<p>Just a quick ?, how is the essay graded; is it part of a section or a separate one<br>
altogether?</p>
<p>the essay is combined with the english score for a "composite" ... unfortunately, if you do poorly on the essay, you will bring down the "original" score you had in the english section</p>
<p>hope that makes sense :)</p>
<p>wait, so the score on the early web report thingy does not have the essay rite? so my score can go either way after they grade the essay?</p>
<p>No, your multiple choice scores and composite are unaffected by the essay. When your essay is scored, you will get two additional scores: a writing score and an English/writing score (which combines--you guessed it--your English and writing scores).</p>
<p>But if you scored "okay" on the essay, it doesn't bring your composite down drastically, right?</p>
<p>I mean, it could be the difference between a 35-36, or a 31-32, etc.</p>
<p>i have another question: </p>
<p>i was looking at the ACT website and i saw that the writing curves start at the grade you made in English and go down from that. For example, i made a 35 on the english section and, according to the website, the only way i can pull off a 35 comined english/essay score is if i got a 12 on the essay (which i know i did not). also, i made a 35 composite, but it was the lowest possible 35 (34.5 rounded up). so, by my reasoning, the only way i will ever be able to report that 35 is if i make a 12 on the essay because otherwise my composite will drop to a 34. is this true? this depresses me a little.</p>
<p>ok wait. now i'm confused. i just checked back with the ACT website and it said that the writing test does NOT affect your composite score. how does that work? so my composite still remains 35 regardless of how well (or badly) i did on the essay??</p>
<p>birk44-
Yes, that is correct. The essay does NOT affect your composite score.</p>
<p>birk,
It may have been a little confusing when auxsoleil mentioned a "composite". The score that you get when your writing score is "combined" with your English score is called your English/writing score and has nothing to do with your composite, which is just the rounded average of your 4 multiple choice scores. So your 4 multiple choice scores and composite are determined exactly the same way whether you take writing or not; taking writing just gets you two EXTRA scores.</p>
<p>im sorry, what i meant is the "composite" english score, not the actual "composite" of all 4 sections. and if you look at any practice test scoring scale, if you get a 2 on the essay, your english score consequently goes down..</p>
<p>sorry again for the confusion, i meant to say what ms. ferguson said :)</p>