3 Things To Know About ACT Section Retests

Test Preparation ACT Preparation
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"ACT INC., THE MAKERS OF the ACT college entrance exam, announced in October plans to drastically alter testing and scoring policies. Beginning September 2020, students will be able to retake sections of the test, superscore their results and sit for a digital version of the assessment.

The ACT’s sections are English, math, science and reading, with an optional 40-minute writing test. The new opportunity to retest in specific exam sections, rather than retaking the entire ACT, is a delightful change for many high school students. Section retests allow them to focus their energy on their weakest areas and may alleviate a considerable amount of test anxiety.

Students who are interested in ACT section retesting should know these three facts:

  • Section retests are available only in digital format.
  • Students can take up to three section retests per sitting over seven dates.
  • The cost and registration procedures are not known yet." ...

https://www.usnews.com/education/blogs/college-admissions-playbook/articles/2019-11-11/3-things-to-know-about-act-section-retests

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The problem with this is that not only are the section retests available only in digital format, but they have to be taken at an ACT test center. Trying to find one - and then one that would be available will cause lots of problems!

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Are there details on where the digital test can be taken? Prometrics, or is ACT setting up centers? They’re providing the computers for the test? I can see a logistical challenge.

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“Prometrics, or is ACT setting up centers? They’re providing the computers for the test? I can see a logistical challenge.”

Perhaps testing centers like Pearson will open or expand? I imagine that would increase the cost of taking the test, however.

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Besides the fact that the logistics are unclear, more importantly it is unclear how schools that don’t superscore will handle these, or if they will even be accepted.

Ready. Fire. Aim. I feel like that’s the approach ACT took on this one.

6

I noticed that it’s been two months since this was last updated…does anyone have any additional info? Thanks!

and yes, I totally agree with you @dadof4kids …I wonder if that will make the ACT less valuable than the SAT?

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I am interested if anyone knows more details on this as well. How much will it affect the hs class of 2021 college application process. I’m hoping my D will be done testing for ACT/SAT before Fall 2020. Will there be more pressure to be perfect by retesting in one section rather than leave it alone? Will the retest scores be added to particular test or stand alone? Example: If student takes ACT in September and decides to retest in math only–what happens with retest score? Does it replace original math score on ACT? Sent in addition to original score? What if the score is lower on retest? I realize some of these things are probably not determined, but I’m not quite getting how it will be used.

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Wondering if the writing may be done as a stand alone if someone took previous ACT without writing?

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I am also curious as to whether the writing portion can be taken separately even if it had not been taken earlier.