Not sure what to tell son who has taken so many tests already.
He has taken the SATs twice. Best score 620 CR and 740 M (first time was 20 points lower CR and 30 lower M).
He has also taken the ACTs twice. First round 34 M, 30 Eng, 28 Sci and 26 Reading. Second round 33 M, 34 Eng, 34 Sci and 24 Reading! The title of thread reflects superscore of 32.
He prefers the ACTs and studied so hard over the summer. He really thought he had the Reading figured out: tried one strategy the first time then another the second time. We don’t have resources for tutors and he used Princeton ACT books and online practice tests.
These are the scores he will use for Questbridge but given the reality that very few kids get match, he will probably go for an ED 2 or RDs. So there is time…I just don’t know if it is worth it for him. He is aiming for Pomona, Vassar, Hamilton, Amherst, Carleton, Williams, perhaps Davidson.
He would have to go up 4 whole points in Reading to go up just one point to a composite 33, correct? Worth it? Considering that the second time he actually went down? Would it make enough of a difference to these schools?
It takes a lot to move up one point once you’re in the 30’s. My son decided to stay put with his composite 31 and focus on the other parts of his profile, rather than take it a third time. But every kid is different. Yours is in the lower to middle range for the schools you listed, so it’s not going to eliminate him.
His Composite is really good. I’m not sure what the schedule for the SAT is, he might want to consider taking the SAT. The reading score is still above average with his English, Science and Math being excellent. My Son was able to move up 3 points on his composite using practice tests.
This may just be his max. He has obviously mastered most of the parts but one is not clicking. His scores are high enough to show that it’s probably just a testing-disconnect thing.
I’d try to reduce the pressure and avoid another test as it is almost October! The pressure is going to increase.
Those are way more than respectable scores. Questbridge may work for him, but you right to have alternatives, tho I’m not sure ED is the best one for lower income families, as you might close out schools that might give you more aid without loans.
I’d do the ACT again. You only have to really focus on one section, and I’ve always felt it’s easier to go up when you’re stating with a score in the 20s as opposed to say, trying to go from a 31 to 34. Also, if my math is correct, he only needs to go up two point to get a 33 super score as a 32.5 rounds up to 33.
Thanks everyone for your input! I appreciate hearing your thoughts. My inclination is to let it go. He is undecided but says he could go either way. As noted, the pressure is only going to increase so actually doing it might seem like a lot during crunch time.
This is our first student taking ACTs (our others did SATs as did Dad and myself). On the other hand vhsdad if you are right that the composite rounds up – I didn’t think about that. Two points might not be that hard to increase?
My doubt is whether these schools will consider it an important enough difference to make it worth the time, money and effort. Assuming of course that he does go up (not down!)
Thanks HRSMom for the reminder about ED. The only ones he would try for ED would not include loans (with the exception of Williams which does not have ED 2.) He can always just forward for RD.
If need be he can also apply to non-QB schools through Common App. He has one in mind that he likes and is affordable and where a 31 would place him in top 25%.