How would you rate a 9 on the essay?

Test Preparation ACT Preparation
1

<p>My son just got his writing/English score of 32 (with a 9 on the essay). Is that okay or should he consider retaking? His composite was good -- a 34 (35 -Eng. , 31 math, 34 reading and 35 science).</p>

2

<p>It obviously depends on his college plans.</p>

3

<p>A 34 composite puts him in about the top 10,000 students who took the ACT.</p>

<p>If you use the 2008 data, 9,600 students scored a 34 or better. I would say enjoy the summer - and relax. Do you realize how good that is? 1.4 Million took that test. If 2009 is similiar - and it can’t be far off - that’s amazing. A 21 is an average score.</p>

<p>[ACT</a> National and State Scores for 2008](<a href=“http://www.act.org/news/data/08/index.html]ACT”>http://www.act.org/news/data/08/index.html)</p>

4

<p>i have a 9 with a 32 composite and im happy enough with it. it’s just kind of annoying because one grader thought your essay was good and the other was like “eh…” overall i really felt like i deserved a 10, but i don’t think it’s enough of a factor in admissions anyway so im not retaking it just to improve writing.</p>

5

<p>burry – My son got the exact same score on his first try, 34 composite and 9 essay. He’s debating whether he will retake the ACT &/or the SAT.</p>

<p>I saw that their website reports that 55% of students who took the ACT more than once increased their composite score, but I’d guess that the percentage would be lower for higher scorers. Not sure what my son will do. I’m leaning towards retaking both SAT & ACT so he’ll have no regrets. OTOH, there’s a slight opportunity cost if he spends time prepping. His top choice reach school is Rice.</p>

6

<p>i would say no to retaking just for a higher essay grade.</p>

<p>they want you to have the writing portion, but i don’t think it is that important.</p>

7

<p>Thanks for all the replies – and especially to the reassuring words of Kansasgirl. It would have been such a “no brainer” if my son had a higher essay grade, but I think we will just look at the big picture and go with his score without retaking just for the essay. He is actually a good writer, so I think his college essay will be well written, and we hope that will be enough. Sometimes enough is enough with all this testing, don’t you think?</p>

8

<p>Ya, that’s awesome. I wish I was better at standardized tests. I got a 31, but a 10 on the essay. The essay gradding is sort of bogus, so I wouldn’t worry AT ALL. Have a great summer.</p>