<p>I got a composite 31 (33/31/31/30) but then got a 6 on my essay. I just cannot believe it. That is 29th percentile. I am taking AP Language as well as AP Lit and will probably get 5s on both tests. Anyway, my point is that I don't think it is a good indicator of a student's writing skills.</p>
<p>So,</p>
<p>should I retake? I am moderately happy with my composite.</p>
<p>and also,</p>
<p>do colleges take the essays into account?</p>
<p>If you think you can potentially raise your composite score by taking it again, go ahead. But it's not worth retaking solely to improve upon your 6. The way I see it, if your ACT English and Reading scores are good (which they are) and you have high grades in your English classes, colleges are unlikely to take that 6 into deep consideration. I got a 5 in Writing the first time I took it (I'm a sloooow writer), yet I received a 35 and 31 in English and Reading, respectively. Doesn't make sense to me.</p>
<p>i think i might retake that if i were you. surely you can improve.</p>
<p>yea i'm kinda in the same boat as you: 33 composite but 8 on the reading. I'm retaking in june, since i was totally sick and jetlagged that day...</p>
<p>I was in the same boat, high composite, mediocre writing. I retook the test in April and my composite went up one, but my essay stayed the same. Really, the writing is just so subjective that I wouldn't worry about it too much. The more I look at it, the stupider it was that I retook. Don't stress too much.</p>
<p>I had a 34 composite (34,33,33,36) and an 8 on the essay. I got into the specialized curriculum in physics at Illinois and the campus honors program, so yea, I got in.</p>
<p>I got a 33 composite and a 6 on the essay. I didn't score higher because I focused on one position against something. The comments said I needed more details. Whatever. My language arts teachers know I am an outstanding writer. Colleges have their supplemental essays and the Common Application essay to judge your writing ability. I was accepted to Bowdoin, Middlebury, Colby, and Hamilton, so they obviously consider other writing samples. You have an exceptional composite score; unless you are hoping for admission to Harvard, I think you'll be fine....</p>
<p>Uhhh. I'm not sure, but is a 9 low? I know a ton of people on CC manage to get 10+.</p>
<p>Yeah, I got a 36 (35 on reading, 36 on rest) but only an 8 on the essay. Obviously I didn't take it again, but case in point the essay isn't as important.</p>
<p>I got in ED to Carnegie Mellon, Computer Science.</p>
<p>I had a 34 with a 7 on the essay, didn't retake, and got into Rice, Emory, and the William & Mary Scholars program</p>
<p>yeah, i wouldn't worry too much about it if you have a good composite.</p>
<p>i got a 35 overall, but only an 8 on the essay. (ironically, a 5 on ap english lang too...they must grade weirdly on the ACT or something)</p>
<p>and i got into lots of top schools, so don't sweat it.</p>