ACT TEST

quote:

Originally posted by FastballDad:
A couple of points

First in our experience, the test you take as a state requirement is not usually considered a National Test Date so it is kind of unofficial.
I think that has changed and the PSAE's are now considered full fledged ACT's.

We were also shown some stats (baseball guys have look at stats) that show that not much improvement is usually made after the first two or three times you take the test.

I would offer one proviso here. My son took the test 4 times. Once with no instruction, twice with a tutor, and the final time with a new tutor.

As FBD stated, there wasn't much difference in the first three scores, with or without a tutor. For the final test, he needed to increase his English score to be admitted to West Point. We asked him who his best English teacher was, contacted her, and had her tutor him for the ACT (something she already did regularly). His English score jumped 8 points and his cumulative score 4 points.

My advice, is to get a tutor, but not some person that claims to specialize in ACT or SAT tests, but someone with a proven track record with your kid. Get a former teacher that he/she relates well too, that has gotten through to him in the past. Our results were nothing but eye opening.

Oh Ripcord!!!!!!!!!

You are such a card!!!!!!!!

A card that was obviously wrong, but a card nonetheless!!!!!!!

Wrong about what?

My score jumped 3 points overall between the first and the second time. If only I could have increased the science portion. That's the only thing on mine that didn't increase. English and Math jumped 6 and 7 respectively, and Reading went up 1 but that was ok because it was already plenty high.

I took the writing portion, but really I had no need for it.

Why the validity and usefulness of taking the actual test multiple times even without receiving feedback form the first test, you silly goose!!!!!!!!!!!!

Tell me again why you need to take the test multiple times?

quote:

Tell me again why you need to take the test multiple times?

Why do people feel the need to spend thousands of dollars to go to showcases and play "elite" baseball?

It's all about getting "college interest" and the higher ACT score, the better schools you might qualify for.

One difference is there are MANY scholarships that are 'no questions asked' if you score a certain ACT composite score.

So you take the ACT test every week to go to showcases and play "elite" baseball?

Let me add a few items here. First, all colleges may consider standardized testing differently, so you will need to check with each particular school. I think they will all take with ACT (most if not all will require the writing portion) as well as the SAT, which automatically has writing in it, even though not all colleges will consider the writing portion of the SAT (longer story here). Not all schools require SAT subject tests, but some do - so again check your colleges.

Further, all colleges treat the tests differently in terms of how they apply them or consider them. I think many if not most take the highest score of each section from each individual sitting, but some will take only the highest complete sitting. So again, check your colleges admissions' requirements.

Lastly, when you submit your SAT test scores to a college, the SAT group will automatically send ALL scores from all sittings, including any subject test scores taken (you cannot pick and chose which ones to send, i.e., you cannot say, send my December and May scores, but not my March scores). The ACT group, however, submits individually - that is to say, you select which ACT testing sittings you want to send to the colleges of your choice (so here you CAN say, please send my February sitting but not my April sitting).

Finally, the SAT and the ACT do not overlap on national testing dates, so you can take both, once or as many times as you like (just know that when the SAT reports, ALL scores will be sent). And, the SAT will offer on many of its national testing dates both the SAT and the SAT subject tests, the latter of which you may pay for and take up to 3 subject tests per sitting.

All this being said, there is a conventional wisdom that says that the more testing you take, the better your scores will be. I say this with one caveat, at some point (I think it is after about the 3rd sitting), you scores will not project to increase, and may even project to decrease.

The SAT and ACT are different in their manner of testing techniques and vary on the subject matter too (ACT includes science). So, you should be aware of this depending upon the type of test taker you are. A tutor can assist you here.

Sufficiently confusing? Sorry, don't beat me up, I am just the messenger.

quote:

ACT (most if not all will require the writing portion)

This must be new. Not a single college I applied to 18 months-2 years ago required the writing portion. That included the United States Military Academy at West Point.

Not saying you're wrong; just not my experience

The SAT changed for the graduating class of 2006 (which I assume includes you?). It came in to existence in 2005, when the 2006 class was in junior year. At that time and for the class of 2006 only, colleges accepted both the old SAT (no writing) OR the new SAT (with writing). The following year, class of 2007, who would predominantly test in their junior year (2006) and maybe a little in the fall of 2007, the new tests are required by most schools (which include writing).

That's likely why you did not take the test with writing. Hope that answers your question.

Hope that helps you.

no11, Class of 2007 here

Things change so often it's hard to say

We just got notified of a possible time change for this Saturdays game due to the test.

Heard Sam Dickstein Deerfield out dueled Zach McMahon of GBN yesterday.

Bulldog:

I am not sure we are talking about the same thing. I also don't know if you took the ACT or the SAT. However, with the new SAT it automatically has writing in it. The ACT does not and so you must request to take the ACT with writing when signing up to take the test. Not all schools consider the writing portion of the SAT when making college entrance decisions, but if you take the SAT you must take the writing portion.

quote:

I think they will all take with ACT (most if not all will require the writing portion)

This is from your post on 22 April 2008. It appears you're referring to the ACT which is what I have taken. After that you appear to be referring to the SAT which I have not taken.

Well, again, I'm not sure we're on the same topic. The ACT still offers a test without writing, but most if not all schools require you to take it with writing. Since the ACT does not automatically come with writing, you must request it.

Nevertheless, I think we've just about beaten this horse to death.