I took the ACT with writing in June but had a really bad panic attack during the test and didn’t finish a lot of it. I got a 30 on my math practice test the day before but ended up scoring a 26 even though i had been prepping for months. That is the same score i got the first time i took the ACT back in April so it was really upsetting to me. Should I try to take the ACT again in the fall or just turn in my application for schools with rolling admission and have it be done with. (also GPA - 3.5, SAT: 1330)
Take it again. Better score = better opportunity. More selective schools = better funding.
Take an ACT prep class over the summer.
It depends. What schools are you looking at? Do your current academic stats (including SAT score) give you a very good chance to get in?
In generally it is best to apply early to rolling schools. The exception would be if you feel you can significantly straighten your application by waiting.
The 1330 SAT seems to translate into about a 28-29 ACT. If you are confident that you can better your ACT substantially and improve your chances for admission, then you might consider waiting and retaking the ACT. But if you feel you took the ACT twice and will likely do about the same if you re-take it again, then I’d apply to the rolling schools in the fall.
It depends on which schools you’re applying to. Are the middle 50% scores at those schools between a 22-25? If so, then retaking it may not be necessary. Is the middle 50% a 28-33? It depends.
I wouldn’t spend a lot of money trying to get your scores up. I bought the ACT black book and ACT prep guide and moved my score up from a 27 to a 32 in less than a month by studying for 3 hrs/day for 3 weeks straight. I have friends who got their scores moved up by even greater margins. So if you’re looking for prep, the ACT black book is the place to go.
Do what’s best for your mental well-being. If you think trying to take it again will trigger another panic attack, then I’d lean towards not. A 26 is good enough for plenty of schools in beautiful places. Remember, your health and happiness are what’s most important.
I would retake the SAT, looks like you may have a better chance of improving that to be more competitive at the selectitve colleges.