<p>What concerns me is my relatively low math score, since I plan on going into engineering. I'm looking at competitive schools like Rice, Duke, UMN-TC, etc. I'm not sure if I should retake it just to try and raise my math score. I know the ACT doesn't superscore, and I'm not confident that I'll be able to get such a high score in everything else again.</p>
<p>Will my 29 in math have a big impact on my admissions into colleges of engineering? I easily get As in all subjects, including AP BC calculus, so I'm not sure if that helps. Maybe should I attempt taking the SAT II Math II? Since you can choose which scores to send for subject scores, right?</p>
<p>Some input would be lovely! I have plenty of time to retake the ACT since it is my junior year, but if the math score isn't that big a deal I'd rather not because of the cost and stress. Thanks!</p>
<p>I should mention that I went into this test with little/no preparation (all I did was take the first practice test in the red Peterson’s book the night before). So I’m pretty confident that with practice I’d be able to increase my math score a few points at least. But getting a 36 in other sections again would take luck, since I actually enjoyed the readings in the Feb ACT and found them easier than practice books. Plus with the science curve, one or two more questions wrong could really hurt my score, and it’s so easy to get question wrong with the time crunch…</p>
<p>Definitely best to retake! I’ve emailed some admission couselors from diff colleges and they told me that they focus on the Math & Science sections <strong>for Engineering majors</strong> --can’t say this is true for all colleges though.</p>
<p>PS- I scored 32 on my first one and 33 on my second. It could only improve!</p>
<p>If you’re doing well in BC, then with a reasonable amount of prep time you shuold be able to bring your math score up to a 34-35. A 35 composite would be realistic for you if you prepare.</p>
<p>My son wants to be a chemical engineer. He’s in a similar situation. He is also a Junior and also took the Feb 2013 ACT. He also scored a 34 Composite score. Here are his scores:</p>
<p>English 33
Math 31
Reading 35
Science 35
Essay 8</p>
<p>His math score is 96%tile, but it is a bit low for the best engineering schools. The act math range of schools like Cornell, Princeton, Carnegie Mellon, U Penn is 30/31-34. And MIT which is number 1 for his major (no doubt for just about every engineering major) act math range is 34-36. So my son is at the bottom and for MIT at below bottom. Your math 29 is 93%tile, which is good but it puts you below bottom. </p>
<p>When my son got out of the exam, he told me he thought the math was harder than usual. He’s taken many practice tests and he took the ACT as a sophomore. So perhaps the next time you take it the math will be a bit easier. Most of the better engineering schools require SAT MATH II subject test, he’s taking that in May. That should tell us a lot. Because if his score is a good one then I think he can relax on the ACT math and just go with his current score. What I’m saying is that if you have to take MATH II anyway, maybe save your studying for that. Get a good score and go with your current ACT score. Because your ACT score is really quite good as it is.</p>
<p>I’m registered for the April ACT, so I’m hoping math goes better that time. If not, I will take the June SAT II and hope that goes well! Good look to your son!</p>