<p>I have a little problem (BIG problem).
My state requires all Juniors to take a state-mandated ACT (no writing) test in the Spring.
I am currently a Junior and have already taken the SAT and got 2300+ (out of 2400).
I took a practice ACT around that same time and got a low 30s score (out of 36).</p>
<p>I don't want Princeton/Harvard/etc. to see my COMPARATIVELY "lackluster" ACT grades when my SAT score is almost perfect. (it is by no means lackluster...just for lack of a better word)</p>
<p>Is there any way I can opt out of the ACT test? Maybe erase it from my transcript? (The ACT score will be posted on my transcript) Please help. </p>
<p>In the meantime, I definitely will be studying for the ACT but I'm just wondering...in case I don't get a 35/36, can I not show that to my colleges? </p>
<p>Thanks so much.</p>
<p>(Heads up: I'm also posting this onto Harvard/Yale/others' forums. I just want to get as many answers as possible.)</p>
<p>If you can convince your school not to post it on your transcript, then you do not need to send ACT test scores to any college if you choose to send SAT instead. Of course your HS will send a transcript and if it is on it, they will see it. Many say they really only consider the highest score…but who knows.
What would happen if you simply didn’t show up on test day? I mean, some kids are actually sick that day, do they need to do a make up or what - would that keep you from graduating?</p>
<p>Haha thanks for the advice guys…
well… I don’t want to just want to ditch the testing day (although that sounds tempting…haha). That isn’t me. Plus…there could be pretty serious implications…maybe not as bad as not graduating but you never know. </p>
<p>I’ll just study hard and take it (worst case).</p>
<p>But I do totally agree it’s unfair. I stressed out all summer, took the SAT one sitting, and got a good score. Why should I have to stress out more for a test I don’t want to send to my schools? </p>
<p>I guess I got to do what I got to do. Unless…people have other ideas.</p>
<p>o shoot, didnt read that its posted on your transcript. I still dont think schools will take it into consideration unless you have it sent over officially through ACT.</p>
<p>I talked to my counselor already and he said that “it’s been tried but failed.”</p>
<p>So…that’s not looking too bright for me.</p>
<p>The ACT score really will just show up on my transcript in a section called “State Mandated ACT.” Will Harvard and Princeton still ignore it after seeing my higher SAT? Or will it sway them a little?</p>
<p>Princeton and Harvard both practice score choice and adamantly assert that they take into consideration only your highest scores. Granted, if you’re scoring an 800 on Math for one test and then a 550 on Math on the second, it might raise some flags but otherwise I firmly believe they consider your highest score if the scores are within a certain range (my guess is within 100 or 200 points). </p>
<p>Regardless, they will only consider scores self-reported on the Common App testing section and will only use scores listed on official score reports for whatever Academic Index calculation or objective evaluative measure they use for applicants. They might look at scores listed on transcripts, but they are unofficial and will not be used in admissions by colleges. In addition, ACT and SAT are reported through separate organizations so you are not obligated to send official reports of your ACT score. Therefore, there will be no reason for any college to use the unofficial ACT score on your transcript when you have an official report of your SAT. </p>
<p>Lastly, my SAT score was higher than my ACT score but I still reported both… simply because my ACT score fit into a fixed percentile listed on Princeton’s median range and my SAT percentile was a little bit unclear. Don’t worry about doing worse than your SAT equivalent on the SAT. The test won’t be used in admissions since it is not an official report and, even if you score lower, colleges will always consider the higher of the two. And this might spark some controversy, but I still believe age-old universities on the East Coast place higher faith in SAT scores simply because of their long standing familiarity with the examination and the College Board. So, at least in my perspective, a high SAT and low ACT combination is a lot more secure than a high ACT and low SAT combination. It’s just my personal opinion and I don’t really think there is any factual evidence behind it. (Also, yes, there have been recent cheating scandals with the SAT but that doesn’t mean the test is seen as any less legitimate by universities. Cheating is universal across all testing examinations… all the way from spelling quizzes in first grade to AP tests at the end of senior year. Cheating and dishonesty has always been prevalent in academia, and both the ACT and the SAT are prone to such inconsistencies.)</p>
<p>So in conclusion, your state mandated ACT score will have no impact on your college applications in light of the fact that it’s 1) mandated 2) unofficial and 3) you have a solid SAT score that outweighs it. Just try your best, don’t stress about it, and then go hang out with your friends after the test is over. ACTs are god awful and long… you should definitely have some fun afterwards.</p>
<p>Most selective colleges require the ACT with writing. As your state requires students to take the test without writing, the score will most probably be ignored.</p>