Is a 31 worth retaking?

Test Preparation
1

I just wanted to know if with these stats will a 31 be worth retaking? I intend to apply to 20 schools on commonapp. Emory, NYU, U of Miami, USC, Rice, Notre Dame, Northeastern, Fordham, Boston College, Tufts, Wake Forest, Wash U, U of Rochester, And then the Ivies as a crapshoot

Basic:
*White male from Texas
*Computer Science Major
*GPA: 3.7/4.2 (UW/W)
*Rank: 8/440
*ACT: 31 (E 33 M 30 R 28 S 32) - Retaking September and October

EC’S:
*Cross Country - Varsity 4 years - State Championship
*Track - Varsity 2 years
*Texas Boys State
*Black belt in Tae Kwondo
*JROTC - 1 year
*Academic Decathlon - 2 years
*Distinguished Achievement Program
*Texas Scholar Program
*Volunteered in the Houston flood relief for a month ~300 hours

Awards:
*National Honor Society
*AP Scholar

Work:
*Worked at golf course - 8 weeks and 30 hours a week

Essays:
*Won Patriots Penn Essay competition ($250 prize) so should be decent - not sure what to write about yet

I am in a gap year right now, volunteered and worked so far. I am wondering if I should add improving ACT to my list of things to do. Once I finish apps I am going to backpack Europe (not using in application, doing it for experience). Responses appreciated

2

Yes, just work on your math and reading for the next test.

3

Yes. Even one more point can net you some merit options.

4

bump

5

It would be particularly worth retaking if some of your schools superscore the ACT, which is happening more frequently. Good luck with all of your apps, and have fun in Europe!

6

You could use a few more points. Your class rank is great but your unweighted GPA is a bit low for some of these schools to be a sure thing. If you had a 33 or higher your chances would improve a lot.

7

Would a 33 superscore with two 31’s be as good as a straight 33?

8

no but its still good

9

Yes because some schools superscore the ACTs-so even if you go down on some subtests, going up on some can make a big difference. I’ve known students who got scores like 32/36/33/36 and 36/32/36/33. The composite did not change but when super scored it was 36/36/36/36. The 1st two subscores are the most important since they are the most valid predictors of 1st year grades while the 2nd two add noise.

10

Wait you’re a state champion runner? Are you being recruited for track? If so the ACT will probably be enough

11

Yes. Pretty unanimous, even though you don’t want to hear it. High scores open a lot more doors.

12

Here we go November ACT!

13

There is an ACT Test in December. Work on the reading and math to move your super score.

14

@HereToHelpYou Okay I will. Any ideas on how to improve reading or math? (reading especially, got 28 every time i took it)