ACT-Retake? Low Science Section

<p>I have a 32 on the ACT (35 M, 34, R, 32, Eng, 25 Sci). My question to everyone is should I retake the ACT again if I want to get into a Harvard/Stanford/Yale or high end BS/MD program (e.g. Boston U)? Even though my overall score is relatively low, my more critical subscores or higher. In my opinion, you will never apply the science ACT to real life, so do you think college admissions officers can overlook my low science score and focus on my other higher subscores?</p>

<p>Oh yeah I Asian too (clearly by my name), but I still carry the stereotypical high math score! Does this affect my chances?</p>

<p>If you have any indication that you can do better, I think you should – especially if you think you might want to do a BS/MD program. A 25 would serve as a major red flag. If, however, you’ve already taken the ACT 3-4 times, then I’d say no. Otherwise, YES, re-take it.</p>

<p>BTW: you need to alter your perspective of “ACT science never applicable to real life” – that won’t get you very far considering you’re thinking of eventually being a physician. As a matter of fact, consider it completely faulty thinking that will doom any chance of a STEM degree/career</p>

<p>Success in science can fluctuate more than other subjects. I would suggest you take the ACT late in your junior year so that you have covered the basics in biology, chemistry and physics. My son is good in science and had a 27 and a 34 on the ACT science section. He was well prepped for both exams, but was more comfortable with the material tested in the latter exam. My son also went straight to the questions.</p>

<p>If you’ve taken it several times, I’ve heard others suggest doing the following 1) graph passages first 2) all but one of the research/experiments 3) conflicting scientists 4) remaining (and most difficult) research/experiment passage. </p>

<p>@Tw6E4 I’ve already taken the ACT 3 times… so should I stop? For the record, I do other science related activities (e.g. research). I think this would help set off the low science score right?</p>

<p>Who’s to say? And HS level “research” runs the gamut from lab grunt to formulating/writing papers. Top grades in you science class grades, any AP/honors level classes may offset the 25 somewhat. But like I said before, it’s a MAJOR red flag to colleges that a science field isn’t your forte. Especially super selective schools like you’ve cited. HYS will be rejecting by the tons, people who are scoring 35/36 in that section who are intent on majoring in sciences. Your 25, in that context, is a dealbreaker.</p>

<p>Like slk said, if you’re still a Junior, taking it one more time next year might give you a jump. </p>

<p>Also, if standardized test taking in sciences is giving you fits now, consider the reality of something looming in your future, the MCAT. </p>

<p>@T26E4 What minimum score would you suggest be sufficient in the Science Section? I know 35 and 36’s are great, but what is a reasonable goal to shoot for?</p>

<p>I would retake if I were you. Really work on your reading comprehension and speed, that’s the trick to science. Read a fun novel or two (Star Wars, LOTR, Harry Potter, etc) that will help you a lot more than grinding your head against the rock of a copious amount of practice tests. </p>

<p>For Science try to get at least a 32. </p>

<p>The science section is really closer to the reading section then it is the math. </p>

<p>A good tip is not to over think the problems and read the questions/answers before referencing the graphs.</p>

<p>I remember when I took the science section about 1/3 of the way through, I looked at my watch and the number of questions left. I realized that at my current pace I was not going to finish. I decided to go for a “Fast and Furious” approach, reading very fast and cursory, ignoring the graphs and going straight for the questions/answers. I did finish, although I had to work right up until the proctor called time. I actually thought about having my test cancelled because I thought I did so badly. I was like “Gee, I’d be lucky to get a 25 on that Science”. </p>

<p>A couple weeks later I got my scores back. I didn’t even want to see the science. It was a 35. Go figure. </p>

<p>thanks! @Mandalorian</p>

<p>Just beware that Stanford and Yale are not score choice schools so you have to submit all scores. Also, they do not superscore the ACT. Is your 32 an actual composite score, or is it a superscore?</p>

<p>@cba 32 is my actual composite for the one sitting</p>

<p>I am perplexed. You have already taken the ACT three times and your science score is still a 25, and yet you are a science kid? Science is the one part that is more about reading and evaluating information (less about actual science) but typically with a lot of practice, someone who has 32-34 in other areas should be able to raise that score. My advice to other kids out there reading this – do not use the official SAT or ACT as “practice tests.” Set a timer at home and do a practice test, and then correct it. Do this over and over and over again. My concern is that taking the ACT FOUR times could really be seen as a negative by colleges, but your 25 is pulling your overall composite way way down. Unlike the SAT where colleges do look at the individual tests (CR, Math, Writing) a bit more, the ACT truly is more of a composite. And a 32 is great for many schools but not the Ivys that you list. I think that if you have these schools as your dream schools, and you know for a fact that you would be happy at them, then you should practice the science portion of that test at least FIVE times AT HOME until your corrected test is at least a 30 … then take the official ACT one last time.</p>

<p>@momof2back2back I have the right to think of myself as a science kid if i so choose to. My science section is one flaw that I’ll just have to fix with practice. It does not mean I am not a science kid.</p>