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.
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.
@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.
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?
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.