<p>So here is my dilemma. The Common app asks for your highest scores in each section for the ACT. </p>
<p>My highest are as follows.</p>
<p>Composite - 31
English - 33
Math - 33
Reading - 34
Science - 28
Writing - 9</p>
<p>These scores are from three different tests. To send the school my actual highest score I would need to submit all three different tests. I would have no problem with this, except that several of my sections were poor the first time I took it, even though my math score and writing were the best of the three. I received a 25 on writing, 27 on reading, and a 25 combined english writing. I am very weary about the school seeing these scores even though they say to send your highest scores. I know that the admissions officers are human and even though they may not mean to take these lower scores into consideration, it is human nature. Once they look at them, they can't go back. </p>
<p>Without the first test, my highest scores would look like,</p>
<p>Composite - 31
English -33
Math - 32
Reading - 34
Science 28
Writing - 8</p>
<p>The difference appears minimal. Is sending them the poor first test to gain one point on my essay and one point in math worth them seeing the poor scores in English, Reading and English/Writing?? </p>
<p>I know they take all the scores and claim that they look only at your highest…but that means they will also see you lowest and assumingly not take it into accound…that said i would send the best single sitting. thats what i’m doing!</p>
<p>Most colleges do not superscore the ACT. If you submit more than one they will use that one with the highest composite. The College Board in creating the common app did not account for that fact in creating the section to show ACT scores. Truth is what you put on that app will not even be used for admission and will be ignored because colleges rely on your official scores for evaluating admission. Thus, you essentially can put whatever you please, but don’t think it will mean anything at all. I would just put your highest subscores as it asks. </p>
<p>As to official scores you actually send to a college, for that you should check college. If it requires you to send all ACT scores do so. If it uses only that test with higest composite and does not require you to send all scores, then I would just send one test and thus not pay to send the others (ACT charges a fee to send each test to a college). If it is one of the small number that superscore ACTs and does not require all tests, send your two best and save the money on the third or send all three if third has one subscore that is best. </p>
<p>Just note the college will likely learn of your test scores anyway – most high schools put all your scores on your official high school transcript so don’t assume you can hide anything from the college.</p>
<p>I don’t actually know Duke’s policy, but most schools, including places like HYPSM, require all SAT scores, not ACT scores. ACT costs $10 for each test date report, while SAT sends the entire thing (or your choice) for $10, so they usually ask for only your best score on the ACT. Also, VERY few schools superscore the ACT, most take the highest composite.</p>