I’m a senior with a 34 on the ACT (two sittings) and a 2120 on the SAT (one sitting). I’m taking the ACT Plus Writing in September and hoping to maintain my 34 and get a 10+ on the essay. My anxious, stressed-out self tells me to take the October and November administrations of both these tests in an effort to get the highest possible scores. I’m particularly worried about going down a point or two on the ACT. However, many here on CC think taking the tests multiple times looks bad or has a negative result. What would you recommend?
Seriously don’t need to take the standardized tests anymore, a 34 ACT is good enough.
I wouldn’t retake.
Either taking SAT subject tests or doing something else would be a better use of time.
Is your current ACT with writing? If so, no need to try for a higher essay score. It doesn’t measure good writing anyway.
Actually, a 34 is a good score. You don’t need to retake it. However, if you did it without writing consider retaking it.
Also, I spoke with an Admissions Officer at NYU and they said that it has no negative bearing if you take the test even five times. It shows that you are determined and want a good score. Then again, your score is already in the 99th percentile.
Ordinarily I would agree that a 34 is sufficient, but I’m hoping for admission to Ivy League Schools. I think that extra point or two could be the determining factor. My current score doesn’t have the writing component, which is why I’m taking it in September. I worry that, in September, I may receive a 33. That is why I see a possible need to take it with writing again in October/November. As for the SAT, I’m just not satisfied with my score yet.
@MITer94 , I have taken the SAT Subject Tests in Literature and U.S. History and received a 740 and a 750, respectively. After much deliberation, I have come to a tentative decision not to take any more SAT II’s.
@Ahlesaadat , thanks a lot for the info! That is really helpful.
I would take one more subject test in a non-humanities/social science subject, such as the Math II or Chemistry/Bio/Physics.
And I think the 34 on the ACT is a fine score, but you do need to do an ACT with writing.
If you don’t have the writing component, take it once more then I’d say move on. Once you’re in the upper-score range (33/34+), I really don’t think it matters too much whether you have a 34/35/36, etc. I would actually discourage taking tests multiple times, especially for Ivy League schools. I remember that one Ivy League (can’t remember which, it has been too long now haha) actually said explicitly on their site that they don’t recommend taking more than 2 tests, with 3 at the most; it shows an obsession with perfection (and testing) that schools really aren’t looking for.Your 34 will be fine; everything else in your application will make the difference whether you get in or not and is way more important. I took the ACT once, got a 34 (with an 8 on the essay; I don’t think the essay matters too much), and eventually got into 4 Ivy Leagues, so I can be a testament to this. Best of luck to you!
Some schools do require ACT with writing in the same sitting. That is what the OP is aiming for. I guess one of the two previous ACT attempts was a state mandated one which sometimes not including the writing part.
Did you take any of the two previous ACT tests with writing? If so, don’t retake.
If you need a writing score, you must retake anyway, so prep for it one more time, and do the very best you can.
You will always have the 34 in the bank.
That is not a bad fall back position!