Retaking the ACT and SAT?

Test Preparation
1

Hi! I am a rising senior and of course, I thought my scores were good enough my first time through. I got a 1250/1600 on my SAT and 25 on my ACT (24 Math, 22 Science, 22 Writing, 27 Reading). Now, looking back, I realize that I need more competitive scores to get into Michigan State University, especially with my math, because I’m going into engineering.

I’ve always been really good at math, but the 24 was my first time through and I went into it as a practice for my SAT, not intending to send the score for it necessarily. I hadn’t known what to study and pretty much went into it blind. So now, I am obviously going to make sure I study a lot of the geometric formulas, systems of inequalities, matrices, etc etc etc.

My question is, since I was planning on doing the early application for MSU (deadline Nov. 1), will retaking these tests hinder that? The ACT test is Sept. 10th and the SAT is Oct. 1. Would I be able to turn in my application, and they will still accept my new scores? Thanks!

2

Check MSU’s website. These schools are very good about telling you which are the last test dates they’ll accept before the deadline. If they don’t have the info. online then call them and ask.

3

Your scores should arrive in time. MSU uses your best test date (no superscoring), so you’ll want to list them as a score recipient at registration. I don’t find a “least test date” area of their website – that’s unusual – but it’s better to get in your application and update your scores than it is to miss a deadline.