My daughter has tried around 10 times to take either the SAT or ACT. Most got canceled. Once we drove an hour and a half before learning of the cancellation. She was able to get one of each in, but she is not happy with her scores. She got a 1360 on her SAT. She was hoping to to get over 1400. She had one bad reading comprehension section that test. Her last ACT she was happy with all her scores (between 31 and 33) except the science section (25). Overall she got a 30. She can’t believe that science score. She has routinely scored between 32 and 34 on practice exams. She has no idea how that score was possible. I know these tests are optional this year, but she is now considering taking a Dec ACT because she knows she can do better. She’s applying to some schools that she believes a 30 may make admissions questionable such as UMaryland.
I’d be interested on any thoughts on her situation.
If she’s taken the ACT only once, and scored below where she thought she would based on practice tests, and has an opportunity to take it again, it certainly seems to me that she should.
Based on your data, keeping the other sections at 31-33, and a 32-24 on Science, would result in a 32-33, which would be meaningfully different than a 30. A 30 is above 25th percentile but below the midpoint at UMd. A 32-33 would be at or near the 75th percentile, which is a better place to be.
Given pandemic trends, I suspect December tests are at even more risk than previous tests, but it’s certainly subject to regional conditions. Good luck.
"Section Retesting:
Retake one specific test section, instead of the full test. Section retesting enables students to showcase their skills and accomplishments gained over a lifetime – not just their test-taking abilities on a particular day.
Our priority is to expand access to full ACT testing, particularly for students in need of a composite score for admissions decisions, scholarship opportunities, placement, and career insights. In order to do this, the rollout of section retesting has been postponed."
Conventional wisdom is don’t submit a score unless it is above the median of accepted (not enrolled, which will be lower) students. Part of the decision will be whether or not your daughter is just burned out on gearing up for testing over and over in the middle of all the other things she has going on in her senior year. That can be incredibly stressful and frustrating to some. If she is game, then no harm in taking it again. If she is over test taking, and has a strong GPA/Course Rigor/Essays/EC, then she may want to just stand on the rest of the application. Good luck to her.