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Submit SAT or ACT?

cram545cram545 95 replies70 threads Junior Member
in SAT and ACT Tests & Test Preparation
I am retaking the SAT in August (1490, 780. English, 710 math, 7-5-7), My ACT is lower at a super-score of 33 (35 English, 34 reading, 32 science, 29 math). However, I got a 12 on the ACT essay, which is like 100th percentile and very few people get this score. Should I retake the ACT as well to bring up the composite score so I can show the colleges this exceptional essay score?
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Replies to: Submit SAT or ACT?

  • skieuropeskieurope 41038 replies7688 threads Super Moderator
    edited June 2019
    Should I retake the ACT as well to bring up the composite score so I can show the colleges this exceptional essay score?
    Without going through your past posts to see what colleges you are targeting (I remember Yale without looking), I would say no.

    For a couple of reasons:
    1/ Not all colleges superscore ACT, so you might not get the benefit if you score higher, but with a lower essay.
    2/ The number of colleges requiring SAT with essay or ACT with essay is dwindling. Sure, they'll still consider it, but the essay score is a really small part of the application, and they'd rather see your writing through the Common App essays.

    If you really want them to see your 12, which is great, send it in.
    edited June 2019
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  • RichInPittRichInPitt 2442 replies39 threads Senior Member
    Don’t overweight the essay score. It’s becoming less and less meaningful, and never really was anywhere near as important as the actual test score.

    Your 33 is from rounding up a 32.5, vs. a concorded 34 on the SAT. You’d need to pick up 4 points just to make them equivalent. A superscore means you’ve taken it at least twice, so significant improvement is unlikely. And some schools don’t superscore.

    I don’t see a reason to invest in further ACT testing.
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  • lookingforwardlookingforward 35411 replies399 threads Senior Member
    edited June 2019
    If you're a stem wannabe, the 32 and 29 are low for tippy tops. (As is the 710.)

    You seem to need to learn a little bit more about how this all works. So many colleges now ignore the essay score.
    edited June 2019
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