In practice tests this summer, D was doing better on the ACT than the SAT. She is a junior and took the ACT for the first time in October and got a 35 (which seems to translate to a ~2330-2350 on the SAT).
Given that score, is there any reason to bother to try to retake the ACT, or to take the SAT? Will highly selective colleges (Ivies, Duke, Chicago, Hopkins, etc.) care much about the difference between a 35 and 36?
It would be a big weight off her shoulders to stop studying for these things and move onto other areas.
There is absolutely no point in your daughter taking another ACT/SAT. Her score is extremely impressive and every college in the country will be satisfied with a 35 ACT.
I see no benefit to retaking the ACT or trying the SAT. It’s a great score! The time and energy (and stress) needed to try to get a “perfect” score could be better spent preparing for subject tests or just enjoying her EC’s and coursework. (So awesome for her!)
Assuming that the ACT was with writing, it is hard to imagine a scenario where a 36 instead of 35 would matter. Perhaps it could for admission or scholarships at much less selective schools that admit by formula, but if she has a good GPA, she is probably well above those thresholds anyway. If she made National Merit Semifinalist on the PSAT, she may need to take the SAT Reasoning to “confirm” it to get to Finalist.
She should check if any of her prospective colleges want SAT Subject tests. If so, she should consider scheduling them for the end of junior year as she is completing the relevant course.
I can give you a good reason why not to take the SAT given your daughter’s outstanding score on the ACT. Last year my D took the ACT twice scoring a 35 and a 36. Her 35 was without writing and the 36 with writing. There are many schools that require the ACT Plus Writing so her 35 was a nice score but of little use at many schools. Earlier she had taken the SAT twice scoring only 1980 and 2080. There are some schools that will require submission of all test scores. Now everything you read from colleges says that they will build the strongest case possible for you based on your strongest test scores. However, if two students are applying and they both have very high ACT scores but one also has good but not great SAT scores, I think the student also submitting SAT scores is at a disadvantage. I have not directly taken part in the admissions review process so perhaps I’m wrong, but human nature would lead me to believe that your D is better off at this point focusing on essays. Statistically, there is essentially no difference between 34, 35, or 36 - the admissions decision will be made based on other factors
Thanks everyone. She did take the ACT with writing, but hasn’t gotten her writing scores yet. If the writing score is in the same ballpark, she will be relieved to know she doesn’t have to take another test.
Are you serious? Who in their right mind would take another standardized test after a 35?? This is what’s wrong with our over-stressed, over-involved parents today. CHILL OUT PARENTS! I
I totally agree with @hebegebe. Heck, even if you scored a 33 or 34 it probably isn’t worth retaking. There’s a reason that many of the best schools in the country have ACT 25th to 75th percentile ranges of 31-34, NOT 35-36. Focus on other parts of the application; actually you shouldn’t. Your daughter should.
Don’t retake with a 35–but taking the SAT is not a bad idea. I scored a 35 on the ACT and then got a perfect score on the SAT. I guess I would recommend it if your daughter took and did well on the PSAT.
Unless the SAT Reasoning is needed for National Merit Semifinalist->Finalist purposes, it seems not worth the bother to take it after a 35 on ACT with writing.
