How many times can I take the ACT?

I didn't do as well as I'd hoped on my first ACT, and I was thinking about retaking it. Is there any limit to how many times we can take the test? Do colleges care if we retake it multiple times?

There is no strict limit on how many times you can take the ACT; however, it's important to consider a few factors when deciding to retake it. Generally, it's a good idea to take the test 2-3 times, as it's common for students to see improvement in their scores after retaking the test. Any more than 4 attempts would likely yield diminishing returns.

Colleges usually focus on your highest ACT score. Most colleges will either consider your highest composite score or they will "superscore" your results, which means they will take the highest scores achieved in individual sections across multiple test dates to create the highest possible composite score. Admissions officers understand that students may want to retake the test to improve their scores, so taking the test multiple times should not negatively impact your application.

Keep in mind that preparing for and retaking the ACT requires time, effort, and money. It's essential to assess whether your score needs improvement or if your time would be better spent focusing on other aspects of your college applications, such as your essays or extracurricular activities. It's also important to understand that while test scores are a significant component of college applications, they are not the sole determining factor. Colleges employ a holistic approach to evaluate applicants, meaning they consider various aspects of your application, including grades, coursework, extracurricular involvement, and essays.

Before you decide to retake the ACT, consider whether you genuinely believe you can improve your scores, and evaluate how your scores compare with the scores of admitted students at the colleges you're interested in. It can be helpful to take practice tests and work on test-taking strategies to ensure that you're better prepared for your retake attempt. Good luck!