<p>I took the ACT in June and got a composite score of 34 (33 English, 35 Math, 34 Reading, 34 Science.)</p>
<p>I'm perfectly fine with a 34, but all of the schools that I am going to apply to allow ScoreChoice and a few of the schools would recalculate my composite score if any of my subsections go up. </p>
<p>So, because there's nothing to lose (except some money and a Saturday morning), do you think that I should retake the ACT in September and possibly get a 35 Composite with SuperScore?</p>
<p>P.S. If it makes any difference, I already have an SAT score of 2330 (800CR, 770M, 760W) </p>
<p>P.S.S. The most selective schools on my list have a 34 Composite as the 75th percentile, so a 35 could make a big difference. </p>
<p>A 35 will be better than a 34, and a 36 will be better than a 35; if you think you can do better then you should retake it. I got a 2310 on my first SAT and while I was very happy with that score, I had a feeling I could do better. People told me not to, that I was fine as I was (and I was), but I went ahead and took it because I didn’t have that much to lose. I think I made a pretty good decision as I scored a 2400, which when you’re competing with so many accomplished peers is better than a low 2300, if only slightly. So yes, I think you should give it a shot and go for a perfect because you never know. Hope this helps</p>
<p>You already have a 2330, which is ACT equivalent of a 35. Since some colleges don’t even consider the writing portion, your score of 1570 (CR+M) is already impressive.
I suppose if you have ABSOLUTELY nothing else to do that Saturday morning, I can’t stop you, but why bother when you can spend that time in something else more productive or fun? </p>
<p>If I were you, I wouldn’t. Your SAT score is already more competitive than your ACT, so unless the college wants you to send both (or prefers ACT), I would recommend just sending that. </p>
<p>It also depends on the amount of prep you did for the ACT. I didn’t study or take any practice tests beforehand and got a composite of 35, so if I studied more then there’s a high probability that I could do better (having a better understanding of what they may ask, being more comfortable with the style of question they ask, ect). But if you have already prepped a lot, the margin of improvement will most likely be a lot smaller. </p>
<p>But overall 34 is a really great score, and I wouldn’t retake if I were you.</p>
<p>No need to retake, a 34 is the 99th percentile. I’m assuming that you’re going to apply to schools such as the Ivies or Stanford who require all of your schools and retaking who have more of a negative impact that a positive one. To them you might appear to be a bit obsessive, so just work on the other parts of your application. </p>
<p>Why are you considering wasting your time? You already said a 34 is at the 75%ile. You really think that’s going to hurt you in the admission equation? Really?</p>
<p>I have a new question:
When you send your SAT/ACT scores to a college, does the college see the date(s) that you took the test(s)? </p>
<p>I would retake the ACT if the schools I’m applying to don’t see my test date(s) but I don’t want to retake in September if schools see the test dates because I would look very test-oriented.</p>
<p>@QuadMaster I’m not applying to any schools that don’t have ScoreChoice so that’s not really an issue. </p>
<p>@"Erin’s Dad" I don’t think that a 34 would hurt me. I just think that a 35 would help me. Also, my english section is pretty low considering that it’s one of the two important sections (which, unfortunately, I didn’t know before the test.)</p>
<p>Yes. The test date is provided. When you send SAT scores, all previous attempts are also sent. ACT you can pick and choose. Read the university’s guidelines on how they work with your scores and send only the one that looks best for you.</p>
<p>If you read collegeboard or university websites, they recommend max 2 attempts. Doing more won’t harm, but you will appear test-oriented.</p>
<p>Look at the 25/75 SAT/ACT percentile of that university. Criteria is to be at the 75th or higher and admissions will look at other stuff like essays and EC. The only reason to score higher from the 75th percentile is you are looking for higher probability of getting merit scholarships.</p>
<p>Again you have to be aware that some applications with a ACT 35 or 36 have gotten rejected by the Ivys. </p>
<ol>
<li>Your english score is great.</li>
<li>The rest of your application must be subpar considering you would waste your time taking another ACT or SAT.</li>
</ol>