Should I cancel the December ACT?

Test Preparation
1

The first time I took the ACT I got a 31 last school year. I retook in October 2016 and just got my scores today. I ran out of time to study and just assumed I would do terribly, so I signed up for the December ACT prior to getting my scores (deadline closed before the score release).

Well I got my scores today and got a 34. I’m flabbergasted and never could have imagined I would improve so much without significant studying. My score breakdown is as follows:

Math - 34
Reading - 34
English - 34
Science - 33

I’m interested in schools like Stanford, Harvard, MIT, etc. I’m at least at the 50th percentile for all of these schools with my composite and thus thinking I don’t really need to retake it. I wouldn’t want my score to go down though, so if I did choose to retake it, I’d probably shoot for a 35 and really good essay score. I don’t have a lot of time this next month though and would really prefer not to take it. Honestly I feel a lot of this stuff comes down to chance and am worried I’d just end up with another 34 superscore no matter how much I study.

You can’t get a refund on the ACT unfortunately (except for the optional essay portion), so I’m debating whether I should cancel it or study up and just take it in December? I don’t have a ton of time and would honestly prefer to just eat the money, but was wondering what you all think? Is it worth the time to retake? Is my score good enough for my top colleges I’m interested in?

2

I’d cancel the Dec test. That 34 will get your foot in the door everywhere. Spend the rest of your time on other parts of your applications.

3

Cancel for sure. Good luck.

4

Wow, awesome job! I think a 34 puts you in a good position for those schools and it ultimately comes down to the other components of your application once you score that high, so I’d cancel.

5

Cancel!

6

Wow, congratulation. I took ACT test on Oct 22, 2016, but until today, I don’t see where the score report is. (I am sorry, this is the 1st time I work with ACT webpage). I just see the following:

October 2016 Internatl The ACT with writing Registered
When will scores be ready?

Please advise me where I can find my score report.

Thank you so much.

7

Congrats. If you do not have time to study, then you should not retake. Just so you know, the ACT not only does not give a refund it also does not allow you to cancel your reservation. I had already registered my DD for te Apr '16 test date when she received her Feb '16 scores. Every time I log in to send scores, I see a link that says make changes to your registration under the April test date.