I just took the ACT for the first time in June after deciding that the SAT was killing me slowly. (I’m a rising senior). I didn’t study (I think SAT prep just helped me here), but got a 35 composite score with a 7 on the essay. Is it worth retaking to bring up the essay score? I am so ready to be done with testing, but I’m worried the low essay score could hurt my chances at some of the schools I’m applying to. I think I could bring up my math and science scores as well if I studied more—is this worth the time?
I’m a pretty good writer, and my applications/extracurriculars are kind of centered around writing, so I’m a little worried that this essay score will somehow invalidate everything I talk about in my essays… I am probably being irrational but let’s be honest, I have no idea what I’m doing when it comes to college. Not sure what I should do here…
Thanks!
Yes you should, I had a six on my essay part the first time and it was just horrible.
I wouldn’t recommend taking it again. A 35 composite already places you among the top 1-2% of American students. If you take it again, you run the risk of doing worse, or exactly the same. It just wouldn’t be worth it to spend another $50 trying to improve your score any further. A 7 is the average score for the essay portion and definitely does not overshadow your composite.
No, you shouldn’t retake it.