Should I do the ACT essay?

Question

I have taken the ACT once, and I got a 7 on the essay portion (my score ended up being a 29). I'm retaking it in September. Do you think I should retake it with or without the essay? Thanks for your help!

Answer 1

It depends on what collge you are going to apply. Many require you to take the ACT w/ writing, but  if the ones you are going to apply to don't, then I don't see why you should take it.

Answer 2

In my senior year I was highly encouraged to take the ACT essay portion. However, I recently read an article that said that this essay portion isn't necessary...

It's your choice, if you feel like the essay portion will bolster your score then I say go for it.

Answer 3

Taking the writing portion is never a bad idea. More and more midwestern colleges are requiring it. If you dont take it in September, and score a better score that you want to submit to colleges, you may regret it because that college may require writing. You cannot mix and match your scores (i.e. The best multiple choice score and the best writing score cannot be from two different testing sessions). Even if you dont score better, score worse, or decide you want to take it again (Ive taken it four times, once when I was 12, once when I was a sophomore, and twice when I was a junior), its always good practice.

Answer 4

I teach ACT prep and none of my students do the essay.  I don't push it because I need them to concentrate on getting their scores up.  Your scores are good, so if you want to do the essay, do it.  However, don't waste your time if you don't need it.  A lot of private schools need a writing sample to help them decide on who gets accepted; that's why many schools like the SAT better.  If you are only applying to large state schools that accept you if you have the scores, then don't bother.  

Answer 5

You don't really have to. If you want to improve your score just for the sake of attaining a personal goal, then do so. However, most colleges that require the essay don't use the score to determine admittance, they just use it for statistical purposes. So you already filled the requirement and will not gain anything by retaking that portion. If you don't want to have to send both scores when you apply, you should retake the essay so you can only send the second (and presumably better) score.