Hello! I recently took the ACT and got a 33. Is this a good score? I'm not sure how competitive it is for college admissions. Can anyone give me advice on what kind of schools would consider this score competitive? I'm curious if I should retake it in hopes of a higher score or not. Thanks!
Hello! A 33 on the ACT is indeed a solid score, as it places you in the 98th percentile of test-takers nationally. This means that you scored higher than 98% of all test-takers, which is an impressive accomplishment. A score of 33 is competitive for a wide range of colleges, including some highly selective schools.
However, the answer to whether your score is competitive for a particular school will depend on which colleges you're interested in applying to. You can check the middle 50% ACT score range for the schools you're interested in to get a sense of whether your score is competitive for those colleges. If your score comfortably falls within or above that range for a college, your chances of being admitted will be higher.
Nevertheless, it's important to remember that standardized test scores are only one component of the college application process, and schools are increasingly looking at other factors like rigorous coursework, extracurricular activities, essays, and more in determining admissions. If you feel that the rest of your application is strong and well-rounded, and your score aligns with the schools you're aiming for, you may not necessarily need to retake the ACT in hopes of a higher score.
However, if you want to improve your chances at the most selective colleges where the average ACT scores are higher or nearer to 34-36 range, a retake might be worth considering. But keep in mind that only retake the test if you believe that you can dedicate adequate time to prepare and improve your score. If you think that your time would be better spent working on other aspects of your application, such as bolstering extracurriculars or focusing on your essays, then that might be a more productive use of your time.
Ultimately, the decision to retake the ACT will depend on your personal goals and the specific schools you have your sights set on. Good luck!
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