Do colleges care about ACT essay?

An ACT Writing score provides a benchmark that can help admissions officers gauge the appropriate course level for new students. Scholarship programs may require an ACT Writing score as part of their selection process. Check out our ACT Writing tips if you're considering taking this section.

Do colleges look at the ACT essay?

The essay scores do not get factored into your composite scores for the SAT or ACT. The majority of colleges will ignore these scores completely, and those who do consider essay scores often view them as far less important than other aspects of your application.

Does the ACT essay matter?

Taking the writing test does not affect your subject area scores or your Composite score. However, without a writing test score, no English Language Arts (ELA) score will be reported.

Do colleges take ACT seriously?

The ACT is Accepted

So you can rest easy knowing that if you take the ACT, you do not need to take the SAT to get into college. In terms of nominal legitimacy, the ACT is equal to or even above the SAT. Universities will accept ACT takers universally.

Do colleges look at the ACT?

College admission tests like the SAT and ACT are standardized tests typically taken in your junior or senior year. Colleges use scores from these tests to help them make admission decisions.

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Do colleges prefer the ACT or SAT?

This is a common misconception. Colleges don't have a preference between the SAT or ACT so it's important to know how to choose the test that's right for you. Both tests are widely accepted across U.S. colleges—including those that are test optional.

Is the ACT really important for college?

Colleges use ACT scores to place you in the right classes at the right level. And, your ACT score can help you place out of remedial coursework rather than sitting for additional placement tests on campus — saving time and money!

How competitive is a 30 ACT score?

Out of the multitudes of people who take the ACT exam, a score of 30+ positions the student in the leading 93rd percent nationwide. The results demonstrate that your performance on the test's English, Math, Reading, and Science section was noticeably beyond average.

Does ACT predict college success?

The study determined that both a student's ACT score and their high school GPA (HSGPA) effectively predicted long-term success during college. Overall, they found that ACT scores were a more accurate predictor, and that ACT benchmarks also provided compelling evidence.

Does a bad ACT score hurt you?

(Read more about how many students get a 36 ACT every year and how their admissions chances are improved.) So to recap, any ACT score below 33 will lower your chances at the most selective schools. And any score below a 30 is decidedly low for top colleges.

Can the ACT essay hurt your score?

Your score in the writing section will not affect your scores on the multiple-choice or your Composite score. The writing section is a 40-minute essay test that measures your writing skills—specifically, writing skills taught in high school English classes and in entry-level college composition courses.

Is a 23 on the ACT bad?

Colleges consider a range of ACT scores when making admissions decisions, giving students some flexibility. Commonly, students with scores in the range of 20-23 are still considered competitive at many mid-tier colleges. For more selective schools, a score in the 24-28 range will increase your chances of admission.

Is a 7 on the ACT essay good?

As you can see from this table, the mean, or average, score on the ACT Writing section is 6. It's a good idea to aim for at least the 75th percentile, so in this case a good ACT writing score would be an 8 or above. A 9 or above would put you in the 96th percentile, which is great!

Does ACT report cheating to colleges?

Even if you did actually cheat, the College Board and ACT won't tell colleges you're a cheater or ban you from retesting. If you're caught at the testing center, your test will be confiscated, and your score will be canceled if you finished your test. You'll be forced to take a paid retest.

Is a 12 on ACT good?

Below Average ACT Scores

Scores below a 15 on the ACT are considered low at just about any four-year college. You can overcome low scores with a great GPA or an outstanding college application. But even if you're accepted, the school may ask you to take some remedial courses before enrolling.

How much do colleges look at ACT?

Schools vary considerably in the kinds of ACT scores they look for in applicants. Less selective institutions tend to accept scores closer to the national average (21), whereas more competitive universities often prefer scores in the 32-36 range.

Is 26 ACT good enough for Ivy League?

With a score of 26, you are in the 83th to 85th percentile of all test takers. More likely than not, with a score of 26, you'll often be in or near the commonly accepted range at selective colleges. The exception may be the most selective colleges and the Ivy League.

Is 28 a competitive ACT score?

With a 28, you're an extremely competitive candidate at a majority of schools, as well as able to consider applying to more selective institutions as well. Since one of the purposes of taking the ACT is to generate a large number of college options to choose from, a score of 28 accomplishes this goal.

Do ACT scores matter anymore?

Even as many colleges extend their test-optional admissions policies another year, the ACT and SAT still can greatly affect merit-based scholarships and college admissions. Test optional really is only for those excited to pay full price. JUMPING THAT SCORE remains the best-paying job a high school student can have.

Is a 1200 ACT score good?

For example, a score in the 75th percentile (approximately a 1200 on the SAT or a 24 on the ACT) would likely be strongly considered at most competitive colleges, while applicants scoring in the 90th percentile or higher (a 1350 on the SAT or a 29 on the ACT) would likely be well received even at highly competitive ...

Is a 35 hard to get on the ACT?

On the ACT, 34 and up is the 99th percentile.

So if you score 34 or higher, you're in the top 1% of test takers!

Is 19 a good ACT score?

The average ACT score is 19. Therefore, earning this score means you performed within the 50th percentile of test takers.

Do UK colleges require ACT?

UK is fully test optional for admissions and scholarship. Each college with selective majors have different requirements for test-optional students. Learn more about those options here. Do I need to submit ACT or SAT scores for scholarship consideration?

Do colleges see every ACT you take?

For example: If you took both the September and October ACT administrations, and decided to send colleges your September scores, colleges will see what you got on all the tests in the September ACT (English, Math, Reading, and Science—and, if you took the ACT Plus Writing, they would see your Writing Test scores, too).

Is it bad to not study for the ACT?

Bottom line: taking the SAT or ACT without at least minimal prepping is never a good idea. While you can take these tests as many times as you like, we advise students not to take any test more than 4 times, and taking a test twice is really ideal.