Retaking the ACT

Test Preparation
1

So on my last ACT I scored a 34 as the composite score but received a 31 on the ELA. I think that I can score higher on the ELA since the last time I took the ACT my writing time was cut by 10 minutes, getting me a 25 as my writing score. I know that my composite score is good, but I’m applying to some pretty selective schools, such as Stanford, and thought that that 25 for my writing score and 31 as my ELA score wasn’t going to cut it. So I’m retaking it again tomorrow. However a lot of parents have warned my mom that I’m making the wrong decision, and so I am considering just taking it tomorrow and cancelling it or even cancelling it today (of course, I would pay my parents back for the test fee).

But I guess I just wanted to know what you guys think? I’ve been studying for the ACT and want to score a 36, but as of right now, my main goal is to improve my writing score to at least 32. Do you think I should retake the ACT or not? (Btw I’ve only take the ACT once. Tomorrow will be my second time)

2

You want to retake the test because your 99th%ile ELA score is too low?
http://www.act.org/content/dam/act/unsecured/documents/NormsChartSTEMELAWriting-Web2015-16.pdf

3

@“Erin’s Dad” Well I was just looking at Stanford’s data (since that’s my dream school) and over half of them score from 30-36 and considering that my ELA is a 31 (so on the lower spectrum of that 54%) and my writing score is even much lower than a 30. Plus I think I could do much better with 10 more minutes. That’s just a look at how my thought process went

4

I’m having the exact same problem! Same scores and everything! Did you end up cancelling?