I just got my ACT score back.
Composite - 33
English - 32
Math - 31
Reading - 32
Science - 35
Writing - 24
This surprises me because when I took my mock ACT using the Real ACT Prep Guide these were my scores.
English - 32
Math - 34
Reading - 33
Science - 32
Writing - 30 (Graded by ACT Tutor)
Why would my scores suddenly go down(Other than Science)? I am most surprised about Math because that is my best subject and I am taking AP Calculus BC. I should add that I am looking into MIT and want to study Engineering.
The Writing seems completely wrong because I know people who are worse writers than me that got an 8 (I got an 8888).
It also seems weird for the Math to suddenly go down by such a significant figure.
What are you opinions about my scores suddenly going down (especially Math considering it is my best subject)?
The math score is probably the difference of 3 problems. Your scores will vary with each test you take, just as they probably did if you took more than 1 practice test. Practice tests can give you a general idea, but when you look at the scale score sheet, you can see that missing one or two questions does make a difference. Just keep prepping and take it again if have you have time.That being said, a 33 composite is a great score to have in your pocket even if you try for higher.
Exactly what @s16s18s21s25 said.
For example, I took the ACT in February 2014, then April 2014. My math score went from a 30 to 34. Reading from 36 to 34. At the highest levels, a few problems can make all the difference. Congratulations on what is already a great score and good luck to you should you decide to retake it.
One thing I should point out is I got a Perfect score on Trig and Precalculus and a Perfect Score on Pre-algebra and Elementary Algebra. I got a 14/18 subscore on Algebra and Coordinate Geometry.
Things like that happen. All you can do is study what you missed and study some more, then try again. I would make sure to consider whether trying to up a 33 is really worth the time you put in.
On math you missed only 6 questions (54/60 ). Got that from the TIR scale score sheet
In terms of the ACT’s MIT looks at the composite and the top scores for English and math-they sort of super-score. So take it once again and concentrate most only those two subtests. MIT knows that the 2nd two sub-scores just add noise to the composite. I would not worry as much about those two. I’d also work on “writing”. Even if the composite stays the same, improving the first two subscores could help you out. But as noted above, your scores are good as they are and MIT does not value spending an excessive amount of time taking tests over and over. So go for one more attempt. You should aim for good SAT2s: one math and one science. Try to nail those.
I’m not sure that your Practice test is that much different from your Actual test. Both are C33, so the overall result is pretty consistent.
That’s a great first score, so don’t even stress over it. Take the test again, you’ll probably score higher.
EVERYBODY… There is a common misconception about the writing test. The writing section now scores out of 36, but it is extremely hard to get a high score. Writing scores should not be compared to multiple choice section scores. If you want a better idea of how to translate a writing score, look through ACTs website at the scoring percentiles. This can be found here: http://www.act.org/aap/pdf/NormsChartSTEMELAWriting-Web2015-16.pdf
I’m not sure how exact these numbers are, but they are somewhat close. When I submitted my scores to UNC Chapel Hill, my profile said I scored in the 96th percentile for my writing score which was a 23. Overall, you can expect your writing score to be significantly lower than your other scores.
My writing score said 88th percentile but it was a 24.