Combined English/Writing Score

Test Preparation ACT Preparation
1

I recently took a test that my local tutoring center administered from the Real ACT prep guide. I got a 34 Composite (E: 33, M: 36, R: 36, and S: 34). An instructor graded my essay and they gave me a 6/12 which isn’t that great I realize. That gave me a combined E/W score of 28.

So I have a couple of questions:

  1. If I got a not so great essay score but pretty good subscores and overall a good composite score, will it ruin my chances at some selective schools like Harvard?
  2. How important is the combined E/W score?
  3. What is a good combined E/W score?

Thanks!

2

Unfortunately, your tutor is doing no favors giving you the old writing test. The ACT is changing the writing section for September 2015.

Former ACT Writing Scores
(Through the June 2015 Test Event)
Holistic Writing Score 2–12

New ACT Writing Scores
(Begin September 2015 Test Events)
Subject-Level Writing Score 1–36

Individual Domain Scores
Ideas and Analysis 2–12
Development and Support 2–12
Organization 2–12
Language Use and Conventions 2–12

Combined English/Writing Score 1–36
ELA score (an average of the English, reading and writing tests) 1–36