ACT score sadness: How should I counsel my son?

Parents Forum
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<p>Someone asked previously and I don't think I saw a reply: Why isn't he taking the SAT? There is no science section on the SAT. The time pressure isn't quite a severe. </p>

<p>While most kids do about the same on both tests, a few do dramatically better on one or the other. Our neighbor's son got a 34 on the ACT and a 1950 on the SAT. The ACT played to his strengths. </p>

<p>Also, take the tests more than once. Many kids see bit changes in their scores over the course of a year-partly practice, partly maturity, and partly just luck.</p>

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<p>College</a> Search - Middlebury College - Midd - SAT®, AP®, CLEP®</p>

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<p>"I don't understand Dad. Science is my best subject." This is what my D said when she received scores very much like OP's S. Well, the answer is that the science portion of the ACT isn't science but rather interpretation of data (or as others have described it, science comprehension). Like curmudgeon's D mine retook the ACT and scored 7 points higher on the science portion. So don't overlook the value of a re-take. Good luck.</p>

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<p>Take the SAT! "Take the ACT" is always the first on threads where low SAT scores are the issue. Why not vice versa? Do we all subconsciously think of the ACT as the backup test?</p>

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<p>Do we all subconsciously think of the ACT as the backup test?</p>

<p>Nope. It's just when the outlier is Science oft times it's just what is being discussed here. I am a proponent of taking both. Had it been any other section I may have led with take the SAT. ;)</p>

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<p>I would also suggest trying the SAT. I had the same ACT score as your son, but a 2300 SAT score. I took both tests only once.</p>

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<p>He should look at the other very fine SAT optional schools (Bates, Bowdoin, Hamilton) as well as the above selections.</p>

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<p>^^ concur with cur. The so-called science segment is rather easy to prep for. Just start doing one ~10 minute a passage a day, but do it in 8 minutes or less.</p>

<p>No reason not to try SAT as well, but instead of paying CB, borrow a friend's book and take the test at home to see what score might be possible. [Since SAT does not allow score choice, no use taking an official test, scoring much lower than the equivalent ACT, and having that in the admissions file -- assumes Subject Tests are required.]</p>

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<p>I am sorry your son will be disappointed with his score. I agree with an earlier poster: make what your son is good at STAND OUT. I would also work to bring up the science subtest using the methods other CCers have mentioned.</p>

<p>Personal anecdote: My daughter got a 34 (higher if superscored) on the ACT and was only admitted to 3/7 schools, two of which were safeties. None were Ivy or Stanford, MIT, but did include UChicago and Northwestern where she was rejected and waitlisted, respectively. Obviously a good ACT score is not enough. Incidentally, her science score went DOWN the second time she took the test, yet scored a 5 on her AP Biology Exam, and a 760 on her SAT II Biology exam (her lowest SAT II). Currently she is earning the top grade in her AP Physics class so it's clear the ACT science section is not testing science knowledge but something else, as Mr. Curmudgeon mentioned. Find the trick to that, and it sounds like his score will go up. </p>

<p>There are schools that do not require standardized test scores anymore, or their submission is optional. Still, a score of 29 is nothing to sneeze at! Great job for the first try!</p>

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<p>^^ A locall college counselor likes to say: "A great test score will not get you in, but a low test score can keep you out." IMO, its always better to at least aim at the median, so the adcom doesn't think in the back of his/he mind..."if I push for admittance, our published stats will go down." Obovously not good for ranking, press, or alumni donations.</p>

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<p>Unless you really think his frustration/exhaustion/attitude will make a second sitting totally useless, encourage him to try just one more time. So many kids take it three or four times! Getting to a 30 IS nice, both psychologically and because many merit awards go up after 30.</p>

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<p>Most people on this thread are focusing on how/whether to improve the test scores. Nothing wrong with that.</p>

<p>I would like to focus on the second part of the question (I know others have touched on this as well, but it will be my focus).</p>

<p>I went through something quite similar to the OP with my son, who is also not a good standardized tester. On the afternoon of early senior year that everyone was receiving their SAT scores, he called me at home to check on them for him. He was quite certain his would be great, as he had taken once as a junior when the scores were just under his target and he expected improvement. Well, he went up a tiny smidge in CR and down a tiny smidge in his strength (Math). The "down" in his voice was palpable when I told him the scores. I know I felt just as the OP did/does upon receiving her son's email.</p>

