I recently got a 31 on my ACT, and I'm not sure how good of a score this really is. Can anyone give me some insight on whether this is a solid score in terms of college admissions? Should I try to retake it?
A 31 ACT score is generally considered a good score and places you in the 95th percentile, meaning you scored higher than 95% of test takers. Whether this score is suitable, however, depends on the colleges you're targeting and your overall profile.
For highly selective colleges (e.g., Ivy League schools), a 31 may not be as competitive as higher scores (33 and above). That being said, it's important to remember that college admissions consider more than just test scores. Along with your ACT score, schools will evaluate your GPA, course rigor, extracurricular activities, essays, and other factors.
If your target schools have an average ACT score in the 28-32 range, then your 31 ACT score is on target. If you hope to attend a more selective college with average ACT scores of 33-35, it could be beneficial to retake the test and aim for a higher score.
Before deciding whether to retake the ACT or not, consider the time and effort required to prepare for another exam. If you believe you can realistically improve your score and have the means to dedicate time to study, retaking the test might be worthwhile. Make sure to leave time for other aspects of college applications, such as your essays and involvement in extracurricular activities.
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