Taking the ACT exam multiple times

I'm feeling a bit stressed about the ACT exam. How many times can you take the ACT exam? Would taking it multiple times look bad for college applications?

There isn't a strict limit on the number of times you can take the ACT exam, but it's generally advised to take the test no more than three times. Taking the exam multiple times is common, and it doesn't necessarily look bad for college applications. In fact, many colleges and universities practice "superscoring," which means they take the highest score from each section of the test, even if those scores were earned on separate test dates.

That said, it's essential to strike a balance between retaking the test and focusing on other aspects of your college application. You want to make sure you have enough time to refine other parts of your application, like your grades, extracurriculars, and essays. Instead of aiming for a perfect score by taking the test over and over, focus on improving strategically.

The best approach is to create a study plan and schedule your first ACT exam. After receiving your score, identify areas where you can improve and adjust your study plan accordingly. Then, set a realistic target score and retake the test after a focused period of preparation.

For most students, two to three attempts are sufficient to achieve their target score. It's essential to be thoughtful about how many times to take the test, as taking it too many times can lead to diminishing returns and may consume valuable time and energy. The number of testing attempts also partly depends on how early you start in your high school career and how close you are to your desired score after each attempt.

In conclusion, taking the ACT multiple times won't necessarily look bad on your college applications, but make sure to wisely use your time and effort in balancing your test preparation with other important aspects of your application.