Perfecting the ACT writing...

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Harleyboys98

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Any student out there a victim of a 9 or better on the ACT writing section?

I’ve taken the ACT with writing 4 times total, each attempt scoring an 8 on writing. I’ve heard the graders read through each essay in two minutes or less. I’m starting to think they grade on the amount written rather than content. I’m looking for last minute advice to improve this score before Saturday.
 
There are many blogs accessible by Google about this topic. My second son had to retake the entire ACT to improve his writing score for USMA and he was determined to make it! It worked. My third guy is taking it this Saturday and also hopes to move from the 8! PM if resources are needed after a Google.

Length is a biggie in the grading. Intro and conclusion also very important.

Good luck!
 
DS has taken ACT twice and scored a 10 on writing both times. His handwriting is terrible so I was shocked at his score. However, I do not think the writing score is that big of a deal or counts for much so I wouldn't sweat it. He would trade a much higher math ACT for an 8 on the writing all day. Have seen other comments that as long as the writing is a 6 or better, you are fine.
 
DS did mediocre on ACT essay and excellent on SAT. [He has my hereditary horrible handwriting despite K-8 in Catholic school.]

Found out later ACT writing scoring is heavily weighted to format vs content so make sure you research and religiously follow the 'structure' for ACT essay format.

You may want to also take SAT with essay in case your ACT tomorrow doesn't show major improvement.

Disclaimer: DS finished HS class of '17; his ACT essay was still scored out of possible 36 while SAT was out of possible 8. They keep monkeying with the scoring scales so who knows what this years test and score is like.
 
SAparent2023 said:
DS has taken ACT twice and scored a 10 on writing both times. His handwriting is terrible so I was shocked at his score. However, I do not think the writing score is that big of a deal or counts for much so I wouldn't sweat it. He would trade a much higher math ACT for an 8 on the writing all day. Have seen other comments that as long as the writing is a 6 or better, you are fine.
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Son 2 who is currently USMA 2021 had a near perfect math ACT and his RC advised a retest for an increased writing score. He was singing the blues but completed the task. His was on the larger scale once and the 1–12 the second time. Son 3 is hoping for at least a 10 tomorrow.

*Edited to add - son 3 has been reading the online tips for the writing this time as opposed to the first time when he flew by the seat of his pants. [emoji41]
 
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SAparent2023 said:
DS has taken ACT twice and scored a 10 on writing both times. His handwriting is terrible so I was shocked at his score. However, I do not think the writing score is that big of a deal or counts for much so I wouldn't sweat it. He would trade a much higher math ACT for an 8 on the writing all day. Have seen other comments that as long as the writing is a 6 or better, you are fine.
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I don't think there is a hard and fast rule about a 6 or better. My DS had a 7 on all of his writing and in the 11th hour his admissions contact said his writing score was "at risk" and his file needed to be reviewed by English dept. DS pointed out that he had a 35 in English and a 36 in Reading and the admissions contact said to disregard his comments about writing score.
My point in bringing this up is to not fall back on the idea that the writing is pass/fail or not important. He did not think it was important and it would appear that it was a bit more important than he gave it credit.
 
jebdad said:
I don't think there is a hard and fast rule about a 6 or better. My DS had a 7 on all of his writing and in the 11th hour his admissions contact said his writing score was "at risk" and his file needed to be reviewed by English dept. DS pointed out that he had a 35 in English and a 36 in Reading and the admissions contact said to disregard his comments about writing score.
My point in bringing this up is to not fall back on the idea that the writing is pass/fail or not important. He did not think it was important and it would appear that it was a bit more important than he gave it credit.
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That was the reasoning from son 2’s RC - his essay would go in front of the English department and potentially slow down any appointment.
 
SAparent2023 said:
DS has taken ACT twice and scored a 10 on writing both times. His handwriting is terrible so I was shocked at his score.
Click to expand...

Luckily for me I don’t have those handwriting issues. If I forget to put my name on school assignments, the teacher automatically assumes a female deserves credit for the work lol. My extreme handwriting OCD hinders the length of my ACT essays.

I find my score a bit unusual. After receiving a 5 on the AP Lang test and A’s throughout honors high school English, my writing capabilities aren’t truly reflected by the ACT writing section. I thought an applicant’s writing abilities were judged using the college admission essay? A chance to speak to the admissions reps in your own words, of course using proper grammar.
 
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