36 composite and perfect subscores on ACT but 21 on Writing?

I recently took the February ACT and received a 36 composite score, as well as perfect subscores. However, I was very surprised to see that I had received a 21 on my Writing portion of the test. Should I retest?

Ask for a writing rescore since people have been complaining about low essay scores recently. If that really is your score I still wouldn’t take the test again. The composite is by far the most important and your essay score isn’t going to break a perfect showing on the ACT.

@dogbiscuits Don’t retest a 36 for writing! Get a rescore on the writing - the worst thing that can happen is you lose $50. How do you THINK you did on the writing? Did you feel it went well?

@chicago107 Thanks! I’ll do that then.
@suzyQ7 I know that it was weak, but I would never have guessed that it could be that weak.

If they rescore and it goes up even a point, you don’t have to pay the $50

Don’t retest! Just rescore.

I agree don’t retest - you can only do worse. Send in the writing score and have it rescored. But I don’t think it will hurt you and many colleges no longer require the writing part of the ACT or SAT.