Just got back my scores for ACT and I’m unsure of which test scores to submit, assuming I don’t take the test again. I have a 34 on my ACT (31 math, 34 science, 36 english, 36 reading) and a 1510 on my SAT (780 EBRW, 730 math). It looks like these scores sit around the same percentile. Any advice?
These are both good enough that they wouldn’t keep you out of a top school, IF the rest of your application (meaning hooks/spikes) made the school want you. For below T20 schools, these scores are probably fine. By itself, even a perfect score would not get you into a T20 school nowadays.
If I were you, I wouldn’t spend time trying to bring up these scores. I’d focus on getting the best grades you can this semester, and then focus on your applications and perhaps on anything else you can do this summer to beef up your ECs.
34 is marginally better than 1510. I’d just submit the ACT. Both scores show your math being about the same, but the high score in science on the ACT is a very minor “bonus.” I don’t see a reason to submit the SAT because it just confirms that you aren’t as strong in math. The 31 and the 730 are almost equal.
I wouldn’t waste time retaking. A 34 isn’t going to make or break the application and you run the risk of doing worse in math on a retake.
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Since many schools super score, should the OP try to take it again and focus on the math part?
From an admissions factor, is a 1510 vs a 1540 super score materially different or does it not matter?
I know the OP mentioned not taking the test again but I was curious if it’s actually worth the effort.
Not in my opinion. The effort, time, and money wasted on trying to improve an already excellent score is not going to move the needle between acceptance and denial. All the time wasted would be far better spent on EC’s, or doing something fun. There’s no benefit in this situation that outweighs the stress and lost time that the OP could better use in another way.
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No there is no material difference between a 1510 and a 1540 SAT score. People are too hung up on hairsplitting that doesn’t make a difference (not you, OP, in general, on all those threads with angry parents because their kid was shut out of the Ivy league, or t20, schools).
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What is your major? While I agree both scores are fine, if you’re going to pursue something that quantitative or science-y, I might spend an hour a night for a month focused on math and take it again.
A one point math gain brings you to a 35 superscore - but more importantly, some schools look at just math and English (UGA for one) - and if you are engineering or comp sci or something STEM, the 31 might be seen as not enough.
Agreed it depends on where you are applying…and major type. And it likely own’t make much a difference.
But you have plenty of time to take once more and I could see you getting math up if you focused on it. And major and school dependent, that could help.
Good luck.
I’m planning on applying envisci, so it’s definitely STEM but probably not as mathy as engineering or compsci. I’ve been a little peeved with my math scores seeing as math is my strongest subject in school, so I’m not sure why I don’t do as well as I’d like during standardized testing.
Think I’ll take another ACT in July or early next year but only if it fits in my schedule, tbh I’m just playing it by ear right now.
Thank you so much! I will take this into consideration and probably only take it if I find I have extra time (which I almost never do) 