April 9th 2011 Scores

[Creekland]

<p>

The ACT has no bearing on how successful one will be and/or how good of a person one is. (I would argue, even as a 34, that high scorers can often be a rotten bunch).

</p>

<p>Absolutely - if you are talking the final score alone. There are far more variables involved.</p>

<p>

In terms of being a measure of one’s mental capacity, I do think there is a little merit, but I think that, more than intelligence, it measures how good one is at testing. The ACT, like the SAT and other standardized tests, is something that can be learned. Through hard work, I’ve been able to pull my ACT score up a large amount from what I would have gotten, only because I am fortunate enough to get extra help. I wouldn’t say that, during the time my ACT score rose, my intelligence rose as well. Sure, there’re mental barriers that max out one’s potential ACT score, but it is a lot more complex than that. How much access has one had to tutoring? Does someone struggle in a particular subject? Maybe someone is not quick enough to answer questions accurately or not a fast reader (like me) which could majorly affect one’s ACT.

</p>

<p>But your academic intelligence did rise. Questions you had previously gotten incorrect are now correct - and it’s doesn’t mean your “blind guessing” has improved. It means you now know the material better and/or quicker. It also shows you “worked” to improve yourself. You had a goal and worked to make it happen. Many people would (perhaps correctly) argue that this alone shows you have more of a potential for success in college. Since you now know material better too, it’s a win-win for potential colleges.</p>

<p>

I know many people much more intelligent than me who have scored far lower on the ACT or the equivalent on the SAT. Last year’s valedictorian at my school was a 2000 SAT and went to MIT. I would never even try to compare my intelligence to his.

</p>

<p>2000 does not come to mind as a “low” score to me. And intelligence can vary considerably based on what one is personally thinking it is. Yes, the SAT/ACT only test certain aspects of intelligence. This is why most colleges look at more than just these tests. In general, and with my [adult] experience with literally thousands of students, I can say there is a correlation between higher scores and more academic ability. While there are exceptions, they are few. Very few. But if you are saying a student who gets a 2200 is better than a student who gets 2000 - maybe not. Compare 2200 to 1600 and there is likely to be a huge difference. </p>

<p>

There’s nothing wrong with a state school, an education is an education.

</p>

<p>Actually, certain schools ARE better than others, but of those better schools, some can be state schools. All colleges are NOT equal in their education, but many are good. </p>

<p>

There are many adults in my life, in fact a majority, that I look up to which have not gone to fantastic schools. In fact, the richest person I personally know did not attend college (and was not born in a rich family) and the second richest attended a state school. Granted, I don’t know that many adults from ivies, but I do know two off the top of my head. Both are outstanding, knowledgeable people (Harvard and Princeton), but they are far from rich. In any case, both of these groups of adults I know in my life are happy with varying levels of “success.”

</p>

<p>Since when does rich = success? Perhaps it does with a few people, but not most of us. One is successful (by my definition) if they find that niche in their life that fits them - and that niche is not illegal nor unethical, etc. It doesn’t matter to me if one supports themselves by being a garbageman or a brain surgeon. Both jobs can provide a good living. They do not need the same post high school education.</p>

<p>

In summary, I don’t think that someone’s ACT score means that they will be more or less successful than the next person, or live a happier life. I won’t be ignorant enough to say that it doesn’t matter and that it wouldn’t be a determining factor in the college that you eventually go to, but in short, ACT score does not equal happiness.

</p>

<p>Absolutely.</p>

[Alex32]

<p>You guys are so right. And perfect. I’m wrong 100% because your guy’s opinions are facts, right? And thank you arness, for making some sense at least.</p>

[Alex32]

<p>@SeekingUni- Wait a second. Wait one second, you said, in exact words - “False,” when I stated my opinion. Ok now that’s when it all just does not matter anymore. Regardless of how smart you are, how high you scored on the “life or death” ACT, if you go through life talking like that, expressing your opinions and beliefs as if everyone else’s were wrong, then you will go absolutely nowhere. That is ridiculous. </p>

