ACT scores, superscoring and rounding

Test Preparation ACT Preparation
1

Test 1

ACT first time result:

Math 31
Science 30
English 33
Reading 29
Composite 31
Essay 9

  1. She is interested in engineering and was unhappy with her math and science scores.
  2. Also, her top choice school's swim coach told her that her chances would be better with a one or two point higher ACT score. She worked on math and science and took it again on Sept 12th. The results were reported today.

Today’s result
Math 34
Science 33
English 29
Reading 28
Composite 31
Essay not reported

Her combined / superscore results :

Math 34
Science 33
English 33
Reading 29
Composite 31 individual or 32 superscored (average is 32.25)
Essay 9

Questions:

  1. To me, the superscored result looks significantly better, but the composites are both 31 individually. How do most schools think about that?
  1. It seems to me that her combined score looks significantly better, especially for an engineering student. However, I see that if schools only look at the superscored composite, then she would only need to improve one of the subscores by 1, to round to a 33 composite. To me, if schools would see it as an improvement of one point on one subtest, it really is not worth it. However, if they view that as a change from a 32 composite to a 33 composite, then it could be non-trivial, especially since the coach wanted her to get a one or two point improvement. What are your thoughts on this?

Our other student took the SAT, so I am not as familiar with these ACT details.

2

@Much2learn What part of the country do you live in that your daughter’s results were already posted? I live in NY and haven’t seen any score reporting for the Sept. 12th ACT yet. Apparent there are technical difficulties at ACT.org. Did she do Act with writing?

3

Yes, but she did not get her writing score yet. Her results appeared at about Noon today. They were posted later than usual.

4

What part of the country do you live in? I am just wondering if the East Coast is not yet reported. It is quite frustrating considering usually ACT results are posted on the 2nd Tuesday after the exam. :frowning:

5

I live in the Midwest.

6

Ahhh - near the ACT offices. I guess we just have to wait and wonder …

7

we are in NJ and I saw my daughter’s score now…not sure when it was posted, she took ACT with writing. The writing score has not been posted as expected

8

OP

Without knowing all of the details, here is how I see it:

  1. Check with the schools on the list to get their specific policy on super scoring. If the schools super score, it is worth sending both sets of scores.

It will be double the price at $24.

  1. If the coach asked for a a two point improvement, I would consider a retake with a focus on reading to move that number. Reading is dragging down the composite.

You can PM me with specific questions if you like.