to give it much weight. It is a very artificial writing assignment coming after a long high-pressure test. Whew!
