Do colleges know how many times you took the ACT?

I'm planning to take the ACT a few times to improve my score. Will colleges be aware of how many times I sat for the exam, or do they only see my best score? How might multiple attempts impact my application?

Yes, colleges generally will be aware of how many times you took the ACT. This is because the ACT has a policy of sending all scores from all dates unless you choose to delete certain scores from your record. That said, most colleges will “super score” your results, meaning they take the highest score from each section, even if these scores were not all achieved on the same test date.

The number of times you take the ACT can have varying impacts on your application. Generally, taking the ACT 2-3 times is normal and will not negatively impact your application. It shows that you're committed to improving your score, which can be seen in a positive light.

However, suppose you take the ACT many times (like 5+ times). In that case, some colleges might start to wonder about your test-taking tactics, especially if there isn't a significant score improvement. Also, consider the time and energy that goes into each test. Instead of taking the ACT multiple times, it may be beneficial to focus your efforts on other aspects of your application, like your essays and extracurriculars.

To sum up, colleges generally know how many times you've taken the ACT, but they tend to focus more on your highest scores. Taking the test 2-3 times should not negatively impact your application, but taking it an excessive number of times might raise some questions. However, the best approach is to balance test-taking with other components of your college application.