<p>Me and my friend were having a friendly argument today over how the ACT scores work. He said he called up the admissions office of Cal Berkeley and they told him that if you take an ACT No Writing, the score won't even matter.</p>
<p>Now, I was under the impression that colleges take your best ACT composite score, and your best writing score. </p>
<p>So if I took 3 Non - Writings topping out at a composite of 33, and then took an ACT Writing and got a 31 composite 9 writing, the colleges would look at the 33 and the 9. Is this true? Thanks for your help</p>
<p>Well, your facts may be a little mixed up. First of all, you can not “superscore” the act for most colleges (I say most because some do). So basically if the college you’re applying to doesn’t require act writing then you do not need it. However, if they do then you need the writing. When you say “So if I took 3 Non - Writings topping out at a composite of 33, and then took an ACT Writing and got a 31 composite 9 writing, the colleges would look at the 33 and the 9” in order for colleges to see the scores, you would have to send all of them via score report at 10 dollars each. Also just letting you know, for the act YOU pick which score you want to send (obviously your best). You can not seperate a specific writing score for one date, and add it to another date. Hope this helps, I recomend taking act with writing because that way you’re safe.</p>
<p>Colleges around my state are mixed about the composite/writing merger. For instance, UTexas requires strictly tests with writing, where non-writing composites aren’t even considered; however, Vandy takes highest composite and highest writing, since the two are relatively independent of each other. Just look on your top choices’ sites or send a few inquiring emails if you’re unsure.</p>
<p>No, Berkeley does not superscore the ACT. The writing is required and weighed at 1/3rd of the total.</p>
<p>I personally feel like the writing and the composite are two separate things. Like I understand that most colleges don’t superscore the ACT, I just thought that the writing would be an exception. Anyway, thanks for your responses!</p>
<p>This leads me to question. In states like IL, the writing section has been eliminated from state testing. Is there any reason for good students to just not try at all if they know all the school they wish to go to require writing?</p>
<p>Some school request all scores to be reported, so I wouldn’t just blow it off. At least treat it like a practice test for your eventual retake with writing.</p>