Today on the ACT, the entire test was going smooth until we got to the writing test. I paced myself as I had practiced with the essay, when all of the sudden, the proctored called we had 5 minutes left. I looked down at my watch, and it said I was at 30 minutes, not 35. SO I start frantically trying to finish the essay, and keep in mind at this point I still hand’t addressed one of the viewpoints or even started a counterargument. I quickly try to fit those in and then write half of a sentence in my makeshift conclusion when time is called. I went to the proctor after the test and asked him if he had cut the time short. He said no, and that he started his timer at 11:55 and ended it at 12:35, but that wasn’t close to what I had on my watch. I went to the administrators for the test, and told them of the issue. What should I do now? The thing is, is that I felt really really really good about the other four sections of the test, and I had to sacrifice a lot of other extra-curricular stuff to make sure that I could make it to this ACT. Will my scores for the entire test be cancelled because of this 5 minute timing error on the essay section? If I don’t want my scores cancelled, should I just keep my mouth shut? I’m worried because I absolutely bombed the essay section because I was pacing myself for 40 minutes, not 35. Any suggestions on what I should do?
It’s unlikely that they would cancel your score, but there is no reason to open your mouth. You can’t cancel your essay separately, and you definitely don’t want to cancel your whole test date. Only about 10-15% of colleges are even requiring the ACT Writing, and those that do don’t place much emphasis on it.
Thank you for responding. Say a college doesn’t require writing then, but you submit your test scores with writing, will they even look at it if it’s not required?
Some colleges “consider” Writing and will look at it. It usually is only meaningful if it is at one of the extremes. It can be a plus factor if you get in the 30s. It might be a red flag if your composite is 35 and your Writing is 16. But most students fall in the mass middle. Negligible impact.
The Essay score is now on a 12 pt scale, not 36 anymore.