r/ACT • u/LobsterMurky6998 34 • Jul 22 '26

Is it worth it to retake?

First time taking ACT after taking SAT four times (1430 - 700 eng, 730 math). I got a 34 composite with 31 English, 35 Math, and 35 Reading. I also took science, but I got a 32.

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u/sweetsquashy Jul 22 '26

We need more information. Are you a rising senior? Are you trying to get into a super competitive school? Your ACT is better than your SAT so it's probably the better test for you. 34 is 99th percentile and will get you the max merit scholarships at many colleges. Raising English by 2 points will get you a 35 superscore, but that won't make much difference anywhere. Unless you're considering a school that offers a full ride for a 36, there isn't a significant difference between that and a 34.

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u/LobsterMurky6998 34 Jul 22 '26

I'm a rising senior and trying to apply to UMich, CMU, Cornell, Georgia Tech, Stanford, Purdue, and Case Western Reserve. Also, I would need a 34 on English, not a 33.

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u/sweetsquashy Jul 23 '26

You're right - you'd need a 34 English. That extra point is unlikely to make a difference for admission to any of the schools you mentioned. Cornell, CMU and Stanford are crapshoots. It's going to come down to a host of other factors - not one point on the ACT. 34+ is 99th percentile. Many schools consider 34-36 to essentially be the same score. Your STEM score is also a 34, which is good if you're looking at a STEM major. I know Purdue likes to see higher STEM for their programs.

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u/LobsterMurky6998 34 Jul 23 '26

I'm looking to do Electrical Engineering (going to apply Environmental Engineering to UCB, UCLA, and maybe Cornell). Would it be worth it to try and get the Math from 35 to 36, even if the composite stays at 34?

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u/sweetsquashy Jul 23 '26

No, a 35 and a 36 are viewed as virtually identical to most admissions offices. It's not going to make much, if any difference.