Should I rescore or just retake it?

Damon1570 · 07-03-2009, 05:00 PM

I got a 26, but I could have sworn I did so much better. I was expecting at least a 28. I know I had maybe 5-10 smudge marks from my eraser. Would that even make much of a difference? Should I spend $30 to get it rescored or just use it to retake it (since I planned on taking it twice)?

What would YOU do?

1253729 · 07-03-2009, 06:51 PM

Well if the machine marked 5-10 correct answers as incorrect, there would be a big difference in your score. But personally, I would just retake it.

Damon1570 · 07-03-2009, 07:57 PM

I just know that I erased a few and it left a semi-dark smudge still on the answer sheet. Also, after going through all the ACT section threads, I felt like I marked down at least 75% of the answers that everyone decided on.

koken911 · 07-03-2009, 08:25 PM

I'm pondering the same question. You should check out what exactly your score was (I got a 31.5 average but my final score was 32 because it rounded). I left 6-7 questions with smudges but I'm not sure that even if I get those right how much it will change my score...where can I find a chart relating how many you get wrong to your section score?

1253729 · 07-04-2009, 01:49 AM

They dont release a chart for your exact test. But you can try to look at previous tests' charts to get a rough idea.

Damon1570 · 07-04-2009, 04:02 PM

I feel like I should rescore. How will i ever know if there really was something wrong with it AND they give you a refund if they DO find something wrong, so it's worth the chance. I don't want to retake it and get the same score and not be able to rescore my first test bc its passed the three months. I'm rescoring!

cjgone · 07-04-2009, 04:49 PM

Go for it and take it again too. I haven't heard many reports of re-scoring doing much with the exception of the writing section.

Smudging generally won't affect your scores --but if you really feel that it could have negatively impacted your test, I would say yes. It's possible.

Don't be discouraged if your score dropped, however. It happens-- not every test is the same. So just do your best for the next test.

springisintheair · 07-04-2009, 05:06 PM

Has anyone every received a higher score from the hand scoring request with $30 fee? If so, how long did it take for them to notify the adcom of your new score?

Salve! · 07-05-2009, 02:17 PM

Just take it again. Who knows, you could do better anyway than if you just rescored it. Good luck. Standardized tests are bogus anyway.