What ACT score is needed for our son?

<p>Shobhit, reporting your ACT scores to your high school is optional (except for state testing). I agree with musictoad, though: it's not that big a deal. I'd be surprised if very many colleges look at the ACT scores on your transcript.</p>

<p>
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Just to correct the misconception- you can take the ACT/SAT as many times as you want, even a 100 times! The colleges will only see the highest score.

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</p>

<p>With the SAT, ALL your scores are included on the score report. (At least those tests taken in high school; I vaguely remember something like folks have to request earlier scores be retained in the record or they are dropped.) Only the ACT has score choice, where you specify the test date or dates with the scores you want to report (you pay for each date you pick).</p>

<p>My son took advantage of a Princeton Review class to improve his score. He received a composite score of 24 in April 2005 as a junior, then literally did a CRASH course in just a few weeks' time and scored a composite 27 in June 2005.</p>

<p>I am sure your son will see marked improvements as well. If he scored a 24 as a SOPHOMORE he will definitely be able to see his score increase. Good luck to him (and you!!).</p>

<p>I took it as a freshman last year (in february) and made a 25. I just got my scores back from the december test, and I made a 29. With the ACT, it's sometimes just the luck of the draw. Scores can jump very quickly. He can take it as many times as needed, and he can take the SAT also, which is a completely different style and needed often for top-notch universities. Plus, with the other stuff... sounds great</p>

<p>^That's true. However, scores mean a lot to one's profile when considering big, top universities, especially Ivy.</p>

<p>Anyway, I have to say - how some single (or multiple) standardized tests can ruin your profile bigtime just sucks... I have a 1920 (1330) and it just sucks. I'm an international student, but still.. ugh -_-; I'm a disheartened senior</p>

<p>Still, your son has hope! He has one more year left and he still has a lot of chances, though you can consider focusing attention on some other things... ^^</p>

<p>lol giant necrobump</p>

<p>actually take a look at when this was posted; her son is probably in college already. I wonder how he did.</p>

<p>Just looked through a few of her other posts, and it seems her son was only able to get a 30, which naturally sucks here at CC.</p>

<p>^ ugh.. yeah! so many super-ultra-mega-overachievers -_-; makes me feel bad</p>

<p>I bought an ACT book with 10 practice exams and, it has been helping me out a great deal. If you take it seriously as if it was a real test with the timing, his score will increase dramatically. The questions on the ACT are all the same but with different words. The more questions he does in the right amount of time, the better he will get. My first time taking the ACT I got a 30 with weaknesses in reading (24). I'm on my third practice test, and my reading subscore is around 29 to 31. My composite is at around 33. The more you do the better you get. It is more intelligent to take 10 practice exams and the ACT twice than taking the official ACT multiple times. Some colleges do not like that your focus is strictly on standardized tests. I want to go to MIT. One of the only things hampering me right now is my reading test scores. It is a shame but thats the way the cookie crumbles! SAT included!</p>

<p>wait... nevermind. this is reallly old</p>

<p>Hi my son currently got a 27 on his ACTS and its his first time taking them. He has a 3.6 GPA and participates in many extra curricular activities such as varist football, varisty lacrosse, varsity basketball, and gentlemans club. With this resume, would he be able to attend the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill? If not, what should he aim for on his next ACT test</p>

<p>I personally prefer the ACT but some kids just can’t handle the very tough time constraints, even though they know everything on the test.</p>

<p>Perhaps he should try the SAT. It’s a little tougher in terms of material (at least for me), but there is plenty of time on each section. I never felt rushed. With the ACT, you have to have a rhythm going…it’s almost like a race. Some kids are very smart, but not under that kind of time constraint.</p>

<p>laxmom, unc is very selective. those numbers don’t sound quite high enough. i have a 32, 4.3, and similar or slightly better ECs, and i think i would only have decent chance at unc (out of state). although it sounds like your son is very athletic. if he is being recruited in any way, that would greatly improve his odds.</p>

<p>is his 3.6 weighted or unweighted? how does it stack up with other kids in his class? as far as a 27 cold act, that’s a very good score to start on (higher than what i started on). have him take a lot of practice tests, that is definitely the only real way to improve.</p>

<p>Taking the ACT 7 times is completely ridiculous and puts way too much pressure on your son. He should take it 3 times MAXIMUM. After that point, it’s not going to improve.</p>

<p>if your score jumps more than 5 points within a year, ACT will make you retake the test in a room with just a proctor because they don’t think that can happen. So in all actuality, you’re better off not taking the test every year. I took my first ACT in the spring of my sophomore year and got a 27 with no preparation other than taking my PSAT and PLAN. I retook it in October of my senior year and received a 30, again with no real preparation. I ranked just above the 50th percentile in my class in high school but I had the highest test scores; very few students even achieved my first score. My good friend was valedictorian and had a 17 ACT, however, he was also ESL. Another friend received a 21 on the ACT but ranked 10th in the class and got into Ohio State, which I was denied from. It all really depends on what the school wants.</p>

<p>I would consider the SAT’s as well. Anyhow, a 30 + is recommended if your son, or rather you, the mother, aim high. I believe he has plenty of time to raise his score without the aid of private tutors. On a different note, I would like to say that while such active involvement of the parent on behalf of their children may help, once the child enters college, he/she may face drawbacks that stem off from lack of steering.</p>

<p>Hello, this is one mom.</p>

<p>My daughter wants to go to very good colleges. She got ACT in 10th grade 29. However, she took again this Feb, 2011, she even pulled one point back-28. This is very disappointed score for her. Who can tell me:Is is possible to raise ACT score from 29 to 32? What books are good for prepare ACT? My D’s weak parts are Science and Math. So far, her math is stable as 27, her science is very varies. She got 29 once, then she up and down as 25 or 27. She told me that there is noway to prepare science. Really? </p>

<p>Welcome any experienced or skilled people replies my questions.</p>

<p>I would say thanks a lot to you, and thanks your parents too.</p>

<p>It’s possible, yeah.</p>

<p>The science section is a combination of logic and timing. Timing can be improved from practice test books; logic is a skill you can improve by using your brain. Taking the effort to understand information in school (AP classes) is a good way to build up logical thinking, for example.</p>

<p>You also bumped a 6 year old topic by the way.</p>

<p>“You also bumped a 6 year old topic by the way”</p>

<p>Darling-cigone.</p>

<p>This mom does not know a good English because it is my second language. LOL.</p>

<p>That is OK. I do not get what do you mean. So, just answer my questions and laugh at my immature English.</p>

<p>However, you get my points, that is what I want. Tell me more about the practice skill. My D only has several months to go. I can not talk to her about anything regarding ACT right now. She is so frustrated on me-pressure.</p>

<p>Thanks for your response.</p>

<p>Sorry, please excuse me again.</p>

<p>What cjgone means is that this thread is very old (six years old). You might get more responses if you started a new thread.</p>