<p>Does the ACT test ALL of your knowledge? I do not believe so. But maybe it does. It’s simply my opinion. But what you did, was stated a “FACT.” You said, in exact words that my opinion was completely false, and only according to you. </p>

<p>That’s a shame coming from someone who scored a 50 on their ACT…</p>

<p>Good day, thanks for playing.</p>

[CollegeBound25]

<p>Finally got my score!
C:34
E:36
M:36
R:29 =(
S:36</p>

<p>Much better overall than my previous test where i got
C:32
E:33
M:31
R:33
S:31</p>

[smithevan12]

<p>… someone’s grouchy. </p>

<p>@ Alex32 </p>

<p>You’re over reacting. Seriously, it’s just a test–one of many. Let try-hards be try-hards. No harm, no foul. Done.</p>

[smithevan12]

<p>@ collegebound25</p>

<p>I have no idea what happened with the reading section this time; seems to be a weak point for everyone–with very few exceptions.</p>

[smithevan12]

<p>Just checked my writing score: 10 with what I thought was a weak counter argument. </p>

<p>Com. english/writing score: 32</p>

<p>I can live with that.</p>

[CollegeBound25]

<p>Yeah the reading is usually always tough for me. It seemed like whenever i narrowed it down to 2 choices, i chose the right one when i got my 33. But on this past test it seemed like i always chose the wrong answer. Ill live with it though</p>

[MS1994]

<p>E: 29
M: 35
R: 36
S: 30
Composite: 33
Very happy with my scores, on the couple practice tests I took I didn’t get higher than a 32 on Reading, so i was surprised by that. Thinking about taking it again in June to try and boost up English and Science.</p>

[SeekingUni]

<p>I can’t check my account to see if my writing score has been posted today. When I try to log in it says: “Temporarily Unavailable - Please try again later”</p>

[ruthie2012]

<p>I just checked too - the site is down
I haven’t gotten any of my scores yet.
Haha I’m so apathetic, I really just don’t care what my scores are anymore.</p>

[QwertyNerd]

<p>Just got my writing scores. I got a 10/12 and a 30 E/W combined. I’m happy with the 10, but I didn’t realize that it brought your score down. How exactly does that work? Does it bring your score up only if you get a 12?</p>

[ruthie2012]

<p>FINALLY got my scores
C - 34
E - 34
M - 34
R - 32
S - 34</p>

<p>I’m freaking out this is the absolute first ACT I’ve ever taken… no prep at all. Guess the ACT is my test woooo! no need to take the SAT on Saturday ;)</p>

[lsu1993]

<p>^ I got my scores today also. Made a 32 composite, pretty happy with that.
32-Math
32-English
32-Science
33-Reading</p>

[Alex32]

<p>^^^That’s exactly what I am saying. Read my posts before you comment please.</p>

[butaneVeins]

<p>

@Alex32

I’ll still have fun at a state school.

I got a 31 this time and I’m headed to a public in-state school.
I like being able to use this forum to talk to students who also put the effort into achieving the best possible ACT score they can get.</p>

<p>I also like having full tuition paid along with my private room and meal plan, and a $4000/year stipend is pretty nice too. LOL.</p>

[Classof12and16]

<p>I HAVE A QUESTION!!! Does my combined English/Writing work into my composite, or just the English, Math, Science, & Reading!!! I got a 32 on the Writing but a 30 English/Writing combined, which would bring my composite down, which would mean I wouldn’t qualify for the scholarship that would let me go to college! Please…I’m freaking out right now!!!</p>

[SeekingUni]

<p>Whatever your score report reads as your composite is what it is. My understanding is that your writing score only affects your English/Writing combined, not your composite.</p>

[ftwpker]

<p>Out of curiosity what kind of scholarships would be available to juniors right now?</p>

[Edeleon004]

<p>First time I took it as a current junior and I got a 27. </p>

<p>33 math
25 science
24 reading
24 writing</p>

<p>I wasn’t able to finish any of the sections. Is it possible to raise this score dramatically by senior year? I am going to take Kaplan for sat, should I take it for ACT as well? Sorry for the questions but I need to see where I stand since the school I wish to go to has a range of 32 - 36 with few exceptions.</p>