<p>OK, here's the dilemma: daughter took ACT in June & September, scores are moderately high but not amazing, but in the September test she scored 1-2 points better on 3 subscores, but overall her composite went down by a point. So rather than having 1 test better than another, we've got a mixed bag.</p>
<p>So the question is: do we submit only the score with the higher composite, or both? We know some schools will mix and match subscores, but so far other colleges we've talked to are being unclear. I.e., one college wrote "We consider each part of your ACT score as a whole, but don't worry too
much about adding together each 'better" part to achieve a best score." I have no clue what that means... "each part" "as a whole".</p>
<p>Advice? Is it possible that submitting both scores can hurt? The higher composite is in range for all her colleges, but the lower one is below range for a couple of her reach colleges.</p>
<p>I'd say submit the highest composite -- a 1 or 2 point difference in subscores, while nice, is probably not going to be that important in the overall scheme of things when compared to a higher composite number. The only exception could be if she's applying to an engineering school or program, in which case you probably want to make sure they see the highest math subscore.</p>
<p>Unlike what they do with multiple SAT's, majority of colleges do not consider highest subscores from multiple ACT tests but instead consider that test with the highest composite. The response you got from the one college is incomprehensible so I won't even attempt an explanation. Nevertheless, you are generally safe sending multiple scores because they consider only highest score for admission regardless of how they come up with that highest score and ignore rest of scores and thus you are not penalized for submitting multiple tests.</p>
<p>Another consideration is that a number of colleges consider the math and English score to be the more important subscores. Some like Rose Hulman and Georgia Tech use only those for admission and ignore all other subscores and the composite. Thus, if English and math score are higher on one test even though the composite is lower than other test, you should send both in the event the college weighs those subscores as the more important.</p>
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but instead consider that test with the highest composite
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Almost all the schools say this. I'm just not sure I believe them. I'm sure they REPORT the highest scores to USNews, etc. I'm just not convinced they only use the highest scores when making their decisions. It's just human nature. They have the two scores. They can't turn a swithch and erase them from their memory. </p>
<p>It reminds me of crime movies where the witness says something devastating about the defendant's case, and the attorney jumps up to object. The Judge thinks that the issue can be solved by instructing the jury to "disregard the testimony" because it's hearsay. Right. The jury will be able to ignore that John Doe told Mary Smith that the defendant is a mean drunk who threatened to kill Charlie two weeks before Charlie turned up dead. </p>
<p>The key benefit of the ACT is that you can select what scores to submit. I would use that benefit.</p>
<p>we were told by one school that they will only look at the composite ACT and that regarding ACT, they do not mix and match. with SAT, they said they WILL mix and match the scores. think you'll need to contact each school separately about their policy.</p>
<p>Agree that it's worth checking with the school you're interested in. WUSTL told us they look at the ACT subscores and mix and match with the highest scores. Other schools told us they only consider the composite. UC's only consider the composite.</p>