Hello all: Single dad and stressing. DS had a 34 on a practice ACT as a sophomore in April. His high school counselor recommended that he take the ACT early this year to get it out of the way and clear the deck for subject tests in the spring. I understand the ACT is based more on school learning. My question is, would signing up for the ACT for October 28 be too soon (with December 9 as back up)? Or would December 9 be better (with February as backup). I guess the advantage to October is that studying wouldn’t be complicated by finals, but obviously want him to have his best shot for doing well and hopefully just one time. Would really appreciate any perspectives.
I don’t think Oct is too early. My kid took it September of junior… you need to look into his other schedule…say sports and school midterm
What was the format for the practice ACT? Was it a real test in test conditions? For a very strong student with a shot in the high 30s waiting probably won’t change much, but he should still prep., so whenever his prep time pays is the optimum time. What is the plan for prep?
If she is thoroughly prepared, it is the right time to take it. This would allow plenty of time for backup plan if needed. Both my D’s took the first SSATAT around that time although the school district pay for a state mandated ACT/SAT in Spring of Junior year. The goal is to finish all standardized tests before senior year.
Hi Sybylla: The test was administered by Applerouth–it was proctored online but he took it at home. So it may not be predictive. He will be prepping with a tutor who specializes in kids with higher test scores (above 80%).
We had D18 take a practice ACT in February of 10th grade. Her public HS had the 10th graders take a practice PSAT in Oct of 10th grade so we figured, why not take a practice ACT as well. I think it worked out nicely because it demystified both standardized tests in 10th grade and set her up for the official tests in 11th grade (she took all three, PSAT, SAT, and ACT, in Oct of 11th grade).
I would definitely have your S take the Oct ACT. It gives him plenty of time to take it again if necessary. If he does great then he’s done with the ACT tests.
Note: definitely take the ACT/SAT with essay. I didn’t do that with D18 last year and she had to take them again this September with essay because at least one of the colleges she’s applying to requires the essay.
it is so helpful for us to complete the test before senior year as she can take subject test in June of junior year and has an idea of what colleges to visit.
I would destress and let him take it in October, but be clear that if he is not happy he can retake later. Lots of kids still taking them in senior year. D took the SAT twice and the ACT once. S took both SAT and ACT in June before senior year. There’s no harm in taking it now, even if it’s just for a baseline.
Not too early at all. Mine finished testing in the fall of junior year. Made it pretty darn nice when the AP tests and subject tests roll around in the spring - didn’t have to worry about the biggies. But still allows plenty of time to take it again and prep if they want (or need) to go for bigger score.
@sylvan8798 I want to clarify what you mean by baseline. Taking a test without preparation is a very bad idea. It is not only a waste of time and money, it will potentially invalidate the score from the next attempt after preparation. For baseline score, one just need to do practice test. Every year I read posts from students saying their test scores got cancelled because of a large improvement and they do not have enough time to retake before EA/ED deadline.
^^agreed. Not to mention some kids afraid that they have to send all the scores including the “baseline” scores.
My son took his first ACT in October of Junior year - he did prep for it, although not too much. He got a 33, wasn’t happy so did some tutoring and took it again in December of his Junior year. He was happy with his second score and it freed him up to focus on his Subject Tests, AP exams and extracurricular activities.
If he is wanting to take it in October, then I would say go for it, but I agree that he should do some preparation prior to taking it. My son’s Pre-ACT that he took his sophomore year had him scoring at a 35 - it made him a bit over-confident.
In effort to rid CC of it’s reputation that scares off students, because it seems everyone that posts here has a 36 or 1600, keep in mind less that one percent score a 35 or 36, only 1 % score a 33 or 34. Most people would be thrilled with the magical 32 or above - but alas, less than 5% get a 32 or above. So 95% don’t. Keeping it real.
2017 numbers:
36 2,760 0.136%
35 12,386 0.610%
34 20,499 1.010%
33 26,920 1.326%
I have no doubt OP’s son is, at least, in the 1%. @blueskies2day are the above full year numbers? or per test?
Just add up that total of kids in the >33 and that should light a fire under any smart kid that would otherwise slack. Over 62000 kids just in that group alone.
Keep it real indeed. These kids are all chasing places or merit. It is worth a bit of sweating.
No, not if he’s testing with a 34 on practice ACTs. Definitely DO the essay with the test. But don’t sweat it at all if he doesn’t do great on that section.
On the topic of baseline scores, I think they’re perfectly fine to do if you’re in a position to do them as a 7th-9th grader through a talent search when you won’t be retaking for a year. My kid started the ACT in 7th and has consistently come up 4 points per year with almost no prep (making larger and smaller individual score gains) and is very zen with the process now. He is taking the PSAT as a jr this fall and we will go into actual ACT prep mode after that for a hopefully final ACT in the spring.
@FlyerDad, is he studying for the SAT/PSAT? I would have him concentrate on that first. If he’s a very good test-taker, a high score on the PSAT may open doors for merit money when he is applying for colleges. My Ds both took the SAT in the fall of their junior years, so I don’t think that’s too early to test.
Take the test. My daughter took in December of her junior year. a 36 and was done! It was so nice not thinking about the ACT and she could focus on her classes, ECs, and then AP tests and subject tests. My other child took early in junior year too. If they are taking practice tests and doing well- just take it.
@MusakParent only problem with taking them year after year is that some schools will require you to submit ALL of them - talent search or not. I would never advise anyone to take a real ACT as a baseline. You can get real tests in a practice book and then sit at home and take it under very similar conditions to see how you do.
There are even some free real practice tests online (you can print them) for the ACT. I took it in August of my Junior year after taking and studying all 5 free online tests (why would you not study??) and like @LvMyKids2 got a 36 and was “one and done”
I took the SAT subject tests the following June (at the end of my school year), and annoyingly, had to take the SAT for NMF confirmation. I took that August of my Senior year. I like not having tests during the school year.