<p>My son's ACT scores have posted and they are very low. His SATs were very low as well. He has no apps in yet since we were hoping that he would do better on this last test. I'm looking for ideas. He has a solid GPA (3.8-3.9 unweighted) and several ECs and volunteer hours. No sports. He attended a small private school until this year, his senior year. He took a class at our local community college over the summer and liked it so well he asked to do his senior year there instead. He has made all A's there so far, taking freshman English, math, psychology and chemistry.</p>
<p>His actual diploma will be home schooled so there is no class rank. The GC and teachers from his old school are willing to write recs. He would like a smaller school somewhere in the mid-Atlantic area. Ideas, please? </p>
<p>I realize that he can stay at community college and transfer later and that may be the best option but can anyone give me some possibilities?</p>
<p>What do you mean by “very low”? I ask because on CC, there are parents and teenagers who have an inflated idea of what a good score is – over the years I have seen posters who are distressed over a 34 on the ACT (since they wanted a 36), or an SAT score under 2100.</p>
<p>Agree with calmom…what are “very low” test scores?
That being said, there are plenty of test optional colleges and he could look into those schools</p>
<p>Agree with Calmom. The GCs at our kids’ school recommend kids with ACTs below 21 to start at a CC although There are some regional public 4 year schools in every state I’m sure that admit kids with ACTs as low as 18. Low is a relative term so if you are looking for concrete advice you’d almost need to say what you consider low. It sounds like he is doing well in comparison to kids at the CC so perhaps your best bet is to look for test optional colleges or colleges that do except lower ACTs or put less weight on standardized test scores.</p>
<p>Is it possible to get a copy of the test book and answers so you can analyze where he goes wrong? It is such a disconnect with his CC grades that you must be scratching your head!</p>
<p>To answer other questions: Major is undecided. Writing is a strength. We are in VA. Budget is somewhat flexible. He is our youngest and we are not tapped out but would naturally like to keep it reasonable. One sister went to a 30-35,000 dollar/yr. school, one is at a state univ. for much less. We’d like to keep costs in line with them. If we had to go higher for the right school we would.</p>
<p>As with any other unexpected academic event (positive or negative) the key is to figure out why it occurred. Any help you can get from the College Board and ACT people will be good. Did your S take any AP courses? How were his scores on the AP tests? You may also want to speak with your school’s Guidance Staff to see what the school’s grading history is. Some schools are getting ridiculous handing out A’s. (Two years ago 90% of my D’s class had overall GPA of 4.0. The school does seem to be getting tougher … this year only 75% of the students have a 4.0!)</p>
<p>An important reason to get this scoring issue figured out now, is that you don’t want to have a performance issue surface while your S is in college. Good luck with your investigations.</p>
<p>His school did not offer AP classes but did offer Honors, which he took. They were not generous with those A’s, he was third in his class when he left.</p>
<p>I think the idea of finding out exactly what he got wrong on his tests is a good idea and I plan to follow up on that. One known issue is that he will not leave a problem that he isn’t sure he got right. He keeps thinking about it, changing his answer, until he runs out of time. He also admits to “nodding off” during the ACTs. GC suggested that either we stressed too much for him to relax or that it was a coping mechanism. </p>
<p>He has agreed to take SATs again but we are running out of time and I’m not sure he would do any better. I don’t recall the scores off the top of my head but they were better than these ACTs. It would be a waste if he persists in sticking on problems and not moving on. </p>
<p>His actual grades are more indicative of his ability because he works hard to learn the material. If he can’t study before the test in his mind, at least, he thinks he doesn’t know it.</p>
<p>One known issue is that he will not leave a problem that he isn’t sure he got right. He keeps thinking about it, changing his answer, until he runs out of time. He also admits to “nodding off” during the ACTs.</p>
<p>There lies his issues…</p>
<p>But, I have to ask…if he won’t “move on” when he’s unsure of an answer, then how the heck did he get great grades? Certainly when he takes tests for his classes he runs into questions that he’s not sure of. so, why doesn’t he “run out of time” when taking a school test and fail those as well?</p>
<p>I would suggest having his see some kind of therapist to deal with his issue of being unable to “move on” to the next question.</p>
<p>Can you get a book of practice tests so that he can practice answering the easy questions first, then the medium, and lastly the hard? Can you sit next to him during the practice to encourage him to move on if you see him taking too long?</p>
<p>Is he ready to handle being independent and living on his own? Can he handle the stresses (transition, dorm life, socializing, meeting deadlines, midterms, finals, total responsibility for everything, etc.) of being at a 4 year residential college? Would another year at community college be beneficial for him in terms of maturity?</p>
<p>I’d recommend taking the ACT again in Feb and April. I’m sure his scores will improve and many schools are still accepting students after that point. My D’s score went up 5 points in the 3 times she took the ACT.</p>
<p>You say his actual diploma will be home schooled, is that what you’re saying on the college applications? If that is the case then SAT or ACT optional schools will most likely not work for you as most schools need standardized testing for home schooled kids. Sorry.</p>
<p>If his scores are better on the SAT I would have him retake those and forget about the ACT. Is he a slow reader? The ACT is not a good test for slow readers. I would also strongly suggest hiring a private tutor. A good tutor will teach him the test strategy as well as subject matter. Call your local high school for some recommendations. There are usually a few teachers who tutor in their off hours. My son went up 4 points on his ACT and 250 on his SAT CR & M after tutoring.</p>