Should I take the February ACT (soph)?

I really want to get testing out of the way early (other than the PSAT), and I feel like I have the chance to do that this February. I took an ACT practice test over the summer with no knowledge of the test, got 36 math 34 reading 33 ela 28 science (probably because I was unfamiliar with such science questions before). If I bring up my science score I think I can get in the 34/35 range.

And on actual test days, I perform much better than I do during practice (when prepping for the SSAT, I did rather mediocre in practice tests, like below 90th percentile, but got 98th percentile on the actual thing…I was so concentrated, focused, and confident in the actual test).

Fall sports season is over for me now so this would be the perfect time for me to study. And colleges don’t really care if you mess up early on a test, right? Don’t only a few colleges require you to report all scores?

Either way, I was wondering if this would be a good use of my time now, or if I should just push back all test prep to my junior/senior year. I’ve always hated procrastinating.

In general, I like your thought to take it early and get it out of the way but make sure you prep effectively before you take it. Re: the Science section, it’s more about how to read and analyze graphs/charts than any real knowledge of science. Explore tips on how to excel in test taking strategies.

The only caveat is that next year students will likely be able to take individual sections of the ACT and may impact how you might want to study for these “one-off” tests. For example, you might be better off waiting and studying for and taking one section at a time next year to maximize your scores in each section? My guess is that average scores in each section will go up dramatically and I can envision in a few years a 34 composite might be 85th percentile (vs. 99th percentile currently)?

The only risk is if you bomb and then have a big score increase that gets flagged, but if you prepare and are doing well on the practice tests, go for it. My D had a lot of friends who got their testing done early.

@momofsenior1 I don’t think that will be an issue with me, I’m confident I can get a very solid score the first time around

@socaldad2002 Would you recommend taking the test after they release this change, or should I proceed and get a baseline score? I never heard of this change until now, and it seems like it will change a lot.

A couple of comments: I’m not a fan of “baseline” scores. Prep like you only have one shot at a good score. You can always take a timed ACT practice test to get a feel for your “baseline” score without it being official.

Second, I’m not an expert in the new test format for the ACT so if I was you, I would spend some time researching the issue i.e. what do the new rules mean and what is the effective date, and in what light will colleges view these scores when allowed to take them individually?

I just don’t want you to spend a lot of time taking all 4 sections at the same time (and likely getting a lower overall score) than if you are allowed to take individual sections, one at a time next fall? You are only a sophomore, so maybe make your goal to complete the ACT by spring of Junior year? If you are a strong student you might be gunning for 35/36s in each section as I’m sure your academic peers will be doing the same.

@socaldad2002 From what I’ve read, it seems that section testing can only be done on retakes, meaning that I need to have an exam beforehand? Either way, I don’t think it would hurt me to take the exam this February…hopefully I can get 36 math and just focus on the other three.

Not all colleges superscore ACT.

Make sure you time your practice tests carefully. Time is a very important factor for accurate practice test scores.

@evergreen5 I did my practice test with the exact time. Time is not an issue for me, I work extremely fast, which is why I like the ACT better than the SAT. I finished all sections but the science with plenty of time left to spare.

I believe that the new changes for the ACT will also come with reporting a superscore for all colleges, but that also comes with reporting all of the scores that were involved to create the superscore. I think it was more of a marketing ploy than an improvement.

ACT cannot force all colleges to superscore ACT results, although that seems to be one of ACT’s objectives. What colleges are willing to accept is up to each college.

There is no need to sit for an official test until you feel your practice test scores show you are scoring at your highest potential.

@evergreen5 I just feel like I will only be busier and busier in the future, so best get it out of the way now. And there is no cap to anyone’s potential score, right? Anyone can work to get a 36. I believe I could get a 36 if I put in some effort, but whether or not this effort is worth it is debatable.

@socaldad2002 @momofsenior1 @evergreen5
I ended up taking it and scores came back today…I’m in disbelief.
36 E/35 M/36 R/36 S…math has always been my strongest subject so I don’t know how colleges will react to that -_-
Thank you guys for helping me decide, I was really close to not taking it but now I have I gotten it out of the way and can focus on other things. I am shaking, I’m not sure I even deserve this because I did almost no prep.

Congrats on your Act scores
That’s awesome! Don’t think a 35 in math is going to hurt you at all… Lol… Geez you could work on some potential essays this summer and really be ahead of the curve… ?.

What you found out about yourself is to trust yourself. Keep doing that.