<p>Just got my scores today... So I'm aiming for HYPS. My first ACT score was a 34 (36 W, 34 M, 34 CR, 32 S). Should I retake it? I'm also kind of worried since I want to major in science. I know that 2250 is kind of the point where some people say that taking the SAT anymore is pointless. I'm not familiar with the ACT as much, though.</p>
<p>By the way, one can basically take the ACT as many times as they want since they only send an individual test's scores, right?</p>
<p>Actually I was just getting ready to post the same question. I know a number of schools will superscore but what is to be gained by getting a 35 over having a 34? Son had 34 W, 36 M, 32 CR, 32 S. Thanks for posting this Shay!</p>
<p>Once you're in "the zone," a point or two either way doesn't matter. I think you're in the zone.</p>
<p>After that, what matters is everything else. GPA, ECs, recs, essays. The usual. A 34 won't keep you out of those schools, nor will a 35 or 36 increase your chances.</p>
<p>^^ I totally concur with Very Happy. But, then, higher test scores are alwasys better than lower (other things being equal). At that score range, two more correct questions could/would be a 35 (depending on scaling). And, the science brought the composite down. With score choice, there is no reason to NOT retake, assuming shay has time to practice the science section prior to a retake.</p>
<p>pmrlcomm:</p>
<p>very few colleges superscore the ACT.</p>
<p>I think I'm going to put taking the ACT at the end of my list then. I have to retake the SAT for my third and last time, and I have to take my SAT II's. Still, I was quite surprised with the difficulty of the science section this time around. On my two practice tests (from the Real ACT), I got a 34 and a 35. </p>
<p>Thanks for the advice everyone.</p>
<p>shay:</p>
<p>Your 34 is equivalent to a SAT 1520/2280; why waste 5 hours on a SAT retake?</p>
<p>why would u waste your time crying about a 34. suck it up</p>
<p>It depends. I retook after getting a 34 (I did prep beforehand), but only because I got a 9 on the writing part. If I'd done better on the writing, I definitely wouldn't have bothered retaking. </p>
<p>This time, I wound up with a 35, writing results pending, and essentially did nothing in between tests. So maybe you should wait for the writing results.</p>
<p>Essay score does not affect a composite one.</p>
<p>34 is already pretty good. I think you should focus on the other aspects of your application (class performance, essay, ec's). Also, you can review for the SAT 2's you might have to take.</p>
<p>No, the essay score doesn't affect composite, but it's still an (arguably) important part of the test. Since certain colleges require the writing section, I'm sure they look at it, so naturally a high essay score would be desirable.</p>
<p>A slightly different take: I would <em>consider</em> retaking ONLY if you are trying to qaulify for merit money at some of the top schools that offer same (i.e., Rice, Duke, WashU, etc.). Otherwise, if either of my kids had a 34, I'd say get a life doing something else.</p>
<p>Why are you retaking the SAT for a third time if you have a 34? Focus on the subject tests, take them once and move on.</p>
<p>I got a 34 too.</p>
<p>35, 35, 32, 33</p>
<p>However, I am pretty much forced into retaking in June since I accidentally payed for the ACT plus writing when registering for April...</p>
<p>I don't like the idea of wasting money, since no refunds are given.</p>
<p>A higher score wouldn't hurt. Plus its only going to waste 4-5 hours in the morning, time that could have been potential... sleep time?</p>
<p>What exactly is superscoring, and what kinds of colleges typically use it (I know not too many)?
Hopefully not HYPS/their caliber?</p>
<p>Superscoring is good... it's when a school takes your best scores per section, instead of the best sitting. Most schools do it for the SAT, but usually not for the ACT.</p>
<p>Ok, at the risk of looking like an idiot, I'll ask this. I got a 33 composite score on the ACT.. 33 English, 34 Math, 32 Reading, and 34 Science, and also a 31 on the writing.. should i retake or is this score good enough for me to keep... if this is any help i also want to go to HYPS.. i don't want to retake because all my scores are, to me, right where i want them, save the reading and writing.. THX!</p>