Should I take the ACT a third time after a three point increase?

Test Preparation
1

I took the ACT in Feb 2016 and got a 27 composite (E: 28, M: 27, R: 31, S: 23). I wasn’t happy with that so signed up for the September date and then shortly after my school gave me a fee wavier so I also went ahead and signed up for the October date before even taking my September one to avoid any late fees. Very recently I got my new scores and was shocked to find out that I got a 30 composite (E: 34, M: 28, E: 34, S: 22).

Now I have my next ACT on October 22 and my parents don’t think I should take it again since there’s the chance I might score lower than my 30 and we don’t know how that will reflect to schools if they see it. As of right now, my top choice schools are Duke or Brown (can’t decide!) so I feel that I should retest again since while I feel that my grades are bit lacking (I’m in the top 10% and an IB DP Candidate but I’ve gotten a couple of B’s and even 1 C).

If I take it a third time, I’m not expecting a big increase – just hopefully maybe a point or two. Scoring two 34’s honestly felt like a fluke and I don’t know if I can do that well again. As far as studying goes, I spent literally two days lightly preparing for my first exam, about a week for my second one, and now I have less than two weeks to study for this next one. What happens if I do worse? Any suggestions for what I should do?

Thanks.

2

I would take it again only because I’m not sure a 30 will cut it for either of those schools!

3

I don’t have a clear answer for you. What might decide it is what else you have to do in those two weeks. Grades are really important, and making a strong senior year showing is critical. If prepping for the ACT is going to get in the way of top grades, then don’t spend time on it. Also, if you are preparing an ED or EA application due November 1st, it’s probably more important to work in the application, because throwing it together at the last minute makes it very weak. If you have some time, you could take a full-length practice test, under time pressure, using an authentic ACT test out of one of the red books published by ACT. If in practices you are posting lower scores, don’t re-take the test - that means your hunch was right that the 30 was an unusually high score for you. Work on your school list and make sure you have schools where your scores are closer to the middle or top 50% of the class.

4

I guess you’re not aware that you can permanently delete any scores from any given month taken on a National Test date.

If you bomb your 3rd test, delete it. No one needs to see it.

5

For Duke and Brown I would retake to improve upon a 30. Good luck.

6

agree with the above on retaking it and delete it if you do not like the score.

7

You may end up with a high subscore on a different section and then that score can be used with your two 34s to produce a higher super score.

8

Take it and strive for a higher subscore in either math or science. Specific study in one of those sections could boost your composite significantly.

9

My son took it again. Morning of, questioned why he was taking it again as he already had a great score. Decided to go with no stress and not worry about it. Increased score by two points. Another friend only decided to take it one more time, again with a fantastic score. Ended up getting a 36!