Hello everyone. I’m a rising junior, and I scored a 33 on the June ACT. I’m currently trying to figure out where I should go from this point in regards to standardized testing. Would there be a benefit to retaking at all? My score is rather uneven- 29 on Reading with 34-35 on everything else and a solid essay. I’m considering taking the old SAT sometime this fall, but I also want to prepare for the PSAT and aim for National Merit, so I’m not sure if it would be wiser to wait to take the new one or just forgo it altogether. If possible, I’d like to be done with the ACT/SAT early so I can focus on other things. Any advice would be appreciated. Thank you!
I have some advice to give you that stems from some regrets that I have regarding standardized testing *-
I, like you, took my first ACT the summer before my junior year and got a 33. I say yes, there is a benefit to retaking it. When you retake it, it’s WAY easier to manage your time in an efficient way, or at least it was for me. I took it for the second time late into junior year. I ended up with a 35, with a 35 subscore for all sections (couldn’t quite get a perfect in any of the sections I guess 
).
I never took the SAT, though, so I really can’t tell you whether or not having both an ACT score and an SAT score will do you any good. From my knowledge, it seems like schools just focus on whichever you have the better score in. I DO, however, recommend taking some of the SAT II’s, which are the SAT subject tests. Some elite colleges require you to have them in order to apply. Kinda wish I took them.
Also, definitely take the PSAT for National Merit. The test itself really doesn’t matter that much, but if you score really well you can get some decent scholarships for National Merit. I took the PSAT for a few years up until my junior year of high school. For some reason I opted not to take it junior year, which was REALLY stupid because that’s the only time it matters for National Merit
Rewrite it. I did the ACT this past April and got a 33. I contemplated rewriting it, and I’m glad I did, because I got a 35 on the June ACT (both junior year).
Thanks for the replies. What would be the best time to take these tests? I know I’d have to be done with the old SAT by January. Should I take that in the fall before potentially retaking the ACT? Or would it not be a good idea to prepare for both that and the new PSAT at the same time?
Bump
I wouldn’t bother taking the old SAT if you haven’t studied for it yet and are planning on studying for the new PSAT anyway. Retake the ACT anytime you want depending on your schedule, but there’s no real need for you to take the old SAT- if you happen to score magnificently on the PSAT, you can always take the new SAT then.
If you retake the ACT, put some time between your last test and the next one. There is a good chance your score will go up because now you know what to expect and because you will have some more schooling between test sessions, even if you don’t have a lot of time to study.
Sorry for the late replies.
It looks like April will work best if I decide to retake it (is there any good reason to retake a 33 anyways?). Would that leave me with enough time to prepare for subject tests if necessary? I will be very busy this year and may not have a ton of time and energy to devote to studying for standardized tests, so I’d prefer to be as efficient as possible.