Superscoring the ACT/Retaking the writing (need urgent help)

Hey guys! So I took the ACT back in April and got a 32 composite and an 11 on writing.

Im signed up to retake it in June because I want to raise my composite score, but I have no issues with my writing score.

My question is:

Is it possible to take the ACT twice, once with the essay and once without the essay, and send BOTH to colleges that require an essay?

Like, say, my composite score the second time is better but I didn’t do the essay and a college requires me to submit an essay. Is it acceptable to submit my scores from the first round just because of the essay and then to submit my scores from the second round just for the composite and count it as one whole essay?

I will most likely superscore my ACT because I only need to lift math and science, but I’m wondering if it’s acceptable to superscore the essay in a sense.

I just want to know if its acceptable or not, because if it isn’t I would have to sign up to take the essay as well in June.

Yes it is acceptable, 11 is very good for all colleges so no need to retake the writing portion. Any college that superscores will superscore your ACT using both tests. Also, generally speaking, the writing score is usually the least important part.

Also remember what super scoring means and does not mean, super scoring is a recalculation of your composite score using your best individual ACT scores. If a college doesn’t super score they still consider your highest individual scores from all tests (including the composite) but they don’t re-compute the composite score, they just consider the highest composite you earned on the tests you took.

That’s incredibly helpful, thank you! So I don’t have to retake the essay right? They will just consider the previous one?

Yes, one writing score is enough to satisfy the requirement. BTW if you use the @CU123 name in your text it will alert me that you have mentioned me in a post so I can respond if needed.

@CU123 You’d think after years of instagramming I would have known about the tag but I don’t haha. Thanks for al the help and the tip. ~:>

@yoharamona just make sure that the schools you are applying to that require ACT with Writing share this view as policies may vary from school to school. You can call and ask them or retake the ACT with Writing to be sure. While it is possible that a school that requires writing will consider it satisfied if you previously submitted an ACT score with Writing, I would not assume you are fine not taking it with Writing - call and ask.

@my2caligirls shoot! I already cancelled the ACT writing portion so I’ll definitely call and ask just to double check

@yoharamona you may be fine but just check with your target schools. Good luck.

The issue you face is only for schools that don’t superscore AND require the writing section. Those schools won’t consider your second test.

I’d see if you can add it back in, because I’d also worry that a school that wants to see an ACT with writing won’t consider it. Also, you may do better on this exam and want to use it as a standalone, but won’t be able to at schools that require the essay.

@CHD2013 (sorry for the late response) So say I’m applying to Dartmouth and they don’t superscore the ACT, but they require writing. Just to clarify this means that they will only view the ACT I took with writing even though my scores may be higher on the second one?

I am not aware of any schools that have an “AND” requirement as they all have to be on the same test.

@CU123 I think its too late for me to change it so I will just move my test to september with the essay. Thank you so much you totally saved me!

Glad you have it worked out. I’m late to this thread but very few schools superscore the ACT and some schools that require writing will only accept a score if it has writing. I know of one Ivy that ignores scores without writing. I know of a state school that just requires one of the sittings to have writing.

You have to call the school but best choice is do the writing. I don’t think they care much what the writing score is. UPenn no longer requires it and states (or did) on their website that a 30 minute essay is a poor judge of a student’s ability. Hopefully more schools will follow suit.

Glad that you have found a solution. Note that many schools do not superscore ACT even they do that for SAT.