Retake with a 34?

Test Preparation
1

<p>I am an incoming junior, and recently took the ACT for the first time. My scores are as follows:</p>

<p>Composite: 34
English: 32
Math: 35
Reading: 36
Science: 31
Combined English/Writing: 30 (I got a 9 on the writing.)</p>

<p>There is definitely room for improvement. Taking this test pretty early, I assumed I would be retaking it a number of times. However, a 34 is a pretty solid score. Would colleges perceive me as extremely anal if I retook the test? I'm not an overly obsessive person, but my writing score is a little on the low side, and it would be nice to try to get that up. I have plenty of time to retake, but I just don't know. What do you suggest?</p>

2

<p>Don't bother! 34 is a 99th Percentile score. That means that most colleges will see your score as perfect! Well done. </p>

<p>Instead of retaking the ACT, take the SAT. Taking both tests and scoring in the 99th percentile will help your application quite a bit.</p>

3

<p>^ disagree
I don't think that two scores are any better than one.</p>

<p>It is true, however, that the OP might score better on the SAT, so that might be worth a try.
He can take the ACT as many times as he wants, and only send in the best score. </p>

<p>
[quote]
Would colleges perceive me as extremely anal if I retook the test?

[/quote]

With the ACT you can choose which scores to send, so they would never have to know how many times you took it.</p>

<p>If you are the class of 2010 -- you will have score choice for the SAT, as well. So you can take that as many times as you wish, and only send in the scores you want to.</p>

4

<p>There is little reason to retake the ACT if you already have a 34. There is good reason to take the SAT if you test that well, and that is to be in the running for the National Merit Scholarship. You take the PSAT to start that process, and you take the SAT sometime between the beginning of junior year and the middle of senior year, and you're golden.</p>

5

<p>@tokenadult - I totally forgot about that! Yeah, you gotta take the SAT for the national merit scholarship. :)</p>

6

<p>
[quote]
Taking both tests and scoring in the 99th percentile will help your application quite a bit.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>And the source for this assertion is?</p>

7

<p>While no colleges prefer one test over another at this point, having extremely high scores on both exams opens up the greatest number of possibilities for the student. </p>

<p>As you no doubt know, college admissions is too balkanized a field to have any advice be universal. But in my experience, students who put the effort into mastering both tests stand out as driven, capable students on their applications.</p>

<p>Of course, your mileage may vary.</p>

8

<p>Congrats on your great score! I don't think you need to retake it, but try taking the SAT and see how that goes.</p>

9

<p>
[quote]
Taking both tests and scoring in the 99th percentile will help your application quite a bit.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>I'd like to hear your source for this assertion too, as this is not something I've ever heard from a college representative. </p>

<p><a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-search-selection/530012-fall-2008-events-where-students-can-meet-admission-officers.html%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-search-selection/530012-fall-2008-events-where-students-can-meet-admission-officers.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

10

<p>I'd say 34 is good enough. I'd agree--take SAT for NMS ops.</p>

11

<p>Yes, Schools now say that they have no preference between the SAT and the ACT---since I am an old timer with D , at that time the SAT was prefered---is it totally true that the admissionc have no prefence? Also --if you have a great ACT do you need to do the SAT II????</p>

12

<p>
[quote]
While no colleges prefer one test over another at this point, having extremely high scores on both exams opens up the greatest number of possibilities for the student.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>Mark: your statement is illogical. If the first clause is true, the second clause is null and void.</p>

13

<p>Admissions consider your best score out of both tests. That's it. Having high scores in both will NOT make you look better. However, being part of the National Merit Scholarship program will.</p>

14

<p>
[quote]
is it totally true that the admissionc have no prefence?

[/quote]
</p>

<p>Today that seems to be fully true, that colleges don't care whether you take the SAT or the ACT. Yale was one of the last hold-outs, and I have heard a Yale admission officer say that Yale doesn't care at all which test you take. Harvard hasn't cared at all for a long time.</p>

15

<p>Take SAT, see what score you get. After my son's experience this past year, it appeared to me that for scholarships, the high scores get the $. If to do it over again, would have urged son to work harder for the higher scores.</p>

16

<p>Thank you so much for all your information! I thought you only had to take the PSAT for National Merit- thanks for letting me know that the SAT is also necessary. Geeeez, so much to learn about the college process, eh? Also, how heavily do schools look at the writing portion of the ACT? Is a 9 and adequate score? (I'm REALLY not trying to be pretentious and attention-seeking with all of this, I'm just very very new to this!) Thanks so much!</p>

17

<p>Your college essays will show your writing ability, and possibly your SAT essay will too. A 9 on the ACT writing section is adequately high to be in the running at highly desirable colleges.</p>

18

<p>You also run the risk of attaining a lower score. I say keep the 34.</p>