Got a 31 composite - 28 English, 30 Math, 34 Reading and 33 science. In the prep tests my English has usually been 28, 29 or 30. Undecided on where to apply. Do I retake in April or stick with score and possibly take in Sept of Senior year if I fall in love with school that typically accepts higher ACT?
I would only retake if you put significant time into studying for it. My daughter’s ACT was raised by 6 points after intense studying (with a tutor) the summer between her junior and senior year.
32 seems to be a magic number for significant merit awards at some schools - you are so close I think I would take every opportunity to nudge it higher.
If you have the time (and the funds), take it one more time (unless this is like your 4th time taking it or something). Figure out a good pace for the science test (it needs no scientific knowledge. You just need to manage your time) and try to get it up to a 35 or so. Your lowest subsection score is English, obviously: to increase it, don’t just take practice test after practice test, smashing your head against the same brick wall. Figure out the grammar rules tested in the section; if you are willing to pay even more money for a better score, there are a couple books on the market specifically for the Reading/English parts of the ACT.
Targeted prep. That’s all it takes.
I would retake for sure, after targeted prep (you can do this yourself), you can get that math and english up with work. If you don’t have an especially rigorous curriculum (not too many jr yr APs coming up) I would try april and once more in summer for a max of 3 times. If at all possible have it done before fall semester really starts in earnest.
Thanks for the advice!