The EDUFAX Educational FAQ

Question #60:

I am entering my senior year. My ACT score was 21 (English=15, Math=28, Reading=19, Science Reasoning=20), my SAT scores were: Math=720, Verbal=350. Do I have time to retake these tests? Should I retake the ACT or the SAT ?

Answer #60:

You have time to retake some standardized testing in the fall, but if you don't prepare for the Verbal sections on the ACT and the SAT, you will be wasting your time. It is clear from your results that you are a talented Math student, but your scores show that there is room for improvement in your English language skills. In fact, your SAT I Verbal score is well below the national average. If you believe that you put forth your best effort on the Verbal sections, it might be appropriate to have an educational evaluation done in the areas of reading, comprehension, and writing. Contact the admissions offices of the schools which interest you most and ask them how your standardized test scores would look in their candidate pool. Some will be unwilling to give you this information, but others will welcome the opportunity. If the schools that interest you most consider you a viable candidate "as is", then you needn't take the test over. If they say that you do not meet their bottom cut-off scores, you will have to spend some time preparing before you retake the tests. You can find a listing of test prep books and CD-ROMS available on the Internet and compare their prices, on the EDUFAX site. I am not an admissions officer, but I have had many years of experience helping students evaluate their prospects. If you are a native English speaker, I would be quite concerned about your scores. If you learned English as a second language, you should submit the TOEFL to clarify your competency in verbal skills. EDUFAX provides services for the International Applicant. EDUFAX provides Verbal Test Prep Tutorials (PSAT/SAT I/SAT II/ACT).

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