<p>On my most recent ACT, I scored a 36 on all four of the bubbled sections, but only a 9 on Writing. I don't really know how this happened (I think I got extremely lucky on 3 of the 4 of the sections, and somewhat unlucky with Writing), but it did. I have heard that colleges tend not to care about standardized test scores, once the reach a certain level, but also that they care more about Writing than any other section. So, my question is, "Should I retake the test?"</p>
<p>On one hand, if I don't retake it, I can guarantee that all of my nice scores are consolidated on one test, so I don't need to worry about super-scoring at all. Also, I'll save both a Saturday and a huge chunk of time studying/</p>
<p>However, if I do retake it, I can get a much more balanced score. While I highly doubt I can get four more 36's, I do think I will improve my essay score by at least a point or two.</p>
<p>Thank you in advance for any help you can provide me in making this decision.</p>
<p>Disclaimer: I fully understand that the score I achieved is, by all reasonable standards, a very good score, and that I should very pleased to have gotten it. I am not at all making this thread to toot my own horn, but instead am looking for some honest advice.</p>
<p>No! A lot of schools do not superstore the ACT and rational people would scratch their heads at the thought of a student with a 36 retaking the test. A 9 is fine and probably average for selective schools. Move on to more important parts of your application. </p>
<p>Wait, is your composite score a 36? Is so, then absolutely NO. Also an essay score of 9 is good enough. </p>
<p>I had a friend in a similar but slightly worse situation than you. She got 800s on both writing and math on the SAT (which was apparently a huge positive shock for her), but her bad essay score brought her composite down from a 2330 to a 2290 (she wanted to break 2300 really badly). She had debated retaking and improving her essay (since only 10 more points would have satisfied her), but eventually a) was too lazy to retake it and b) just didn’t find it worth it. </p>
<p>She did (beyond) fine.</p>
<p>@Poohbah29
The words “fine” and “probably average” make me very nervous. How much will it hurt my chances at the top of the top schools in the country?</p>
<p>Don’t mean to make you nervous. Finish off the sentence… “probably average for selective schools” is a very different target. And fine is just fine. That’s a good thing. Would a 10-12 make you less nervous? Yes. Will it make a major difference in your total application. Highly unlikely and more probably a very clear no. </p>
<p>Seems the students on CC place far too much emphasis on standardized tests. Adcoms will spend a very small percentage of their time review test scores and they will simply want to know that your scores are in line with your grades and the general pool of students. The rule of thumb I use is “GPA and scores will get you in the pool, not in the school.” That is why kids with a 36/12 and all As are getting rejected at top schools. </p>
<p>Saw a video from a Tufts admissions director once that articulated the process best. There is a bar the students have to reach in order for them to advocate for “accept”. GPA and scores will never get you over the bar but they IMHO there is a diminishing return on investing more time into the ACT. Take your 36/9 and run with it. </p>