When I took the ACT the first time, I got a 34. I took it a second time, and got a 33. I sent it to the four free colleges before I knew my score. Will this hurt my chances? Or will colleges just look at the highest score and ignore the second one?
Depends upon the particular schools to which you sent your scores.
But a vast, vast majority of schools will consider your best score.
Not much difference between the two scores, so not worthy of serious concern.
For future schools, you can delete your 2nd test date (as long as not paid for by your school/state IIRC.) Scroll down to Sending Scores and keep in mind that it takes a few weeks: https://www.act.org/content/act/en/products-and-services/the-act/help.html#scores
I wouldn’t bother for 1 point that won’t matter to (at least) 99+% of schools.
@RichInPitt Some schools require applicants to submit all ACT scores, and the ACT charges per test date unlike the SAT. By deleting the worse score, OP will save money if any of OP’s schools require all scores.
The list of schools that require all tests is…?
I know of 3, and all three say your highest score is mostly what they “consider/give the most weight”
OP, if you’re applying to one of the 3 of the 2,000 colleges in the US, and are worried about $13 when applying to $40K/yr colleges, or that the schools won’t do what they say and consider your highest score, and think 1 point is meaningful, then yes, take the time to cancel the first score. And be sure to wait a few weeks before requesting any scores, even though most apps are due in about 6 weeks, with holiday.
I wouldn’t.