Hi all, first post. I recently scored a 34 composite ACT in June. The breakdown is as follows: 36 english, 35 math, 32 reading, and 33 science. Do you think it’s worth the time (and risk of a lower score) to retake in hopes of a 35+ in September? Is a 35 viewed that much different than a 34? I’ve been reviewing recently but my reading scores on practice tests have increased a little bit, with science pretty much stagnant. My SAT is 2210 (660 CR, 770 M, 780 W), so for places that require either/or, I’m thinking about just sending the ACT. Btw, I’m thinking of applying to Yale early this fall, and sending only the ACT score (self-report subject tests on Common App). Thanks!
No. Focus time and energy on apps and school. The difference in score won’t make or break you once you are at 33/34.
From everything I have heard and seen, once you are at a 34, you are pretty much done; there is no benefit to taking it again for college admissions competitiveness. Yale will use the score to check that you will keep up if you are admitted; then moves on to the rest of your application to decide if you are a good fit. 34 certainly accomplishes that goal.
Here is a twist: For applying to competitive scholarships, where the awarding panel may be much less sophisticated than the admissions department of a university, is it worth it to re-take?
That is, is it likely that if a school gives out 10 (or fewer) of a certain class of competitive scholarship, they will give a higher ranking/score to a 36 than to a 34?
I could certainly envision a scheme where an applicant is given a numerical score for GPA + Test Scores; one for Essays; and one for Interview which are then added together for a final score and the top 10 get the nod. In this case, shooting for a higher composite score may make all the difference.
FWIW, I think this is not an informed way to make this sort of selection, but I could certainly believe it if someone told me it is how they do it.
Any thoughts or opinions?
More importantly, any actual insight or experience?
Thanks @HRSMom & @ItsJustSchool. I should probably save myself some trouble from retaking it
34 in june here too. high five bud
Don’t bother. For all intents and purposes, a 34 and a 36 are practically the same. It’s like the difference between .999 and 1.000. You’d have a better shot at getting into your ideal school if the time you spent studying for the ACT was spent on studying, writing essays, or sleeping.
Congratulations on a great score.
Do you have a writing score? ACT Plus Writing test is required for admission.
Yale also requires ALL of your test scores, so If you do not think you can stud properly and improve, I would leave it be and work on other aspects of your application