So I FINALLY got my ACT score back from april 19th and I have a couple days to make this decision. My dad signed me up for the June test and I’m wondering whether I should retake it or not. I got a 33 (E 31 M 32 R 34 S 34) with a superscore of 33 ( E 33 M 32 R 34 S 34) and I’m looking to apply to schools as selective as MIT and Stanford. There’s not really a hook about me from a college admissions perspective. The biggest thing I’m worried about in taking the tests is not the time or money but rather the fact that I’ve taken these tests so many times. While the SAT does not show up on my transcript I have taken it four times because I was entering in national merit through alternative entry and I could take it as many times as I wanted to boost my score. I took the old twice and the new twice. I am done with that test. Counting the score I just got back, I have taken the ACT three times. This would be the fourth. I improved one point each time starting from 31. All my ACT scores show up on my transcript. I am also looking to apply as an engineering or computer science major. So, my questions are . Should I take the ACT again? Will schools frown upon taking the ACT four times? Will it be a red flag to schools that require all scores that I’ve taken so many tests. It’s really been a complicated situatinn with me for national merit and I am honestly just so confused as to what I should do. My dad doesn’t really understand that a 34 and a 36 are pretty much the same and he comes from a different country at a different time where tests scores were pretty much everything.
Thanks for reading. I just want to know if I should take this test Saturday because I think there’s a chance I could improve, but I’m mostly concerned about schools interpreting the number of tests I’ve taken.
I would look at the medians of acceptance for those schools. However, a 33 will certainly not make or break your acceptance if you are an excellent applicant otherwise. It’s strong enough to survive the “cut off” of tests scores at selective schools. Good luck!
Is there any negative value to having more scores show up? Especially at schools with score report ( the one that requires all I think)
Math could be improved to a 34, but I’m afraid that retaking will lower your other scores. Your other scores are perfect for MIT and Stanford. Personally, I think four times is not too bad. I’ve taken it twice and plan on trying my last time in September. If you’re prepared for a high math score now, then go for it. Otherwise, you can wait until September or a later test date in order to ensure you get the score you want.
Besides, to be honest, schools mainly just look at your superscore. They won’t deny you just because you got your highest Math score (36) on your fourth try but happened to get 29s.
With Score Choice you have NOTHING to lose and potentially dream college or dream scholarship to gain. I have had many students over the years in your shoes who took it 2-3 times more… and they went higher which gave them an advantage over the students with 33’s. Also remember that many schools, and many scholarships, do not accept a superscore. Besides, your superscore and April score are identical at 33, so why send any other test to any other school?
Most Ivies/ high ranking schools do not superscore ACT. Only SAT, so keep that in mind.
You can permanently delete any ACT scores you don’t like. Once deleted, ACT will ask your HS to remove the scores from the HS records. Once you delete a score, it’s as if you never took it.
It’s a dumb system, but it’s the system.
If you think you can improve that score again, take the test. You can decide who the results are reported to. The larger issue in your post is the “there’s really not a hook about me” comment - you should be actively pursuing or developing leadership roles that show what your are passionate about, demonstrating depth. It can be in anything.
MIT looks at the highest of the ACT subtests but does not re-calculate a composite. But the mentality is all wrong. I would guess an MIT rep would say, move on. Do something worthwhile. The difference between acceptance for the group of students with a 34-36 (12% accepted of this range) and 31-33 (7% accepted of this range) is 5%. But that difference probably has nothing to do with the ACT score. Those in the 34-36 range probably have higher levels of actual achievements (which a high ACT score is not) and higher aptitude (which gaming the ACTs does not give you).
“You can permanently delete any ACT scores you don’t like. Once deleted, ACT will ask your HS to remove the scores from the HS records. Once you delete a score, it’s as if you never took it.”
While this is true, what will be missing are the achievements typically present for students who take the test a couple of times, ace it and move on.