<p>My first thought on how to counsel OP son is, at this point, not at all. Let him get over his disappointment without making it a focus. Don't overpraise him for all that is wonderful about him - at this point - nor try to "lift him up" from the score disappointment. Let it sit. He needs to adjust, realize that it is not the end of the world and then make a plan. And he probably will, all on his own. If he hasn't brought this up in the next week or so, you can do it at that time. Meanwhile, make his favorite food, or whatever else might lift his spirits without making it about " the score."</p>

<p>My son decided to do some real test prep. However, I have to say that he did not put his heart and soul into it. He did what his mentor advised, practiced, studied <em>to a point.</em> As a result, his scores went up JUST that tad to get him over his desired threshhold. I'm sure he could have done much better if he'd really really dedicated himself. But it wasn't enough of a priority and I can't fault him for that. So, if your son wants to re-take, he'll probably do better. Maybe a lot better, depending. Which will be wonderful. But if he does not do better, he may be like my son or mini's D - testing just doesn't reflect what they can do.</p>

<p>My son is now at a top University, just under the HYPSM level. His scores (we think) kept him out of Stanford - his only rejection. He was over that rejection inside of 15 minutes, because he had a number of schools he really really really loved and they were all acceptances.</p>

<p>So, don't overreact. There are numerous wonderful top schools where he can garner acceptances. Including his current targets - no guarantees, but his test scores do not preclude him - just as they didn't preclude calmom's D, mini's D or my son. Key is, as some others have said, for him to build his applications around his strengths - with or without improved scores.
Wouldn't hurt to identify some of the wonderful test-optional schools (Bates?) as well as consider carefully whether to submit scores (or which scores to submit) to schools such as Middlebury, based on their policies.</p>

<p>Northstarmom pointed out to me on these boards some while back that our kids who suffer various disappointments in (and before) this process have gained something important. Some of those who head off to college as "golden" kids, where everything has always gone just as planned, where they have always been on top, are lacking the life experience of bouncing back, having that resilience to make course corrections, rise above disappointments. Ours, who have worked through these bumps, have a leg up on the adjustment to college and the " real world."</p>

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<p>Some other people have already mentioned the fact that the science isn't really science. Realizing that fact, and that science is the last test of the morning are the two keys to doing well. It's late, students are tired, they want to go home, they're bored, etc, and so they can't concentrate. It's really important that they prepare properly so that they keep their attention level up through the entire thing. </p>

<p>A couple tips from my days as a Kaplan instructor:</p>

<p>[ul]
[li] Obviously breakfast is a must. You need complex carbs and PROTEIN. A couple eggs, some sausage links, maybe peanut butter on whole grain toast. You don't want to overdo it though. We've all put ourselves in a food coma by eating too much, so it needs to be light.</p>[/li]
<p>[li] Caffeine is a no-no, unless it's just part of the normal routine. So unless he's usually drinking a soda with breakfast or one around 10:30am during a break at school, now is not the time to be adding it. If it is part of his normal routine, then by all means keep it.</p>[/li]
<p>[li] Gatorade is fine, it's isotonic to blood so it rehydrates without causing you to pee more, which is one benefit over water. The new G2 has less sugar, so it can avoid that sugar rush a little easier.</p>[/li]
<p>[li] Snacks for every break session can be a good idea. At least need one for the mid-way point. Granola, a peanut butter sandwich, or fruit are good options. A lot of the health companies like Kashi and ClifBar have some really good options, things with a significant amount of protein (some have 8, 10, even up to 15 grams of protein per serving). These are really good options too, I used several clifbars while taking the first step of USMLE (medical school boards exam) which is about an 8 hour test. </p>[/li]
<p>[li] If he's motivated enough, he can try to get some full length practice tests to take. If he takes them on the saturday mornings in the weeks leading into test day, it'll help his stamina. He needs to treat them exactly like the real thing, though, and it's not the greatest way to spend your saturday morning. I can't imagine that many HS boys would be interested. [/li][/ul]</p>

<p>Just some thoughts. I really think that his science score represents an area where he can make a lot of gains simply based on increased concentration and stamina.</p>

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<p>First, I'd advise trying the SAT because of the fact that there is no science section. After you decide which test was better for your son, he can do practice tests and study the questions he got wrong. The good thing about the ACT is that you don't have to report the scores. My son tried the SAT, but the ACT was more his style. He actually took the ACT 4 times and increased a total of 3 points.</p>

