I have a 34 Composite, but my ACT English happens to be a 32, which is lower than 25th percentile for the top universities I’m applying to. For reference, I have a 36 Reading, 35 Math, 33 Science, and 32 English. I know that a 34 ACT composite is hitting the threshold, but can anyone alleviate my worries about the lower English subsection? Should I retake in December for RD? I have applied early to Harvard, U Michigan, UVA, UT-Austin, and Clemson.
How thoroughly have you researched this? The University of Michigan reports a 25th percentile English-section ACT score of 31 on its CDS, for example.
In general, you can regard your 34 composite score as your “true” score with which to compare yourself to most college profiles, in that none of your section scores diverge to a great degree from this level. Since English represents an important subsection, however, a score below the 25th percentile could make admission additionally challenging at the few highly selective colleges for which this may be the case.
36 Reading and 32 English is kind of unusual. I’d retake - why torture yourself later that your 32 affected the admission decision?
Correction to the 1st reply, Michigan registers a 25th percentile English section ACT score of 32 on its CDS.
I would not retake a 34 composite ACT in December. You have better uses of your time than retaking the test…finishing the semester strong, studying for finals and writing compelling, relevant essays.
It’s unlikely a 32 in English would be the reason for a denial of admission.
Good luck.
What is your source for making this statement?
My only explanation for the 36 Reading vs 32 English is that I took this test right after my high school football game with little sleep while having to drive an hour to my test site. I think I was slower/slightly less sharp out the gate.
These two sections test two somewhat related skills, that’s all. I am not a statistician and my observations are limited, based on subscores of friends’ kids, and what I saw in stat threads on CC. Usually, if the four numbers differ significantly, they match closely for math+science, and then for English+reading.
I didn’t realize my statement was even controversial.
@smooth37 The ACT English + Reading would = the SAT ERW, so your English/Reading is a 34. I remember seeing something on the ACT report where they combine these 2 sections (plus writing, if you do the writing) for an overall English score. I wouldn’t worry it.