<p>I got a 35 overall on my ACT, with the following subject scores:
Reading - 35
Math - 36
English - 35
Science - 34</p>
<p>However, my essay score is only an 8, which I feel is not up to par. Should I retake the ACT to try and boost my essay score?</p>
<p>I wouldn’t retake it.</p>
<p>No. It’s not worth $50 to try to get an essay score up. Furthermore, it is likely that your overall score would decline because in most cases the difference between a 34 and 35 or 35 and 36 is a dumb mistake or two and meticulouness is kind of difficult over a three hour test. Plus it looks too try hard to retake a 35.</p>
<p>My D got almost exact the same scores (just switch the section scores of Math and English) at her first attempt in March, and she is not going to retake it. Many schools do not look at the writing (or combined writing) scores. Although the essay score can be easily improved, the other section scores may go up or down (more likely as there is little room the other way). My D got a 5 in AP Eng & Comp (top 10.3%) which may compensate her low essay score a little bit. But she has decided not to retake several months before she got her AP score. It is not worth the money and effort for some minor imperfection with uncertain outcome. The cost is going to be more than the $50 if you apply to any schools that want all scores sent as you pay for each report for ACT.</p>