Took act 3 times. Help!!!

Hi, I took the act 3 times and my scores were 31, 31 and 30. I have heard that its really bad to take the act four times, but I have also heard that you can delete act scores… What should I do?

Those are very good scores. You might want to sit tight.

Consider the subscores in each exam - some might be better even though the composite score is not. For example, on the 30C score you might have done the best in one subsection e.g. 34 in reading. That could influence your superscore positively such that you would want to retain the 30C if you are applying to schools that superscore.

If you really want to try again, and if the 30C does nothing to help you, then you could try again and write the ACT to delete the 30C score. I believe you have the option to delete one exam. Bear in mind that your high school might have access to the 30C score and automatically submit to colleges as part of your high school transcript. You might have a challenge getting the high school to remove the score.

Thanks! The colleges im applying to doesn’t superscore… But if I do delete the 30 act score, it won’t show up anywhere right? My school doesn’t put scores on transcripts.

Do the schools that you are applying to require you to submit all ACT scores? You have to pay separately for each test to be reported to the schools where you are applying - all attempts won’t appear on a single report. Depending on where you are applying, this could be a non-issue.

I’m applying to UC’s, so they do require all ACT scores.

There is some disagreement regarding the ACT scores. The UC’s specifically state that you need to send all SAT scores but no mention about all ACT scores. The UC’s will take the highest score from a single sitting, so if costs are not prohibitive, I would send all scores. Better safe than sorry especially if any scores are listed on your HS transcript. Your composite scores are all very close so the 30 will not be detrimental.

The ACT allows you to delete one score. After doing so, it does not exist so it would not be reported.

What do you expect to change? Will you change your preparation? If you take it a 4th time, the odds are you’ll have a similar score.

If you delete a score, it will NOT show up. Just be sure your HS doesn’t “share” ACT scores on your transcript, etc. If they do, be sure they also have removed the deleted score. (My DS had a deleted score and it disappeared from Naviance. Then it appeared again.)

With a pair of 31’s under your belt you are not far off a 32. If a 32 makes a material difference at any schools you are applying to, it may make sense to try one last time (i.e., major merit award). Further prep on any areas of weakness and give it a shot.