Should I take the ACT again?

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Chicago ✅
1

<p>I am a senior and I have taken the SAT twice (both times I didn't study) which is no excuse, but I got horrible scores:</p>

<p>CR:620, M:540, W: 600= 1760
CR: 570, M:540, W:620= 1730
Or superscored which would be 1780.</p>

<p>I also took the ACT in the spring of my junior year, which I got a 25 (R:29, W:25, M:24, S: 22).</p>

<p>The reason I am wondering if I should take it again is because I really want to go to the UofChicago, and I want to know if I should take the ACT in Feb. (they accept it for RD), and I do feel like I could do better if I study. </p>

<p>Any thoughts?</p>

2

<p>Would taking it again, this time in Feb. (even though the website say the college will accept the scores), hurt my chances?</p>

3

<p>I wouldn’t worry it hurting your chances. If I were you, I would worry more about getting at least a 32 on the ACT. Even if it is late, it is much better than a 1730 SAT, which is well outside of Chicago’s admitted students range.</p>

4

<p>Thank you. I will definitely be taking the February ACT.</p>

5

<p>These tests really aren’t the kind of test you “study” for. You either know the stuff or you don’t. Just don’t be surprised when your score hasn’t jumped 7 points.</p>

6

<p>Suppose abindley01 sent both ACT and SAT scores, and he retook the ACT and managed to get a 32-34. Would that exceptional score override the mediocre SAT scores?</p>

7

<p>As an accepted student who sent a below average SAT (I think it was 2070-so, relatively strong on its own but below Chicago’s standards) but a 34 ACT, I can say that a high score on one test will most likely cause the admissions staff to think that you either were more well prepared for one test or just had a bad testing day. In that sense the high test score can more or less “override” the low one.</p>

<p>But I’m suggesting that the people here don’t have a very good understanding of the ACT’s scoring system, because the difference between a 25 and a 32 is HUGE and the 32 is probably (with all due respect) not obtainable from the evidence presented here.</p>

8

<p>It certainly is possible, but I mean… The student was probably dying in the middle of the first test, and is now in prime condition for this one with preparation for the format of the test in order for a leap of this stature to occur… In practicality, I agree with OxalisWombo, there is little to no chance of that happening.</p>

<p>Doesn’t hurt to try, but just know that it probably won’t happen. It is certainly possible to get a few points (like 3-4) with a good amount of studying though.</p>

<p>But a key thing to note for the ACT/SAT is this: For the most part, the SAT tests one’s innate test-taking abilities. The ACT, however, emphasizes more on what the student has learned in English and Math classes, and less on how well that student can read a question. Studying is more beneficial on the ACT than it is on the SAT.</p>

9

<p>I mean, this student has taken 3 standardized tests (that he’s told us about), and got scores that were just above average each time. That’s probably where the student belongs, regardless of studying. At an extremely selective school like UChicago, scores like these are enough to get you thrown out in the first round. This is as good an indicator as any that he (maybe she, sorry) should focus on a more realistic college choice.</p>

10

<p>This is, of course, assuming that this particular student isn’t an athletic superstar.</p>

11

<p>“This is, of course, assuming that this particular student isn’t an athletic superstar.”</p>

<p>They’re not going to accept anyone with a 25 on their ACT, not even LeBron.</p>

12

<p>Never thought UChicago recruited athletes… lol</p>

13

<p>As a recruited athlete, I can tell you that the U of C does recruit, but obviously they don’t give out offers, nor do they have slots. The coaches simply will write a letter or simply tell admissions they want you (if they do), and it would be considered as a strong extracurricular (I believe)…I was also recruited by Amherst, and they have a slot system and can basically tell you if it’s a go or not based on what admissions tells them. At the U of C, this is NOT the case, and athletes ALL get in based on their academic merit, their athletics basically counting as a strong extracurricular.</p>

14

<p>^ umm…coaches defiantly do have slots.</p>

15

<p>You could get your score up by a few points by taking it again, so definitely try it!</p>

<p>Should I take the ACT again?
I got a 30 (33 math, 29 writing, 29 reading, and 28 science) I was usually breaking 30 on all of my practice readings. </p>

<p>I am really interested in UChicago as well, it’s my top choice, but don’t think my chances seem favorable with this score.</p>

16

<p>Well if you think you could get a better score, why wouldn’t you? I agree, your 30 definitely doesn’t help your application.</p>

17

<p>To respond to an above comment, and this is a quote from the PSAC:</p>

<p>“The ACT range of all admitted students for the Class of 2014 was 23-36, with the middle 50% being 30-34.”</p>

<p>So a student either wrote a new gospel for his essay or athletics might play a small role.</p>

18

<p>To the above post:</p>

<p>There is no major athletic recruiting at UChicago. They wouldn’t accept Devin Hester with a 23 ACT, it’s probably some kid who’s the son of someone on the board of trustees.</p>