<p>So yesterday I did my first and last ACT exam. I grew up in Europe and was taught under the British Curriculum, and as a result, studying for and even taking the exam itself was never really presented to me as a necessity. First time I looked at an ACT practice exam, I freaked out cause it looked so foreign to me… The wording and terminology is completely different to anything I’ve ever done. I’m taking a gap year (to prepare for auditions and this exam) and I studied religiously for the past four months and I felt like I was completely ready for it. Unfortunately, yesterday didn’t go so well… I’m not positive but I just felt like I wasn’t doing my best throughout the entire exam and now I’m expecting a really low score </p>
<p>The rest of my application is very competitive; nothing less than A+ in every subject for the past three years… Good recommendations, strong essays… Exceptionally good Cambridge IGCSE and A-Level results… </p>
<p>The problem is that I’m applying to some highly competitive schools for both BA and BFA and I’m just worried that my application will be ruined because of a bad score… </p>
<p>My questions is, (more so for BA programs) do admissions perhaps tend be less strict on standardized test scores for theatre majors? Since the people who are good in performing are not necessarily going to be math and science experts… </p>
<p>Wait for the test results. Truly dreadful scores might affect your chances at a few schools, but, considering your background, I doubt that your scores will be truly dreadful. Some pure conservatory programs are test-optional (as, in fact, are some colleges). Other colleges will only be interested in your verbal/writing scores. Very few of the top BFA schools will insist on spectacular scores, but some will want good scores. High standardized test scores are essential if you are considering some selective BA programs (e.g. Yale, Northwestern, et al), however.</p>
<p>The good news is is that you can take the ACT again and submit the scores you want to submit to schools. Have you looked at the advice on the ACT section on CC? There are folks who spend a lot of time explaining strategies that have made a big difference in their scores. </p>
<p>My D really struggled with the math portion of the ACT and then she got a tutor (mainly to help with her HS math class) and that tutor helped her with ACT prep as well. I think BA schools will look at scores more closely than BFAs. Something else to remember is that scholarships are based on academics, yes, but those scores are pretty important to. </p>
<p>I would say, “Do not stress” because you can take the ACT again. :0) Something I tell my kiddo is, “Don’t work harder, work smarter.” Best wishes to you.</p>
<p>I am hoping that the BA programs I’ve applied for will take my whole application into consideration and not just low scores. I’m dreading the day the results come out. </p>
<p>I would take it again but from what I understand is that since I’m planning to begin college in the fall, the December exam is the last score any schools will accept… is this wrong??</p>
<p>I would advise you to call the schools and ask if they take scores later. One of the schools on my D’s list takes scores up until June prior to the academic year! (Although my kiddo is DONE in every way in regards to taking that test again! haha!)</p>
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