My daughter bombed her ACT - move on to SAT?

[Anonymous]

She has been taking practice tests with composites ranging from 32-34. We were hoping she would be one and done. She ended up with:

English 35
Math 33
Reading 28
Science 24

Composite 30.

She is really upset. She knew she messed up Reading but Science is the lowest she has ever had. Does she try again or move onto SAT? We really can’t afford all these tests or submitting them to all the colleges. I had no idea how expensive all this testing gets.

[Anonymous]

30 means bombed?

[Anonymous]

Cost for testing and sending scores is a drop in the bucket compared to what you'll be paying for college. Stop being ridiculous.

[Anonymous]

if you think 30 is bombing i feel sorry for your daughter.

[Anonymous]

You are lacking perspective.

[Anonymous]

For kids aiming for 20-something, a 30 is an excellent score. For kids aiming for 32-34, 30 is, indeed, a disappointment. I'd not switch over to SAT unless you are sure she can score better. Study R/S sections more and retake. Apply to schools that superscore.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:She has been taking practice tests with composites ranging from 32-34. We were hoping she would be one and done. She ended up with:

English 35
Math 33
Reading 28
Science 24

Composite 30.

She is really upset. She knew she messed up Reading but Science is the lowest she has ever had. Does she try again or move onto SAT? We really can’t afford all these tests or submitting them to all the colleges. I had no idea how expensive all this testing gets.

OP: what did your daughter do to study? I would advise taking one more time before switching to SAT, but only if she is willing to do some targeted study.

[Anonymous]

Reading and science are essentially the same -- it's a test of reading comprehension and speed.

Your child may well have the same challenge on the SAT. Get her a couple ACT prep books that will show her where she is going wrong, and more practice. A lot.

[Anonymous]

While you might know that an ACT composite of 33 is 99th percentile, you obviously don't know that "one and done" testing only happens for about 1%.

Certainly, if she has had scores from 32 to 34 on practice tests she would just as surely be retaking a 32.

Stick with the ACT, she will super score out of it with one or two retakes, the SAT is starting all over again and even harder to "one and done".

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:She has been taking practice tests with composites ranging from 32-34. We were hoping she would be one and done. She ended up with:

English 35
Math 33
Reading 28
Science 24

Composite 30.

She is really upset. She knew she messed up Reading but Science is the lowest she has ever had. Does she try again or move onto SAT? We really can’t afford all these tests or submitting them to all the colleges. I had no idea how expensive all this testing gets.

Which practice tests did she take? Not all are same. You need to practice using old retired ACT exam tests.

[Anonymous]

Oh my. This is why kids can barely function these days!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Oh my. This is why kids can barely function these days!

What do you mean?

[Anonymous]

I'd be jumping for joy if my DD got these scores.

[Anonymous]

Science is the hardest section for most kids. Keep practicing and try again

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Reading and science are essentially the same -- it's a test of reading comprehension and speed.

Your child may well have the same challenge on the SAT. Get her a couple ACT prep books that will show her where she is going wrong, and more practice. A lot.

Speed is the issue in ACT. It is not for SAT. If that is the problem, I would switch.