Score choice for ACT- how would they know?

[kttmom]

We used a strategy for testing recommended on CC and assuming score choice for ACT would not change. S1 took ACT in Oct. of Junior year with no prep/pressure - 'let just see what you get' cause we won't have to send it if we don't like it. He did well (33), so we avoided the SAT except for SAT II tests. He took the ACT again in June of Junior year and scored even better (35). Now all the Ivy schools he is applying to say they want you to send ALL the ACT scores (and SAT, but he only has the SATII on file, so we sent them all - he will take SAT I in Nov for NMS, but we will not re-send scores to colleges).
So my question is - how would they KNOW that he took a previous ACT - the whole point initially of ACT was you get to choose which one to send - now that the SAT has muddied the waters, the schools have changed the policies for ACT as well. For ACT you have to send each test score seperately - with an added expense. With SAT, it looks like they may tell the school that you selected 'send all scores', but for ACT, how would they ever know you took a previous test?
I was going to have S2 (10th grade) take the ACT next Fall with no prep/pressure, but now I am wondering if this is such a good strategy....

[Queen's Mom]

They wouldn't know-but you would. Send the 33, but only to the schools that specifically require it.

[mathmom]

First, according to SAT Score Choice - A New Way To Report SAT Scores (see the SAT Score-Use Practices List link) only Cornell, Yale, U Penn and Columbia require all the SAT scores. I know for a fact that Yale has said quite clearly that you don't need to send every ACT score (because of the extra expense for each score report). Read the admissions sites carefully - if they only highly recommend sending all the scores you are not obliged to - I'd consider sending them all though if the earlier lower score has a higher subtest. BTW neither MIT nor Caltech require all the scores either - the list of schools that absolute require all SAT scores is pretty small. Obviously if you are required to send all ACT scores you will, if the sites are fuzzy at all, your sense of honor should kick in However if there is any doubt in the wording at the college admissions sites I'd call the respective admissions offices and ask them, explaining that you have to pay for each score report for the ACT unlike the SAT and that it's a financial burden. (Note I've found that it's not at all clear whether you have to send all SAT2 scores - my reading of most sites is that you are not.)

[kttmom]

Yup - those would be the schools. We created a separate common app to self report both ACT scores to Yale EA, so I am fine with them. But Columbia, UPenn, & Cornell all say they want all ACT scores - or maybe I am reading it wrong.

Cornell says 'Please note that Cornell requires students to submit all scores from tests taken and does not participate in the College Board’s Score Choice.' - does this only mean SAT?


Columbia says 'Columbia has always expected applicants to report all required standardized testing for which they have sat and will continue to do so for 2009-2010' - but then they say they will only use the highest composite score. So why waste the $$ by sending the lower score?

Penn says 'Penn's response to The College Board's Score-Use testing policy for students is to request the student's entire testing history.' - but does this only apply to SAT?

Maybe I will have to call.....

[rodney]

This has been brought up on other threads and IMO, very confusing.....these schools are referring to the "college board score use testing policy"....ACT is NOT college board; therein lies the confusion.....as you have pointed out.....

definitely call and report back for everyone else; I have a feeling your answer will surprise many on CC...no way they can require all ACT scores to be sent....