Hi! So I took the June ACT and just got my scores back.
I have a 34 composite score overall with a
35 in reading,
35 in writing,
35 in science,
but a 29 in math.
My ELA score (scored 10, 10, 11 on essay for an avg of 10) is a 33 and my stem score is a 31. I’m 99% nationally overall but 97% in New Jersey.
I am scared about what colleges will think of my math score, and since I’m aiming for top schools, I have no idea about what this will do to my chances of being admitted. I also know that I want to go major in Environmental Science and/or English.
Should I retake the ACT and see if I can get my math score up to a 30? Or is it fine where it is now?
If you are applying to schools that require you to apply by major, and if you may apply for something STEM-y (like Environmental Science), you may want to try again. If not, you are probably fine.
BTW, if your school is the one that starts with an “S”, your college counseling is excellent and will be able to give you great guidance.
Do you know why you got a 29? Was it careless mistakes, a time issue or do you just struggle in math? Have you taken a math SAT2 yet and did you score over 700 for that? You realize that you will need to score a 33 in math and not slide in the other 3 sections to increase your composite score to a 35. How many times have you taken the ACT so far, if so what were the prior scores? How you answer these questions would affect how I would approach it.
I always have an issue with time and a few algebra questions. My math background isn’t the strongest, but I do well in school. I have not taken the SAT2 test and don’t plan on it. This was my second time (after 5 sats with math not going over 730) and my prior score was a 33 with 36 in writing, 34 in reading, 33 in science, and 28 in math
That sounds good then. I have always wanted to do something with Environmental Science: it’s less math-based (like physics or chem) and more conceptual. But I also have the credentials to be a strong liberal arts student, specifically with English. And yes I do go to that school, hopefully the college counselor will help!
If your math scores are consistent, then its time to stop testing. No one is perfect in everything and if you are not good at math you probably aren’t pursuing engineering or the like.
I don’t understand why you even took the ACT, unless your EBRW SAT was significantly lower than your math of 730? Math SAT of 730 is very good, equivalent to ACT math of 32.
Don’t test anymore, and only submit your SAT scores to the schools where you don’t have to submit all scores.
Even if you are aiming high for colleges that would be top-notch for your dual academic interests – Colby, Bowdoin, Middlebury, Hamilton, Pitzer – your current ACT score would be competitive.
Wasting a lot of time and energy. If you slip by 1 pt in your next ACT in any subject without improving by that much more in Math, your composite goes to a 33, and schools usually do not superscore ACT’s. That is a more likely outcome than keeping your scores the same and improving math to a 33:
Current composite totals = 134; 134/4 = 33.5
Minimum composite total to reach 35 = 34.5 * 4 = 138.