<p>If a student has done poorly on the writing section of the ACT (and their overall composite score is pretty low) wouldn't it be beneficial to just skip this section on the test retake? </p>
<p>Why invest an extra half hour when it may be a motivator that the test will end earlier verses a longer morning, thereby pacing oneself may be a bit easier.</p>
<p>It was also mentioned that poor writing scores can reduce your overall composite. How does that work - I thought they were completely separate.</p>
<p>Anyone know where you can find the list of schools which require the writing test?</p>
<p>It depends on colleges to which you intend to apply. Many do not require the writing section and, for those, there is no reason to take it (and they won’t think any worse of you for not having it; those just ignore the writing entirely even if it is submitted). However, if the college requires writing, you need it.</p>
<p>A low writing score does not impact on the composite score provided by ACT. The composite is determined by the average of the math, reading, English and science scores. If you take writing, you get an essay score and you get a separate combined English/writing section score (also on a 36 scale) that ACT does not use for the composite. Of course, that does not prevent any college that requires the writing from considering that English/writing score or lowering your composite for its own purposes.</p>