What do you think about handscoring?

Parents Forum
1

<p>I just received my December ACT multiple choice scores, and I'm a bit shocked; I really thought I did better. Here are my stats:</p>

<p>December
*Comp: 28 *
English: 29
*Math: 28 *
*Reading: 29 *
Science: 26</p>

<p>October
*Comp: 29 *
English: 29
*Math: 33 *
*Reading: 26 *
Science: 26</p>

<p>To be honest, I know that these two tests don't really show a huge difference, but I'm pretty sure I did a lot of erasing and inconsisent shading on the math section. Should I go ahead and order the $45 handscoring service? If so, I was hoping to get it done asap so I could have the new scores sent over to the colleges...</p>

2

<p>First, this is a question that would be better posted in the appropriate testing forum - that’s where the experts are.</p>

<p>Beyond that . . . well, it’s your money. Lots of erasing could have screwed up the machine reading of your math score. No guarantees, of course, but if you can afford the $45, then why not?</p>

3

<p>FWIW, my D took the ACT multiple times and had some wild subscore fluctuations. If you think there may be a reason the machine misread your answers and you have the money, I guess it’s worth a try, but I don’t think 5 point swings in subscores from test to test are all that unusual.</p>

4

<p>What are you expecting with handscoring? Your English and Science scores are identical. When I superscored the subscores, the composite was 29.25 or 29. So even assuming that your math was mis-scored and is really a 33, nothing really changes.</p>