I recently took the ACT and my composite score was a 30, which I am slightly unhappy with; I was aiming for at least a 32. My section scores are as follows:
English - 36
Math - 31
Reading - 25
Science - 27
Writing - 10
The part that disappointed me most was my reading score. I got a 700 on the reading for the SAT, so my ACT score was extremely low for me. I felt very rushed during the test, and I really did not prepare for it at all. I have had more experience with the SAT and am more familiar with it. However, I don’t want to waste the good scores I got for the English and Writing sections, and the math is okay too. Is it worth taking the ACT again to try to raise my reading and science scores, or should I just stick to the SAT?
What’s your SAT score? What’s your timeline for applying to college? where are you planning on applying? A 30 ACT is the 95th percentile I believe so you should be fine for most schools other than the elites.
I got a 1380 on the SAT and I’m going to be taking it again in August. I’m a junior in high school, so I have to apply this fall. I can take the ACT in September if I want to. I want to apply to pretty selective schools like Boston College and Northeastern and try my shot at a couple Ivies. The rest of my resume is pretty solid, but my test scores are just lower than I want them to be.
Also— it’s not necessarily the 30 that bothers me, but the fact that I have a 36 in one section and a 25 in another. Will that stick out too much? Or should I focus mostly on my composite score?
I’m in the same boat. I also got a 30- 36 in reading, 35 in english, 24 in math, 25 in science. I wasn’t too disappointed in math, because I’m just naturally bad at it, but the 25 in science really sucked. What ivies are you applying to? How are your other aspects of your application- GPA? Extracurriculars? Community service? Do you have a strong essay with a clear message for admissions counselors? I’m also applying to a couple ivies and top tier schools including Union, Emory, Colombia and Barnard. Honestly, I feel like it’s up to you, but the one thing to always remember is that don’t be afraid of getting rejected!! These schools are not easy to get into, even for the best of students and the hardest of workers. I think you did a great job on both the SAT and ACT, and you should just put yourself out there no matter what!
The best way to improve reading is reading. Look for things like textbooks that have questions at the end of chapters. Read and then answer chapter questions. You want to read at your regular pace. Also watch vocabulary. If you dont know a word, look it up. Again, the best way to improve reading with your mind engaged. If your mind wanders, reread. If you fall asleep. read aloud or stand while reading at natural breaks in text, think quickly about what you have learned.
