So I took the October 22 ACT for the first time and it went so badly that I did not send the score to any colleges, but with my results today I am wondering if I should. I felt very good about the beginning of the test, especially the writing, but my brain died as I went along, and I randomly bubbled in at least half the questions for the science section. By the end, I couldn’t comprehend a single sentence I read and was falling asleep.
My results came in today with a composite:30 E:36 M:34 R:31 S:20.
Is this worth even considering sending to colleges? I need to make a decision about this probably today, as it is likely already too late to send scores.
Background infos:
I took the 1600 SAT 3 times, getting a 1390 twice with a superscore of 1410 (R&W:720, M:690). I have already sent both 1390s to all of the schools to which I’m applying/have applied, unless I decide later to apply to WUSTL or another safety school.
I have taken no SAT subject tests and no AP science tests.
I am aiming for BU and Northeastern’s presidential scholarships and their respective honors colleges (December 1 deadlines). I did EA for Northeastern, but they still accept scores until December 1. There’s another student at my school who is much more Ivy League material (higher scores and GPA) than me with very similar classes, ECs and interests and is also applying for BU’s scholarships, so I think my competition will be stiff.
I am applying to CU Boulder and likely another safety school for scholarships for RD deadlines by January.
Also I’m new to CC and I apologize if this is not the right place to post this.
Thanks!
I would send them - you have elite English and Math scores and some colleges consider them more than the other sections. You could sign up and take it again and concentrate on improving your Science score for schools that superscore the ACT. If you are deferred for NE then send your improved scores if that happens.
Your SAT superscore of 1410 is marginally better than your composite 30. Only very marginally though. The ACT 20 on the sci section is a big anchor dragging your score down, I am sorry to say. The 30 is marginally better than 1390. On the whole, your ACT and SAT are really similar. It confirms that you are consistently at the same level with both tests. However, your english, reading and math scores are excellent, and they do care about those scores. Did you do the essay? Check to see if it was required, otherwise it might be a moot point.
You will be fine… A 30 composite is 95th percentile (it’s a really good score!)
Dolemite, if I am deferred that’s a great idea but I don’t know if it’s worth it to retake just for one or two schools. Lindagaf, I did not do the essay. Thanks for the responses. I am going to consult some teachers, but it seems like sending them won’t hurt then?
A lot of people report much lower scores on the science section than the other 3. As @lindagaf said, your ACT composite and SAT scores are really similar in % terms. Sending the ACT probably wouldn’t hurt but I don’t know if it would help either. However, if you wanted to try the ACT one more time in December and focus your prep on the science section, you might raise your composite enough to boost your overall admissions chances. Good luck!
If you didn’t do the essay, you really need to see if your colleges require it. In your shoes, I would take it again. Seems you could improve significantly on the science section.
Honestly, the first time I ever took the science test, I took it blind and got 21. Nowadays, I actually teach it. The sci test is all about looking at the graphs and interpreting data. You can’t spend time dwelling on the passages. Hone in on the data the questions are asking you to look at. There are a lot of resources to improve your score. You seems to be a lot smarter than me, seriously, so I reckon with a little practice you could get that score up to the high 20s and have a much more competitive composite to submit. Pay the late fee and go for it. Good luck.
I see you mentioned WUSTL. They superscore. Take another stab at the ACT if you want to apply to a bunch of superscoring schools like Northeastern.
A 29 in science would bring your composite to a 33
@Lindagaf I took the optional essay component on two of my SATs, one of which has been sent to all colleges (none require all scores as far as I could find). None of these colleges even state that they require the optional essay anyway.