<p>First of all to posters above - 30 Act and 32 Act = Great scores. </p>
<p>As to which schools require writing, it is best to check the websites of each school for testing requirements. Less easily available is whether the schools superscore the ACT, and if they do, whether taking writing only once will allow that. In my own research for class of 2012 admissions, I found 3 schools that do not advertise super scored ACT, but if you asked admissions directly, they did. Others did not.</p>
<p>Also there is the issue of score choice. Very few schools actually require that you send all your scores (but also check directly with the schools so you know if you have any) and you can cherry pick test dates but not section scores. For many schools the additional test is at no disadvantage if you are not required to send the score.</p>
<p>ACT Science, in my opinion, is really tough to do well on, and is mainly about speed reading rather than science skills. However, for schools that might otherwise require SAT subject tests with SAT as the other testing method, you may often (BUT NOT always skip subject tests if you took ACT). A 36 science for someone interested in science is great.</p>
<p>I think math on the ACT is one of the easier subjects to improve on - for a strong math student. If your student is good in math, a review book which covers the topics that are on the test, and the practice tests can help a lot. The ACT came out with a new book recently with more tests in it. </p>
<p>My opinion is that reading and science are the hardest to improve upon for ACT.</p>
<p>I also think that some do better on one test than the other, and you won’t know much unless you at least try the practice tests (SAT had a book of 10).</p>
<p>FWIW, many kids take the test many times, even those going to to tippy top schools. I did not get into the SAT superscore discussion, but you can find that elsewhere on cc and also check with your colleges.</p>
<p>As painful as it seems to the HS kids to take the test more than once or twice, it is just another hurdle, and as much as many would like to argue that it is an aptitude test, it CAN be improved with practice - sometimes greatly improved. Depends on the student and the practice.</p>