<p>I am aiming for top schools like Stanford; I know that 34 falls within the range of schools like Stanford, but I am wondering if a 35 or 36 would actually be a tangible advantage. While I feel that I am capable of getting better scores in English and Reading, I do not think I could get a 36 in science again. If I retook the ACT and got a better reading score but a worse science score (maybe a 34 or 35), would this look bad to colleges? I am leaning toward not retaking the ACT, but I want to know if the reading score will hurt in the long run. Thank you, any help would be great!</p>
<p>I wouldn’t retake the ACT. You’re in the top 1% I believe with that score, and getting any higher won’t make that much of a difference on your app. Your lowest score is in the English section, however, IMO, I would think that schools such as Stanford would worry more about having a low math score on the ACT or SAT than a low English score. </p>
<p>At this point, I would say that the colleges won’t be focusing as much on your scores as much as they will on the rest of your application. I would make sure to focus on essays, extracurricular strengths, and other testing - like the SAT II’s if you have them to take, just to make sure that you can be the most well-rounded candidate you can be. </p>
<p>I wouldn’t retake your Math II with a 790, that’s very good, but I would really focus on the other SAT II, as you know preferably a science test to most colleges if you’re entering the science majors, and make sure that you can succeed the most on that. </p>
<p>@npswimmer44 wow, thank you for the great reply. I will be taking one of the science subject tests (either physics or bio since I’m currently taking AP physics and AP bio), hopefully I can get an 800 on it. Thanks!</p>
<p>You really don’t need to retake. That score puts you in for a solid and it would be better to focus on the other aspects of your application. The difference between 34, 35, and 36’s are negligible. However, you can retake if you wish. I really don’t think a higher score would make much difference. However, with the way the ACT works, on all those sections that you didn’t get a 36, your like, 1-2 questions away from it. IMHO, once you get to a 34, what separates you from a higher score is more luck than knowledge (not every case, but most) so with that in mind, you could retake for the heck of it and come out with a better score for kicks. It definitely isn’t necessary, but wouldn’t really hurt either if your felt compelled to do so.</p>
<p>ACT 34 is a great score, however, if you feel you can do better, there is no reason not to retake it. For admission purpose, the advantage may be small, but for merit aids at many schools, a 1-2 point increase will have a drastic effect. Just think about your time schedule and how likely you will get a better score. If there are other things you need to do that are essential for your college application or admission, you should set the priority for those first.</p>
<p>Since you’re a junior, it probably wouldn’t hurt to take the test once more, and to sit for the SAT reasoning tests at least once. Those are excellent scores, and are good enough for almost any college in the US, and so you don’t have to obsess about improving. Focus on your classes and extracurricular activities, rather than on the tests - you already have one set of scores that most students would kill for, and so you have nothing to lose.</p>
<p>@billcsho thank you for the reply. I took the ACT plus writing. I am aware that certain schools require the writing portion. If I retook the ACT, would I have to retake it with the writing section in order for the retake to be eligible? Depending on my writing score for the first test (which hasn’t come out yet) I may not want to retake the writing portion. </p>