<p>I took the SAT this weekend to improve score of 2110 from October, but if for whatever reason my score doesn't go up, should I just take the ACT? I got a 31 last time - mind you, no prep, and I had no sleep that week (heavy project week), and I had a headache, and I wasn't familiar at all with the sections (I literally learned the day before that there were 4 sections). So I think I can get that score higher, but I don't know... would it be worth retaking?</p>
<p>Bear in mind I'm applying to competitive schools...</p>
<p>I would definitely retake the ACT. probably don't need to worry about the SAT right now. focus on the ACT.</p>
<p>You think I should retake it because a 31 is a low score or because the circumstances involving my previous test taking were unfavorable, so with prepping for this week, I could get easily my scores up a point or two?</p>
<p>Btw, what score should I be aiming for, given I'm applying to competitive institutions? On the ACT sheet is says 30+ is for highly competitive schools, but that seems an awfully generous range...</p>
<p>will you stop whining. I would kill for a fricken 31. 31 is fine for pretty much any school, it will not get you rejected. At this point, I am trying to improve my 26. I want a 28+, a 30 would be ideal, but I apparently suck at this.</p>
<p>NDjake: lol, thanks for the reassurance: "it will not get you rejected." Anyway, I'm less concerned about getting in (though obviously this is important) so much as about getting scholarship consideration.</p>
<p>Anyone else with advice...?</p>
<p>Actually, I got some strategies I am trying. For reading and science go straight to the questions. In reading do the line reference questions first and read the references. I am currently trying that. Hopefully, I master it before Saturday. Honestly though, a 31 should be just fine for colleges I would quit worrying. Imagine how I feel about my 26. Hell, I want your 31! I hope I can at least come close to a 30 on saturday.</p>
<p>a 31 is a very good score, in fact, a 31 was the average ACT composite for those accepted to dartmouth last year</p>
<p>if you want to retake you can though, but a 31 will not hurt you, as NDjake says</p>
<p>The timing for the ACT really hurt me... The reading section was brutal... I couldn't even finish one of the passages, and literally filled in at least 7 circles without even looking at the questions. I figure if I get my timing right, I'll be able to score higher on the reading.</p>
<p>I'm hesitant about taking the ACT though because it's another 50-60 bucks down the drain (I'm international), and then more for the fee to send it to each college... in addition to 10 bucks for sending the SAT. With a 50-60 buck app fee, I really don't want to pay 20 more PER college to send scores...</p>