Do initial low scores matter?

Test Preparation
1

I took the ACT for the third time recently, and I plan to take it a final time in September. My scores go as follows: 26, 30, and probably a 30/31 this time around. I’m aiming for a 34 in September, studying this summer.

My question is if it matters that I scored a 26 on my first test. I’m planning on deleting at least one score since I am to be taking the test a total of 4 times. So if the last test I took came out to be all the same or lower section scores(such that superscoring wouldn’t make a difference), should I delete the 26 or my last test? Do colleges like to see that I improved my ACT score or that I started out doing decently on it?

2

Your 26 doesn’t matter because you got a 30 the next time. Your 30 doesn’t matter if you get higher than that this time. Colleges usually place emphasis on the most recent/highest score. Seeing a low initial score shows (as you said) improvement, which is a good thing. Now, if the college asks you to send one score, send your highest (obviously). If they want all of them, send all of them. Don’t delete the 26.