All
My son got a composite of 35 with getting 33 in both Math and Science and getting 36 in both English and reading. In the prior test, he got a composite of 34 with both Math and Science. For the colleges doing super score he is ok with composite score of 36 and individual scores in either 36 or 35.
Have a question on the ones which won’t do the super scoring.
He is planning to apply for selective schools and wondering if the lower individual score will reduce his chances to get admitted. Thanks in advance for your help.
I meant to post in my original that in the first test, he got a composite of 34 and both Math and Science scores being 35 each. From super score perspective, he is ok.
Some schools superscore the ACT and some don’t. It’s just the way it is. His 34 superscore is a very fine score.
Highly selective schools? Like what? If Ivies and Stanford and MIT and the like, these are reaches for everyone…so just make sure he has some sure thing applications as well.
He has a super composite score of 36 and having individual scores in either 35 or 36. For the test where he got a composite score of 35 (his best one), both Math and Science scores are 33. Does he have to retake the ACT to get a better score in both Math and Science and composite either being at 35 or higher so the ACT score won’t be a negative factor when the admission office is doing a holistic review? I understand that various other factors will come into play as part of the admission process and want to know (if anyone knows) if the lower individual scores especially STEM ones will reduce his chances.
Yes, the schools he is looking at are University of Chicago, Northwestern, Washu, Vanderbilt, University of Michigan and Direct Med programs.
Agree with @allyphoe Do not retake with a 35 composite.
But also be realistic and understand that at selective elite schools, even kids with a 36 composite do not get accepted. So…have a well balanced list of applications submitted.
Do NOT have him retake the test. He could get a lower composite score. Frankly, I think superscoring is terrible- the best students will do well in all subjects at the same time. Your son’s 35 is excellent. Getting perfect ACT or SAT scores will not make the difference in admissions (my kid as an example). He will be in competition with those who are not STEM majors as well. There are many good reasons college admissions are not just numbers driven. He definitely needs other schools on his list. If he intends to become a physician his state flagship is an excellent choice for getting the academic rigor, saving money and getting in. Wash U is not as well ranked in many STEM fields- and far too many premed students (2 of H’s young relatives went there, it would not have been as good for math son) that fill classes instead of those truly interest in the science.
Bottom line. He is done with the ACT. He needs to figure out his goals when choosing schools. Since so many premed students do not end up in medical school he needs a major witch he enjoys and leads potentially to another career. There are far too many top students for the number of elite school places. One can get an excellent education at many flagships and other top tier schools.
There is no meaningful statistical difference between a 34 and a 36 on either the composite or any specific subscore. This is not a linear scale – rather it’s a bell curve with 34 being 98%+ All colleges are going to view those high end scores as essentially the same, and no college is going to base selection on the difference between a 34 / 35 / 36. The 33 subscores in math & science are still at the 98% level.
If your son doesn’t get accepted, it will be for reasons other than the test scores. So his time and yours are best focused on paying attention to those.
Sounds like the OP and/or his son has clear ideas about which schools the son is interested in and is asking specifically about the ACTs rather than whether he should go to the local directional. But It would have been easier to evaluate if OP had written out 1st test scores: Composite=x; English=x etc. Followed by the string of scores from the 2nd test. Can’t make out the total and subscores for both test sessions.
So instead I’ll just note that one thing to consider is that some schools place more emphasis on the Math and English sub-scores since the Science and Reading lower the validity of the Composite. In that case it sounds like his subscores would still be quite high. I suspect that there is great variability in how well adcons understand that the scores are not on a linear scale. Even so, it would not make much sense for the student to re-take the test (because je is close to ceiling and it is difficult to improve some scores while keeping the others as high) unless it didn’t take time away from other accomplishment and if he went all out in terms of studying. For most students, the return would not be worth the time. For most it would be more worthwhile putting effort into more meaningful endeavors.
First test - Composite - 34 , English - 31, Math - 35, Reading - 36, Science - 35
Second test - Composite - 35, English - 36, Math - 33, Reading - 36, Science - 33
I am looking for advice on if a retake is required for ACT to improve the chances for admissions at highly selective school (due to the lower Stem scores in the second test).
No need to retake as the scores won’t be the reason your S doesn’t get into a particular school (they’re good enough to get in anywhere). My D18 had an ACT 35 last year (36E, 32M, 36R, 36S) and at least one of her friends had an ACT 36, all very accomplished in other areas … yet none were accepted into the “elite” schools.
It’s all a game. I wouldn’t take it too seriously.
The answer is a little more complicated than just to rest on the higher composite. Yes, many top colleges look at sub scores and they can matter more than the composite, depending on the major he states. I’m assuming stem. While a 33 in M and S is good, you may want to see if he can raise that, to be more competitive for stem.
I’d consider submitting both existing sets, to colleges that superscore the ACT. They’ll see the 35s on math and sci from the first test. I’m afraid you need to see how each college treats the ACT, whether they superscore. You may need to call and ask the colleges: if you submit all test dates, will they have visibility to all? Or only consider the set with the highest composite?
Even a college that claims not to superscore may actually view all you send. Others may only include the top composite in their review copy. Sorry this can’t be clearer. It’s a tough decision. You have some time.
I would submit both tests, and not retake. On the common app your student will record the highest section scores as well. Most (not all) AOs from schools that do not superscore will still see the section detail.
If you really need to know how a given school handles this (and IMO you don’t need to know), your S should ask his regional AO.