ACT or ACT plus writing?

2

2014

5-Year Member
Joined
Apr 11, 2013
Messages
43
Current junior, SAT math 670, reading 650,

Should I take ACT or ACT plus writing? Thank you.
 
Personally, I had always been told that even if a school says the writing part is optional, it looks better to just take it anyway. So I always took ACT +writing but that's just me
 
Thanks, BMW, if get a low score on writing, will that affect English section?
 
ACT + Writing

USAFA prefers the ACT + Writing. There will be a separate score for it so there it will not affect the actual English score.
 
I don't think so... I never really did all that great on the writing but I still had a good English section. I'm obviously not in admissions so don't quote me on this but I think it won't hurt you (since it's not technically required) but can only help you if you do really well on it.
 
It's required for most of the SAs (not sure about AFA). It can't hurt you too bad though, it does not factor into the composite score at all.
 
Here is the thing: for the writing part, just do it. It will do less harm if you do it and bomb then if you didn't do it at all, I'm sure we can all agree on that.

As for ACT vs SAT it depends on how you think. The test are worded diffrently, people who do one, generally, do worse on the other. Have to take both to see where your best scores are at. Don't forget about superscoring either.
 
i think if you're going to apply to usma or usna one or the other might require the writing... don't exactly remember but i took it anyway
 
Tman910 said:
Here is the thing: for the writing part, just do it. It will do less harm if you do it and bomb then if you didn't do it at all, I'm sure we can all agree on that.

As for ACT vs SAT it depends on how you think. The test are worded diffrently, people who do one, generally, do worse on the other. Have to take both to see where your best scores are at. Don't forget about superscoring either.
Click to expand...

The way you worded that confuses me a lot. I mean, yeah, people tend to do worse on one or the other and not get identical scores, but I would really disagree that going from the SAT to the ACT makes you score lower.

I took the SAT twice and followed up with the ACT WITHOUT writing and then the ACT WITH writing. Every test my score went up except the last one. I would say that the more tests you take, ACT or SAT, your score should go up a little because you get a little better at the little things that make slight differences, such as not being stressed out on the multiple choice.

I also prefered to take the ACT WITHOUT writing first because the writing mindset tended to hurt me once I got to the MC section. This theory of mine proved true, and I only dropped points to include the writing.
 
Ambition said:
The way you worded that confuses me a lot. I mean, yeah, people tend to do worse on one or the other and not get identical scores, but I would really disagree that going from the SAT to the ACT makes you score lower.

I took the SAT twice and followed up with the ACT WITHOUT writing and then the ACT WITH writing. Every test my score went up except the last one. I would say that the more tests you take, ACT or SAT, your score should go up a little because you get a little better at the little things that make slight differences, such as not being stressed out on the multiple choice.

I also prefered to take the ACT WITHOUT writing first because the writing mindset tended to hurt me once I got to the MC section. This theory of mine proved true, and I only dropped points to include the writing.
Click to expand...

On my ACT the essay was at the end, it was a nice contrary to the SAT essay first style.
 
Ambition said:
I also prefered to take the ACT WITHOUT writing first because the writing mindset tended to hurt me once I got to the MC section.
Click to expand...

ACT writing is always the last section (unlike SAT writing which is always first) so I don't think that would really be a factor.
 
Anytime the military says "highly encouraged" it means you should probably do it.

The writing portion is highly encouraged.
 
Sorry guys, I completely forgot that the writing section was last. I was more or less thinking of my feelings the first time I took the ACT. That time I felt like an essay wore me out so I opted-out, not knowing that USAFA wanted the essay or that it would be administered at the end.

I did well enough on my ACT the first time, so when I took it with writing when I finally got the essay more or less I don't believe I put a ton of effort into it.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top