test prep superscoring
The New ACT
Many students who are approaching graduation—
and those helping them along the way—know
that taking the ACT college entrance exam ranks
among the top steps in a potentially overwhelming
college application process.
INTRODUCING SECTION RE-TESTING
ACT is making changes for fall 2020 to accommodate more
students and help them focus on boosting individual test scores.
ACT, Inc. has announced big changes to its test that will allow
students to retake specific sections of the exam allowing the use
of ACT’s “superscore” to boost their exam scores. Students now
will be allowed to retake one or more single-sections without
taking the entire exam to improve their ACT score. ACT will automatically
calculate a “superscore” from each test that can be sent to
the colleges and universities of their choice.
SECTION RETESTING
Available for all students who have taken the full
ACT test.
• Lets students take individual ACT test sections or
subjects again.
• Students must first take a full ACT test and have a
valid composite score on file.
• Students may take up to three section retests on
any one test date.
• There are no limits on the number of times a student
may take a retest.
• Offered seven times a year, on the same dates as
the national ACT test.
source: act.org
ACCEPTING YOUR TEST SCORES
Universities and colleges nationwide have the option to accept or
not accept the ACT’s “superscore.” “Auburn University at Montgomery
(AUM) is among public universities using ACT’s concept
of ‘superscoring’ because of its benefits to students,” said Ronnie
McKinney, director of admissions and recruitment. AUM adopted
“superscoring” during the university’s Spring 2020 semester.
“Now, when Auburn University at Montgomery receives
prospective students’ ACT test scores, the scores have their
combined test scores to give them the best opportunity for
admission and scholarships at our university,” McKinney said.
The benefit to the student can’t be ignored. A prospective student
with an ACT score of 20 is eligible for scholarships worth $6,000
over four years. And with an ACT score of 23, the student can
receive scholarships valued at $12,000 over four years at AUM.
“By superscoring, high school ACT test takers can put their best
foot forward and present their best scores from each section of
the test,” he said. “This best score when calculated could make
their total ACT score several points higher. The higher a student’s
ACT score, the more their scholarship opportunities increase
and the amount they qualify for increases in value.”
While ACT’s new “superscore” can give universities insight into a
student’s college readiness, McKinney said the greatest advantage
to using the new scoring system is that it ensures students have
the opportunity to really focus on improving in the areas they
need to on the ACT while mapping out their college plans. Before
starting out on their college application journey, McKinney
recommends students check with their local ACT testing center
to find out about testing options available.
To learn more about AUM’s admission process and scholarship
opportunities, visit aum.edu/admissions.
NEW NATIONAL TEST DATES
SEP
2020
Saturday, September 12
Sunday, September 13
Saturday, September 19
OCT
2020
Saturday, October 10
Saturday, October 17
Saturday, October 24
Sunday, October 25
10 | Fall 2020 www.potentialmagazine.com