<p>I just got my detailed score report for the ACT. I received a 35 on the English, Reading, and Science sections but only missed one question in each of them. Other forums made it sound like I could miss up to 2 questions on Reading and still get a perfect score. I guess I’m just wondering if this has happened to anyone else. Also, should I send a letter or something to ask about my score or just not worry about it?</p>
<p>“Also, should I send a letter or something to ask about my score or just not worry about it?”</p>
<p>What would that accomplish? You were graded with the same curve as everyone else taking the test.
I haven’t taken the ACT and am not familiar with the test, but realize that the curve changes per test for standardized tests in order to maintain the validity of the test each time it is released.</p>
<p>Sending a letter would probably not accomplish anything other than making me feel better.</p>
<p>You can only trust CC! ha hah! :)</p>
<p>Honestly… I understand why you would be upset over a 35, instead of a 36. But then again, you’ve scored in the 99th percentile and should be very proud! ACT, similar to the SAT, does change its curving at different times…</p>
<p>I’d say SAT is more generous on sections though</p>
<p>It’s useless to question the scaling curve. ACT, Inc., used an equating process to construct it. The section scaling curve for each specific test date is adjusted up/down to compensate for the slight variation in difficulty level across test forms. For example, on certain test forms a student can miss one question on the Math section and still score a 36…whereas on other test forms, one mistake may result in a section score of 35.</p>
<p>If you’re scoring at the top end of the scale (34-36), you’ll want to take the test at least a couple of times to increase the likelihood you’ll encounter a harder test form with a more “generous” score scaling. This would give you slightly more wiggle room to make a mistake on an easier problem but still post a great score.</p>
<p>Okay thank you!</p>
<p>@pandakate32 The score just depends on the test. I feel you, I got a 35 too on the June test. But, unlike what other people suggested, DON’T TAKE THE TEST AGAIN. I get it, a 36 has a nice ring to it. That’s about it. It will not improve your chances for college admission at all; instead, it has the benefit of bragging rights. Are bragging rights really worth that? Plus, some schools require you send all ACT scores to them. Do you really want to show a college you retook the ACT with a 35. Work on college essays instead!</p>
<p>Barron’s mentions in one of its test prep books that you can get up to two wrong in reading and still get a 36. it mentions in the same book that one wrong in any other section drops you to 35. Barron’s does not say where it got its information. Usually one wrong in any section drops you out of 36 although there may be some tests where missing one in reading does not.You should probably just consider yourself lucky that you didn’t get one of the several test versions where one wrong in science drops you to a 34.</p>
<p>
@drusba: You are misinformed. The information which you quote from Barron’s is inaccurate.</p>
<p>Here’s one data point…
On the official April 2014 ACT, a student could miss one question on either the Math or the Science section and still earn a 36. On the same test, missing one question on the Reading section would scale to a 34.</p>
<p>Scoring scales are unique to each test form. Anyone who tells you otherwise…is flat-out wrong.</p>
<p>Basically, as everyone else has said, the “curve” varies based on the test. However, these “curves” are not based on the test-takers’ performance; rather, it is more of a scale that is predetermined by the ACT based on test difficulty.</p>
<p>What I’d like to add to the above responses is that a 35 on one test is designed to be the equivalent of a 35 on another test (i.e. if the same person were to take the test again with the same set of skills, he/she should get a 35 again…with some expected standard deviation). While a 36 does have a “nice ring to it” as someone previously mentioned, it is more than likely that you will end up with a score lower than a 35 (probability wise, you have a higher chance of missing more questions than missing fewer). So, stick with it and move to work on other parts of your app.</p>
<p>Good Luck! :)</p>
<p>This might be wrong, but I read somewhere on here that all scores above a 33 are viewed the same. If thats true, no need to waste your time retaking it, etc…</p>
<p>As someone who retested a 35 to get a 36, I don’t believe there is any advantage to doing it besides some self-gratification. Scores reach rapidly diminishing returns at around 2300/34 and up, and schools assuredly won’t care. As has been mentioned, it’s probably just luck that would get you from a 35 to a 36 or vice versa.</p>
<p>I am planning on retaking the test so that I can improve my math score. I really don’t care about getting a 36 all around(other than to beat my brother) so much I want to do well on my strong subjects to pad my math score. </p>
<p>@JustAnotherTry how did you prepare for your ACT?</p>