<p>I took the ACT with writing my first time, and I want to have another go. However, I'm not sure if I need retake the writing part. Will it somehow look bad that I took it with writing the first time and not the second? I got an 8 the first time, and I've heard that the writing score doesn't matter too much, even to most top colleges. Essentially, if it matters, I'll write another essay; if not then I'd rather not waste another hour and $14. Also, I've taken the SAT and so I have the essay score for that as well, if that would change the answer.</p>
<p>If the college requires the ACT w/ writing, then you wither need to retake the test with writing and send the new score OR send your old score. You will not be able to combine the scores from the two tests (i.e. use your composite from one test with the writing score from another test). Or if your SAT is high enough, you can usually send that instead of the ACT w/ writing, but you will probably need to take a few SAT Subject Tests.</p>