Taking just one section of ACT?

My daughter ran out of time taking the practice act. If a lot of the colleges accept superscored ACTs then what is the downside of taking the test 3 times and just completing a different section each time?

Downsides:

  1. Cost
  2. A majority of schools do NOT super score
  3. You would be very sad when restricted to only super scoring schools
  4. You sit through a four hour test twiddling your thumbs

Each individual section is timed. It’s not like you get four hours to complete anything you want.

Don’t you have to take the test in the order presented? By taking the test multiple times, wouldn’t she just finish the same sections each time? As above, lack of superscoring schools. Also, is there any invalidation if the test isn’t completed?

Although they say they superscore, I think this would look really odd to a college. I would not do it. Or maybe I misunderstand you… there are time limits on each section. She is going to have the same problem on the real test. For example, 60 minutes for 60 math problems. She can’t use time allocated in the real test for reading to finish math.

For ACT there are also colleges who ask for the best composite score instead of superscoring section scores. You need at least one decent complete sitting. Not sure what the composite looks like if only one section is done each time.

Most schools look at the composite. So that would be a 1/3 score (you’d need to look for autoadmits with a 12 score).

and even the ones who superscore would look at 4 tests of 0=0=0=X and see a student trying to game the system, which doesn’t say ‘serious student’ very clearly.

Colleges that superscore say they use the highest section scores form the multiple tests and do not use the lower scores against you. However, none have ever said they cannot consider against an applicant the fact that the applicant obviously blew off a section of a test. Moreover, I believe failure to do a section of the test results in test cancellation by ACT and you can be instructed to leavve a test if the proctor sees that you are not taking a section.

I’ve always thought the “superscore” thing was a scam. It’s in a college’s interest to superscore, as it increases the score of its admits and matriculates. This helps with rankings and apparent exclusivity. I’ve always thought colleges probably look at the set of scores in their totality and make judgements accordingly. But, I have not evidence to back this up.

I agree skrunch. Schools will even admit when you ask them that it benefits them as well as the student. Here is the million dollar question, and no school has ever given me a straight answer. Why do most schools superscore the sat but not the act? Seems a bit unfair to me. I know some people will say ok, then take the sat. However, if a student is stronger at the act they are at a disadvantage because more schools superscore the sat than the act. To make matters even crazier, the act is more popular than the sat country wide!!

Makes no sense to me whatsoever, but hey, you have to play the cards you are dealt