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<p>Hello, I was in the EXACT same situation last year. I earned a 29 composite, with science being my lowest at 25. English was my highest at 34.</p>

<p>I, too had my eyes set on selective schools, especially public Ivys (eg Michigan and UVA) that I would be applying to as an OOS student. In-state, my goals were Berkeley and UCLA, which also demand high scores.</p>

<p>I applied early action to Michigan and was admitted the first week of November. However, I decided the best thing to do would be to re-take the ACT one last time, to ensure that I had no regrets. </p>

<p>I re-took it in December and earned a 31 composite (with little studying), my science had raised to a 27, and I had earned a 36 English and 35 Eng/writing combined (11 on essay).</p>

<p>So, my advice is to not worry just yet! MOST people who re-take the ACT improve. The science is the easiest section to raise, because a lot of it is simply about understanding the type of Qs they ask, which can be easily accomplished by buying an ACT study guide (I suggest Kaplan or Princeton Review).</p>

<p>on top of that, work hard on those essays! I was admitted to all four of the schools mentioned above, and I'm positive that my essays made up for less-than-perfect scores at some of those universities (UVA in particular). I will be attending UCLA next year...as an English major!</p>

<p>Best of luck!</p>

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<p>Acing tests- students need to realize that even highly gifted students do not expect to ace these tests (ie perfect scores), some may but most won't. Do not redirect a student to test optional schools just because they didn't perform as well as they would like on tests, remember the 1/4 below rule. Do take both the SAT and ACT (I think the ACT being historically the Midwest choice made it the lesser test for the others who all automatically took the SAT). Remember the 21/500 or so is the average score for test takers, most of whom will go to a college. Near 30/700 is a very good score. This is a time when students with all A's through hard work/course selection find out where they stand compared to (almost, for nit pickers) all the students in all the high schools. For some it is a reality check that getting top grades doesn't mean they are as competitive as they thought, for others underachievement is discovered. That is where the value of these tests lies- in adding knowledge to where a student stands relative to others.</p>

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<p>Thank you all so much for your advice and encouragement. I am a single mom and he is my only child so sometimes we lack perspective in this house.</p>

<p>He bounced back quicker than I had expected (the 34 in English helped) and has decided to take the June test to see if he can improve the science score. He said he ran out of time and had to pretty much guess on the whole last section so as he sees it what he needs to do is take a lot of practice tests so that he can move through the questions more quickly.</p>

<p>In addition to the particular advice about the science section, I appreciated the observation that struggling to overcome some setbacks now will help our kids in the long run. My son has dealt with a few disappointments but his life has been more charmed than not. So it has helped me at least (I don't think he is ready to see it this way, though) to think that this sadness is a kind of growing pain.</p>

<p>Oh, and just to respond to the "Why not the SAT?" questions: simply because here (a solidly southern state) all of the state schools use the ACT as an admissions benchmark. So pretty much everyone takes the ACT here. If after the next ACT test he is still wanting to improve his score, I'll follow the advice of someone here and suggest that he take an SAT practice test to see if that might be a better test for him.</p>

<p>I am about to start a "Help us find the right college" thread, so the journey really is beginning . . .</p>

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<p>My son had a 29 at the end of his junior year. We worked with a personal tutor over the summer - just a few sessions and she was able to pinpoint what he needed to pull up his week area. He also was looking at some selective schools. He retook the test in September of his senior year. (we actually crossed state lines to do it) and were able to pull it up to a 32. Talk with your HS GC and see if there is a local tutor available. The one we used is known far and wide and she is amazing.</p>

<p>SAT - my older one did fabulously on this test. Younger one not so much. Thus the focus on the ACT.</p>

<p>Take a breath - you have time. Good luck!</p>

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<p>My daugher had a fine English/Writing ACT, math a disaster, no surprise. Between junior and senior year she took a college level math course at our community college, worked hard and got a B. We submitted it to all colleges she applied to and she not only got into all three, who turned down several of her friends with similar apps (and waaay higher math scores) but they accepted the three credit course.
Best of luck to you!</p>

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<p>Do consider the SAT, he may have better scores and can compare himself to those at many private schools that may interest him and give him enough money to be as cheap as public schools.</p>