<p>I took the ACT for the first time in April 2010 and got a 31.
I didn't study that much -- I just borrowed a ACT book from school and did a couple of the practice problems.</p>
<p>Composite: 31
Reading: 33
Writing: 33
Math: 32
Science: 25 >>>>>>>>>>> This is mainly why I want to retake!! :(
I want to major in Biochemistry or Nutrition and this science score is just embarassing.
I just want to improve my science score since I thought it was so low.
Should I go for it? Or should I just stick with my 31?</p>
<p>Just some background information:
My dream school is Cornell University -- planning to apply there ED.
I have a 2150 SAT and I'm not planning on retaking.
I live in Japan atm but I'm a US Permanent Resident. I lived in the US for 10 years.
I'm fluent in English and Japanese.
My international school's scattergrams show me that Cornell is a reach/fit.</p>
<p>A higher score will definitely help me in this case..right? Thanks in advance.</p>
<p>It could, but it depends on what score you actually get. A 32/33 won’t help as much as, say, a 34/35/36 since you already have a 2150 SAT.</p>
<p>But if I were you, I would definitely retake it. Your other scores are solid, and with a little practice, you could possibly increase all of them. If you can, buy the Real ACT and practice under normal testing conditions. After you’ve finished each test, thoroughly review your answers to see what you’re doing wrong so that you can avoid the same mistakes on the next test. </p>
<ul>
<li>As far as science goes, do NOT read the introductory material; just go straight to the questions and use the given graphs/data tables/charts as references. For the debating scientists section, though, read each person’s opinion (while underlining the significant parts – “doesn’t believe in global warming” ) and then answer the questions. *</li>
</ul>
<p>This seriously helps, I went from getting 32s in Science on practice tests (and the real test) to 35s just by skipping that confusing intro crap. Haven’t taken the real test again yet though</p>
<p>Thank you Vince011 for your descriptive science tip! Science is so hard to finish on time because…I guess it seems like there’s so much information I have to know before I tackle the problems! I’ll go for the problems straight away. I definitely want a 34/35/36! I have a feeling it can be accomplished. :)</p>
<p>Oh thanks 1finite, good luck to you too! :D</p>
<p>Considering your science score compared to the rest of your scores, I’d say if you really study science pretty hard, you’ll improve on your next ACT score. I had the same problem except with reading (for example, 34 E, 35 M, 31 S, and 21 R <– yikes! so a 30 overall). I eventually pulled that 30 up to a 35 overall by nailing the reading section. So, do the same with science, and you’ll be in good shape. It’ll take a lot of work, though, so don’t falter.</p>
<p>Wow Peytoncline, thank you for your post. That’s a great improvement, congratulations.
I’ll definitely practice science the most! Also, I’ll make sure I practice the other sections as well so I can do just as well as my first time or better.</p>
<p>@1000- I’m in a similar situation, except the killer section for me is English, so I will be practicing that over the summer and aiming for a 33/34 next time. I think you can definitely pull off a 30+ on science if you just practice.</p>
<p>^I agree that it’s worth a retake, but I wouldn’t say it’s the easiest to improve on. After all, unlike the english and math section, the science cannot be studied for.</p>
<p>^ It’s easiest to improve on because so many people don’t realize that you don’t have to read the passages. Reading the passages kills time, which causes low scores. It can’t be studied for because there’s really nothing to study. I’d say that’s easy.</p>
<p>I got a 25 on my science too :(((((((
I have to retake even though everything else was a 34,35,35…
What about the conflicting viewpoint passages? Don’t you HAVE to read those as if they were reading passages?</p>
<p>^Yes, that is the exception. For me, that is the easiest part of the science section. I just read each viewpoint, underline the significant parts of each person’s argument, and answer the questions. </p>
<p>If that doesn’t work for you, then maybe you could just read person #1’s viewpoint and then answer all of the questions pertaining to him. After that, you could do the same thing with person #2 and answer any questions that may ask about both of them together (person #1 and person #2 would most likely agree on which of the following… stuff like that).</p>
