Your ACT scores can determine your chances of being admitted to your chosen colleges. Even so, if you're not satisfied with your score, you can consider retaking the test.
Every student has twelve attempts to take it, but the ACT recommends sticking to two to three tries to reach your target score. Still, you might wonder, what are the pros and cons?
Here's a look at the benefits and drawbacks of an ACT retake.
The Benefits
Before you retake the ACT, you want to understand how much it impacts your score and performance. This way, you can ensure it's worth the extra time and expense.
The following are a few things you can experience with retesting.
Score Improvement
According to provided statistics, more than half of students retaking the ACT are able to boost their composite score after their next attempt. Note that this is usually only guaranteed if you spend time reviewing before your retesting date.
Test Familiarity
While official ACT practice tests are a good way to familiarize yourself with the test, it may feel different after the real thing. If you plan on retesting, you have the benefit of being more familiar with the exam's coverage and structure.
Focused Preparation
One of the best things about retesting is that you can prioritize focused preparation. It means identifying your strengths and weaknesses, and centralizing the rest of your review and test strategies based on what you find.
The Drawbacks
Despite the perks, an ACT retake has a few cons that can affect your final choice. Moreover, it helps you identify if taking the test again would be worth the risk.
It includes the following points.
More Time and Effort
An ACT retake means exerting more time and effort for preparation. At the same time, it can affect your college admission plans by shifting the time you need to complete your application.
Potential Low Returns
There's no guarantee your score will have a high increase after retaking the test. In most cases, you might notice it improves by only a few notches. So, it's best to set proper expectations about these potential returns.A
Additional Costs
Many recommend limiting the number of times you retake the ACT to reduce the amount you spend. It's because you pay for the actual test again and possibly more for additional resources and other fees.
Because of this, some recommend considering an ACT retake if you have the financial capacity to do so.
In Closing: What to Expect From an ACT Retake
An ACT retake comes with a few pros and cons that can affect your final decision. It's important to keep in mind that your score increases your chances of being accepted into your chosen college. So, you may want to boost your score.
Retaking the test is an effective way to improve your results, familiarity, and preparedness. However, you should consider how it aligns with your remaining time and funds.
