Because of the way 2020 is going, we don’t know if my son will be able to retake the ACT. He did better than expected in English with a 34, math not as well as expected, but still 29. But he ran out of time in science and left about a 3rd of it blank. It brought his composite down to a 29. We plan on trying to have him retake the science and the math, but incase that does not happen, am curious if his higher score in English could possibly provide some benefit to submitting scores. I know colleges realize this is not a normal year and are making sending the scores in optional, but I am curious if the 34 could provide some benefit. despite the low science score
Admission officers at a number of test optional school that I’ve spoken to have suggested sending an applicant’s standardized test score if it is at or above the school’s average and applying test optional if the score is below the average.
IMO submitting the ACT could help your son if: 1) the average composite ACT for the school is 29 or lower AND 2) he does not plan to major in math/science.
If time is an issue on the ACT he may want to consider trying the SAT (perhaps try a timed practice test) to see if that exam might be a better fit. I believe the SAT allows for more time per question as compared to the ACT.
Yes, try to schedule the SAT rather than a retake of the ACT. The SAT doesn’t have a science section at all, and it also tends to create fewer running-out-of-time problems generally.
The question about benefit from subscores may be a good one to pose to AO’s, as the answer may vary among schools.
He does not plan to major in science or math (or engineering), and his SAT percentile was not as high as the ACT percentile. We had him take each test once to determine which format he liked/performed better on. His first choice school, the average composite score is a 30 (so close, but just not quite there). In any other year, there would be no question, he would actually prepare for the science this time, and retake the ACT. I am just worried with how things are going, he wont get the chance. And I know that no one can really answer for sure what colleges will think/do this year.
Thanks for the heads up on asking AOs. I honestly would not have thought of or considered that. This year in particular it might be useful because they probably have a better idea of how they are handling scores with so many of the ACT and SAT testing sessions cancelled