ACT - Composite vs. subscore

Parents Forum
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<p>My dd, currently a junior, just received her scores from her first ACT. Her composite was a very respectable 33. :-) However, her math subscore was 28 (others were reading 34, science35, english 33). She has also taken the SAT once with a score of 2090 - CR 660, M 690, W 740. She is interested in premed, so wondering if it is advisable for her to retake the ACT to try and improve her math score? She has a 4.0 gpa (uw), and has yet to take any math or science SAT IIs or APs. If she scores well on those, might they help offset the lower ACT math score?</p>

<p>She's not particularly averse to taking the ACT test again at some point, but if she were to score lower on her second ACT attempt, would that present any significant problems?</p>

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<p>ACT allows score choice. That is when you sent ACT scores you can choose which sitting or sittings you want to send, unlike the SAT where you send your score and all your test results are sent.</p>

<p>So no downside for her to retake the ACT if she wants to.</p>

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<p>Thanks WOWM. My dd’s #1 choice school does indicate that ALL scores from all sittings must be sent, so I am not sure that we can choose to send only her best ACT score if she takes it more than once…</p>

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<p>The ACT has nothing to do with getting into medical school. It is only used for getting into colleges. Premed is an intention, not a major. The HS test scores, gpa, et al are ancient history (ie irrelevent) as far as medical schools are concerned. Her college record will count for medical and/or graduate school admissions.</p>

<p>You do not superscore the ACT by combining subscores from different test dates- schools will look at a complete test date’s scores. Do not worry about the math score on her ACT. Since this is the fall of her junior year she may want to repeat one or both of her tests at the end of junior year or the beginning of senior year.</p>

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<p>What is the school? From my research, many schools value subscores more than composite.</p>

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<p>Thanks wis – perhaps I was not clear, or caused confusion by my use of the word “premed.” I do realize that premed is not a major, and just used the term to quickly indicate that my dd’s eventual goal is to go on to medical school. </p>

<p>Anonymous, her #1 school is actually in Canada, though she is also very interested in some of the UC campuses – UCSD, and UCLA and UCB (though UCLA and UCB may be a bit of a reach!).</p>

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<p>I am not too sure about those schools. Sorry.</p>

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<p>ACT does not allow score choice ([ACT</a> FAQ : Can I send my Writing Test score without sending my multiple-choice scores?](<a href=“http://www.actstudent.org/faq/answers/writingonly.html]ACT”>http://www.actstudent.org/faq/answers/writingonly.html)), the SAT does (and not for schools that require all scores to be sent). There are some schools that superscore the ACT [Colleges</a> that super score ACT | College Admissions Counseling](<a href=“http://www.collegeadmissionspartners.com/college-testing/colleges-superscore-act/]Colleges”>Colleges that superscore the ACT - BS/MD Admissions by College Admissions Partners).</p>