Will the new section retesting coming in September shift many colleges who currently just look at single sitting to look at superscores, or will section retesting only have an impact at colleges which currently look at superscores? In other words, how important will single-sitting scores be after these changes?
Nobody knows.
Interesting questions.
Many admissions teams haven’t discussed their policies for next year yet, but will do so late spring/summer. Currently, there are schools who superscore (recalculate a superscored composite), those who consider the highest scores in each of the 4 sections but don’t recalculate a composite, and those who don’t superscore at all. It seems the middle group is the most prevalent when talking ACT.
I don’t know whether ACT’s single section retakes will increase the number of schools superscoring, or increase the number of schools who consider the highest section scores, but it will be interesting to see how this all shakes out.
Another important issue is that the section tests can only be taken on the computer, no pencil and paper option. Many test centers can’t offer computer based testing at all, while some can, but in limited numbers. It’s possible that come September there won’t be enough sites to satisfy the section testing demand. So, register early!
For schools that allow self-reporting of scores and/or don’t require all scores to be reported…they don’t know how many times an applicant has taken a test, so not sure a one and done holds any level of importance at those schools currently, or will in the future.
I have a feeling this will mean fewer schools will use super scoring as it’s going to artificially inflate scores. IMO this makes the test even less useful.
Could be. I’ve spoken with several AOs at schools that do superscore and they all said that they will accept the section tests. It’s at the schools that don’t currently superscore where it will be most interesting!
Perhaps this will lead more schools to become test optional. The pace of schools choosing TO continues to accelerate, and if the UC system goes TO for 21/22 (expected to announce their decision sometime this month or next), I expect that will accelerate things even more.
Colleges may want to see inflated scores to report to USNWR for rankings (where the student selectivity measure is mostly about SAT/ACT scores).
It is too early to know what colleges will do. My sense is that many that superscore will accept the scores but possibly with a new variant – the single section tests do not get used to actually superscore to create a new composite but instead will be considered along with that test having a composite to determine admission,. e.g., the college, or perhaps its math and engineering programs, will consider a higher math score along with a regular test’s composite. That would actually go along with the colleges that have self-reporting of scores through the common app where the applicant reports his highest section scores and separately his highest composite.
This is the $64,000 question. My thought is that this is a money grab for ACT, and College Board will soon follow suit.
I think it will be very popular and that even colleges which are test optional will consider these sub scores.
I really like and dislike this new rule at the same time. I get why their doing it and not just for a money grab, I think. My son retook the act. Heh, math kids don’t like the English section or appears… Lol… Many engineering kids don’t do well in that section. Just having to study and retake that makes sense to me. Why chance lowering your other sections if your happy with it.
The part I really don’t like is will the colleges now use this to rule out kids that used this method. There are plenty of one and done kids. Will kids be at a disadvantage if they retake a section?
@Knowsstuff Yeah that’s the big question, I asked this because I took the ACT today and wondering if I should let my single-sitting score be or retake…hopeful for consistent, solid scores.
Maybe call you target schools admissions and ask then let us know…
@Knowsstuff Maybe it’s a bit early? I’m only a sophomore atm.
I would still call and I bet thing will change by the time your a senior also. This way you have the knowledge. Might even be a motivator to start your prep early. Like this summer (that’s not too early at all)
@Knowsstuff Ok then.
When you said prep, what type of prep to you mean? If you mean for standardized testing, I took the ACT yesterday. I’m hoping that I’ll be one and done. I didn’t do much prep but I got 35.25 on my two practice tests leading up to the exam, and I feel really good about yesterday’s test.
Good… 34 and up is awesome… Hope it went well.
Could someone explain superscore to me? Is that using the highest scores in each section from multiple testing dates?
@1Lotus Superscoring at the moment is taking the highest scores in each section from multiple sittings. However, the ACT is introducing a new system where you can just take one section and use this as part of your superscore. How colleges will treat this new system and what weight will be placed on single-sitting and superscore now is unclear.
Thank you 
Circling back to this thread…was recently at a college update meeting for counselors.
U Oklahoma, Kansas U, and U Missouri reps announced their schools will be superscoring the ACT starting with 2021/22 application cycle…they cited the ACT section retest option as the reason (or one of the reasons) behind the change.
@Mwfan1921 does that mean for the class or 2021 (next years seniors) or the following year (class of 2022)? Seems like the following year, even though the change is starting in September. Class of 2021 might be in limbo a bit.