<p>On the September ACT, I got a 35 composite and a score of 8 on the essay. I guess my question is how much does the essay score matter? Enough to warrant me taking it again in October? I just can't figure out why this particular section of the test is important..after all, can't colleges assess my ability to write based on my admissions essay? I know that my composite score is fine, but since I'm applying to some top colleges, should I retake the ACT solely because of my essay score?</p>
<p>I got a superscore 33 but 8 essay…
I’m wondering the same thing lol
I think i’m gonna take it again in october though</p>
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<p>The SAT doesn’t have an optional writing section. So if a college/university accepted an ACT without a writing portion, but also considered SATs, would the comparisons be fair?</p>
<p>Personally, I think it’s stupid and overkill to test how well someone can write an essay in thirty minutes–it’s totally impractical.</p>
<p>Lol nice, I got a 35 composite along with an 8 essay as well. I feel like the essay grading on the ACT is so random >_< But anyways, I don’t really think it’s worth it to take it again just to improve the essay score, but it’s up to you.</p>
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<p>Your done, congrats. I think an 8 is like the 84th percentile, and a 7 is the 49th percentile, a 9 is in the 93rd percentile. That means 35% of the ACT writing scores are 8. There are two graders for each essay. A score of 4 is = nothing wrong. Most graders who find nothing wrong give an 4. Two 4’s gets you an 8. It’s really hard to get much higher. </p>
<p>On the other hand, the 35 is really in the stratosphere.</p>
<p>I’m in your exact position - 35 composite, 8 essay. I’ve been told that colleges don’t even look at the ACT Essay score - it’s kind of like the SAT Writing section. I’m really not worrying about taking it again, so if I were you, I wouldn’t. You have a great composite score, and the essay is only a 30 minute writing period. Sleep in that October test day. Just write a good essay, and don’t worry too much. I’ve briefly considered trying to improve my essay score, and then I realized it would not be worth the time at all!</p>
<p>Weird, seems to be a whole group of 35 composites and 8 essays! I was just so wiped by the end of the test that I didn’t really put much effort into the essay, but since it doesn’t affect the composite, I don’t care :).</p>
<p>Weird grading this time around. My son got a 36 composite and an 8 essay. In June he got an 11 on his essay.</p>
<p>^ I don’t think it was “weird” grading. I got a 11 in June, 12 for the September one.</p>
<p>I also got an 8 essay (32 composite). This is gross, but my essay prob wasnt very good, I was very tired at that point.</p>
<p>I got an 11 essay and expected it. PR was helpful for the essay.</p>
<p>However, you could say I’m in a worse position… the essay doesn’t mean crap…</p>
<p>You should probably consider retaking it. I had a similar situation with a great composite but a 7 on the essay from my first try. I called a couple of my schools kind of anonymously to talk to the adcoms about how much they look at the writing/essay scores. After those calls I decided to retake it last month. I got the same composite but a better essay score, so it turned out well.</p>
<p>^^ Bad advice. Don’t retake an 8 essay. I got a 9 essay with a 35 comp and I’m very happy. You have better things to do on a Saturday than worry about a few essay points when the rest of your test is solid</p>
<p>Yeah, don’t worry about an 8 essay.
I got a 34 comp w/ a 9 essay (September ACT). In all honesty, your 35 is impressive, and I doubt one or two points on your essay is going to make a difference. While they do look at the writing, college admissions must know how subjective the essay grading can be.</p>