First off, I’ve been a lurker on CC for the past few months, and I’m deciding to finally make a post. So hello!
Anyways, I took the ACT back in February (first attempt) and here’s my score breakdown :
34 Composite
36CR
35E
34S
32M
9 Essay
I’m considering applying to a few schools with excellent business programs, including Wharton. I’m aware that it’s not really necessary to take the ACT after a 34+score, but I’ve read that math is an important subject for Wharton admissions. Will my low math score affect my chances for admission, or is the composite high enough to counter that? As a side note, I was VERY relaxed (I do my best when I just don’t care) during the test because I would just take it again if I didn’t get a good score, so I’m not sure if I could get a 34 or higher on another attempt.
If you arent sure about getting another 34, then dont bother taking it again. Instead, try to show your math in AP Calculus, IB or even SAT Subject Tests.
I agree with @argentina2017. If you aren’t 100% sure about getting a higher ACT score then you should just concentrate on other tests because it would be a waste of money and time to take it again. And a 34 is a perfectly good score
There is no reason for you to retake. You have a great score. Penn does not super score and they want your FULL testing history. Should you do worse on the next test, you would be obligated to show both sets of scores.
I’m going to offer a slightly different opinion than those above. Full disclosure I’m a current senior with a 33 ACT, I got rejected from Wharton ED, and I’m a 2015 Coca-Cola Scholar. I don’t think the 32 in Math will kill your Wharton application, but getting it up to 34+ would certainly help. As far as your overall competitiveness for getting into schools, the above posters are right you don’t need to retake it. However, there are many schools that give out better merit scholarships based solely on test scores and GPA. If you were to retake it and score a 35/36, you would be that much better positioned to received this money. Seeing as this is only your first attempt, and most students you’re competing against will have taken it 2-3 times, I’d say take it again if you can afford to and you think you’ll improve.
I’ve noticed that if a school wants you to report test scores from all tests you’ve taken, they say that they will only look at the highest composite score (for ACT). So why would they require you to report all scores?
High scores on SAT subject tests should be a priority for you given the caliber of school you are considering because your current excellent ACT score will not keep you out of any school, and high scores on subject tests will strengthen an application anywhere. In your situation I would recommend prepping for subject tests.
If you have yet to sit for the regular SAT, however, perhaps that would be worth your consideration since it would be yet another data point for schools to consider if you do well.
@Argentina2017 So let’s say that a college requires scores from all tests. One student got a 34 on his second time and another student got a 34 on his fourth time. The first student will have a higher chance of getting in?
