ACT: Retake or give up?

Test Preparation
1

<p>I had decent, above average test scores from my sophomore year. I took the ACT twice and the SAT once, all times without studying. What's done is done, but I need to know where to go from here. I already have the scholarship cap at my backups and safeties, all that's left is trying to get in to my dreams - Specifically MIT but I'm also a realistic enough person not to get my hopes up.</p>

<p>I took the PSAT and actually tried, raising my score from sophomore to junior year by a solid 51 points including 80 math. Clearly applying myself is remarkably helpful. who would've thought?</p>

<p>Anyway, I just got my third ACT back (only studied for science) and I was pretty happy with it - 34 (35E,36M,32R,34S). I just feel like the reading drags me down considerably in college admissions: "Hey I can do math and grammar, because I understand formulas, but I lack the ability to think critically." If I put in the effort I did for PSAT I'm sure I could at least get the reading to a 34, and maybe the science to a 36. The English would be chance for how well I do in 33-36 range, but I'm confident in my repeatability in the math.</p>

<p>4th time ACT worth for reading to go up 2 points? Assume money, time, and drive are not the limiting factors here, only how pitiful I would look and how okay I do now.</p>

2

<p>34 is good. I wouldn’t bother putting the time to try and raise it. From what I’ve read admins look at 34-36 as about the same. </p>

3

<p>Unless you want to go for a 36 composite, I don’t think there’s any need to retake just to improve your reading. A 32 reading doesn’t show that you lack the ability to think critically…</p>

4

<p>It’s fine. At a certain point, a 34 ACT is honestly not worth the time and energy to raise to a 36. I suggest you focus on your ECs and try to win some awards or accomplishments to update your college admissions officer on - this is something that will actually help a lot more than test scores, especially given the high level of competitiveness for MIT. Once you’ve achieved some indication of qualification with your standardized test scores, admissions committees turn to your ECs for the final word on who gets accepted or rejected.</p>