I took the ACT in April and received a 32 so I am retaking it, especially because my reading score was a 29. I received a 28 on the writing portion of the ACT. I’ve heard that with this new ACT writing scale, a 28 is actually a decent score. I actually have a couple friends that received a 35 on the ACT but a 23 as a writing score and one friend that got a 36 but a 28 as the writing score. So, if I take the writing portion of the ACT again, I am scared that I will receive a lower score because I have many friends with super high ACT scores with low writing scores. But the thing is if I get a higher score on this ACT, wouldn’t I have to submit the other one because of the writing score? I don’t want colleges to see my lower ACT score since you can often choose which scores to send, but I do not want to receive a lower writing score on this upcoming ACT. So, should I take the writing portion of the ACT?
If the schools you are applying to require writing, you must take it, or else the admission won’t even accept the score. I heard this from the admission officer when a kid asked the same question.
Some colleges that require the essay have said that they will consider ACT w/o Writing scores as long as you have at least one test w/Writing. Others, as realchk mentions, have said that they won’t even consider scores without the essay. Will you be kicking yourself more if A) you get a 35 next time and can’t use it because you didn’t take writing or B) you get a 35 composite and a 23 writing. The correct answer is A. Writing scores don’t really matter; not having a writing score could matter. Keep in mind that some colleges will simply look at your best performances – taking your best test date or superscoring. You shouldn’t worry too much about showing a 32 if you nail it next time.
I think you’re probably okay with a 28 writing score. What seems to matter most to is that you have one in the first place. A 28 isn’t that dreadful.
I already signed up without writing since most of the schools I’m applying to don’t require it.