Hi,
I took the ACT for the first time in December and got a 34. For the most part, I’m really happy about this score, but my ELA and STEM subscores were really imbalanced. I got a 36 on English and Reading (somehow) but a 33 on Math (I usually get 34+ on practice tests) and a 31 on Science (I have gotten 35 before). My issue is that I may want to go into public health and business, which are very interrelated with the STEM field and less of ELA. This is the average ACT score of admitted students to colleges I want to get into (US top 20), but I kind of want to make up for my grades to a small extent by doing extremely well on standardized testing.
I could definitely retake it and try again for better Math and Science scores, but I really can’t guarantee on getting the 36s again (especially on Reading), and I am kind of concerned about bringing these subscores down for the next test (and also bringing down the whole composite score) for the schools that require all test scores to be sent in (like Yale and the UC’s). However, it may be worth it to try for a better score in general, especially for superscore schools (like Duke and UPenn) in which I think it could be possible to get a superscore of 36.
I may be taking the SAT and the Math II and Biology M subject tests, so I don’t know if retaking is necessary. It may not be worth the risk of bringing down my composite score (do subscores going down matter? if it’s a 4+ point difference?).
Thank you so much!
It’s not possible to make a good recommendation in a vacuum, without knowing your uw GPA and course rigor, among other things. If your uw GPA in core courses is below a 3.5, for example, I would not retake…generally test scores will not make up for a lower gpa. Take a look at which of your potential schools superscore as well.
Taking subject tests is a good idea for T20s, for some they are even required (CMU, MIT). Good science subject tests show higher mastery than the ACT Science section, which really primarily tests reading.
Make sure to spend as much time identifying match schools as reach schools, and have at least one affordable safety.
Hi,
I’m planning on taking 9-10 APs by the end of senior year (at the end of junior year, I’ll have completed 4). With a 3.8 uw GPA, I’ve still considered many other target and safety schools but was just addressing this post towards more reach schools in general.
If I’m already planning on taking the SAT and subject tests, would it be beneficial to retake the ACT if I’m planning on submitting all scores? I just don’t want to decrease in my composite score (my main question was if it mattered if my English and Reading weren’t 36’s on the retake).
Thanks again for your feedback.
Hi,
I’m planning on taking 9-10 APs by the end of senior year (at the end of junior year, I’ll have completed 4). With a 3.8 uw GPA, I’ve still considered many other target and safety schools but was just addressing this post towards more reach schools in general.
If I’m already planning on taking the SAT and subject tests, would it be beneficial to retake the ACT if I’m planning on submitting all scores? I just don’t want to decrease in my composite score (my main question was if it mattered if my English and Reading weren’t 36’s on the retake).
Thanks again for your feedback.