Should I delete my lowest ACT score? (34, 35, then 30)

Test Preparation ACT Preparation
1

<p>I took the ACT my sophomore year and made a composite score of 34. I took it again Junior year and made a composite score of 35. Then, my school had a day where it was administered to all juniors, and I made a 30.</p>

<p>I should explain that last one. I'm a slow and careful reader who requires a great deal of concentration on the reading and science sections. Although the testing was limited to one wing of our high school to limit disturbances, that worked against me: My classroom started the reading section early while 400 other Juniors were on break yelling in the halls. My concentration broke and I didn't even get to the last passage; then by the time I got to the science section I was too panicky to do well. My subscores in reading and science were around 25 each, down from 34 and 35, respectively.</p>

<p>I told my test administrator that I didn't want my test to be scored, and he referred me to a group of teachers in charge of administering the test. They all told me that since this ACT test was paid for by the state (TN), I couldn't cancel it. I'm pretty sure that's BS, but then one teacher started chewing me out until I started crying, after which she continued to chew me out. I had to leave school.</p>

<p>Anyway, will I be negatively affected by my final ACT score, or will colleges not even see it? If it matters, the first two tests I took were ACT plus writing, and this test did not have a writing component.</p>

<p>If the 30 will reflect on me negatively, then should I send a deletion request to the ACT? They have a means to do this here: Frequently</a> Asked Questions | How do I delete a test date record? | ACT Student</p>

<p>Thanks.</p>

2

<p>If it’s that easy, I don’t see why not. However, I have to wonder if there’s some sort of catch to it - are colleges able to see that you removed the score?</p>

3

<p>It’s not extremely easy. You have to mail them a request. They mail you back a form which you must fill out and send back to them.</p>

<p>While I don’t know if colleges can see this, I also don’t know whether a benefit exists. I believe colleges only have access to the ACT score report that you choose to submit, but I would feel far more comfortable if this belief were confirmed unequivocally here.</p>

4

<p>If the high school required this ACT, then they will probably put this score on your transcript. So, I would try to cancel it if I could. However, your other scores are so good, just make sure they are on there too, if you are unable to cancel it. Colleges say they primarily look at your highest score and with 2 scores so close, I think they would realize that you just had a bad day. I hope everything works out for you!</p>

5

<p>Depends on what schools you are applying to, they will say on the websites whether they want ALL ACT scores or you have a choice to send in selected ones. By the way, can you still delete your score now? I thought you would have to do it within a certain time frame, usually within a few days of the test.</p>

6

<p>I would not worry about it. You have proven twice you can score much higher than that. The admission office may think you were sick or something during the last attempt.</p>