ACT/SAT Question

AlexanderHess

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On the USNA c/o 2017 profile it states the SAT Scores: Verbal 580-670 Math 620-700 (middle 50th percentile). Where would the ACT Scores fall into? Also on the CIS, USNA only shows my ACT Math and English scores only. Does the reading and science matter? Or do they look at the composite?
 
Whole person

It isn't that black and white. (Which I think is a good thing)

I do think they look at the composite for ACT.

There are so many scenerios for a candidate to be appointed it is crazy!

You can have so-so test scores but have a great GPA; great test scores and decent GPA.

Obviously, you want to get the best score you can on both the ACT and SAT, and I think you have to take the reading writting for ACT...(??)
 
They convert the ACT scores to SAT. And no, science and reading don't matter. They will however superscore (best math from one test can be put with best english from another test).
 
They convert the ACT scores to SAT. And no, science and reading don't matter. They will however superscore (best math from one test can be put with best english from another test).
Does anyone know what a 25 English and 29 Math converts to?
 
Does this make me academically qualified if I fall in the 50th percentile?

It might be academically qualified, but remember that you will be competing with other candidates. What might be good enough to qualify may not be good enough to get accepted if others have better scores.

I'm assuming you're a rising senior? You have some time to retake the tests.
If you can, try to get that 25 in English up. Do some practice tests (you can buy a book of practice tests and tips on Amazon or at B&N).

Remember - academics is around 60% of your total score.
 
To be competitive, you should strive for 650 verbal/700 math SAT or ACT equivalent.

Yes, some with lesser stats may be admitted and where you live can play a (small) role. But every year the number of applicants goes up which makes competition more fierce. If you read the threads from this year's applicants, you'll see that many candidates with great SAT/ACT scores (plus all the other great "stuff") received TWEs. To give yourself the best chance, you want scores in the range above.

Spend your summer productively. Take a course (if you can afford it) and/or spend 1-2 hours each day on SAT/ACT prep on your own -- doing practice tests, etc. It will likely make a positive difference.
 
But every year the number of applicants goes up which makes competition more fierce.

Number of applicants goes up, number to be admitted goes down. Doesn't take a 700 math score to figure that one out. Two hours every day in SAT/ACT prep sounds like a good use of any available "free" summer time.
 
Im a long time poster-and I know I repeat the same mantra over and over. The easiest thing to manipulate in the admissions is your act/sat score, especially as it is superscored. If you keep retaking the test, your scores will bounce around and each time you retake something will go up a point (it doesn't matter if something goes down because it is super scored) Dont strive for acceptable or even competitive. In this area strive to not leave any points on the table.

USAFA- all sections plus writing
UAMA-- all sections plus writing
USNA- math and English only
USCGA_Im unclear it lists composite and also english/math

There is no limit (in reality) to how many tests you can take, so whey not take them every month they are offered until the BFE? Though it may be expensive to retake the tests (~40.00$) you do not NEED to spend money on a prep class.


The best prep for English is the Cracking the ACT (no need to buy new)

http://www.cbsnews.com/news/7-cheap-ways-to-study-for-the-sat-and-act/
 
On the USNA c/o 2017 profile it states the SAT Scores: Verbal 580-670 Math 620-700 (middle 50th percentile). Where would the ACT Scores fall into? Also on the CIS, USNA only shows my ACT Math and English scores only. Does the reading and science matter? Or do they look at the composite?


After my DS went thru this process this year and ended with a TWE- my advice would be - just do the very best you can in all parts of your application and do not try and figure out who or what the Academy wants. Who they take or don't take is something no one can figure out!!!! Best of luck.


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This link has http://www.usna.edu/AboutAIS/Admissions_Board.html
a lot of very useful information on how the Admissions Board makes their selection for appointments. The excerpt below is taken directly from the website and seems to contradict information about taking the SAT/ACT until you are happy with your score (see 1st bullet point).

The Admissions Board scholastic evaluation of a candidate begins with reviewing the candidate’s Rank in Class, SAT-Math and SAT-Verbal, but will also include other factors to view the whole person candidate.
One of those factors could be average SAT scores. Some reasons for not scholastically qualifying a candidate who has qualifying SAT scores would be
•The candidate took the SAT exam multiple times (some as many as five or six times) before qualifying.
•The candidate did not take a math course in 11th grade.
•The candidate had too many grades of C.


My DS received a TWE with SAT scores in the 700's for math and verbal and ACT scores of 30-math and 29-verbal. He took each test twice. His other stats were:
  • 3.9 GPA unweighted but due to being in a very competitive school his class rank was only in the top 20%
  • Never received a C on his report card - all A's and B's
  • All PreAP courses 9th & 10th grade and all AP or dual college credit courses 11th and 12th grade
  • 4 years math - finishing with AP calc 1
  • 4 years science - including PreAP chemistry, AP biology, and AP physics
  • Varsity Soccer and track (since 10th grade)
  • Captain Varsity Soccer
  • Multiple varsity letters
  • Club Select Soccer - Div. 1 (since 11 yrs. old) - Captain
  • MCJROTC - officer
  • 100's of hours community service
  • National Honor Society
  • Attended NASS – 2nd Session
DS talked to his adminssions counselor and his BGO after receiving the TWE and was told it ultimately came down to his class rank and coming from a very competitive congressional district. His admissions counselor also told him his file was reviewed several times by the Board before the decision was made.

DS will now attend a senior military academy and participate in NROTC. He has already submitted his preliminary application for USNA Class of 2019 and was told by his admissions counselor to get all A's and B's (preferably A's) his freshman year and mirror the Plebe courseload as closely as possible.

For new applicants, I hope this information helps and gives some insight on just how competitive it is to receive an appointment.
 
excellent point smmtx1!!!

I should have added to make sure to select scores...

ACT only will only release the particular score that you ask for them to send (meaning if you choose not to send all, colleges won't see all of them). Here is their articulated policy from the website:

"If you have taken the ACT (No Writing) or ACT Plus Writing more than once, we maintain a separate record for each test date. If you ask us to send a report to a college, we will release only the record from the test date you request. This protects you and ensures that you direct the reporting of your scores. If you wish, you may ask us to report more than one test date record to a college. However, you may not select test scores from different test dates to construct a new record; you must designate an entire test date record as it stands. ACT does not create new records by combining scores from different test dates."


Also Some high schools have ACT scores on the transcript. Find out if that's the case in your school and have them removed.
 
AlexanderHess,

If it helps my DS had an ACT M-32 & R-30. The NROTC converted that to show it in the SAT format of M-720 & R-700.

My DS also got the TWE called his admissions advisor as well as his BGO. Much like smmtx1 very competative area, very competative package he just did not get the nod on this go around.

My DS was also awarded the NROTC and was told the same... Because he has the NROTC, excellent participation in NROTC will help his application for 2019. His admissions counselor also said to get all A's and B's (preferably A's) his freshman year. Because he is an engineering major he has to take the Cal's, Chem and Physics.

My DS went on and had a meeting with two LT's from his unit, they were very proactive with wanting to help him get into the Academy.

Hope this helps...
 
My DS received a TWE with SAT scores in the 700's for math and verbal and ACT scores of 30-math and 29-verbal. He took each test twice. His other stats were:
  • 3.9 GPA unweighted but due to being in a very competitive school his class rank was only in the top 20%
  • Never received a C on his report card - all A's and B's
  • All PreAP courses 9th & 10th grade and all AP or dual college credit courses 11th and 12th grade
  • 4 years math - finishing with AP calc 1
  • 4 years science - including PreAP chemistry, AP biology, and AP physics
  • Varsity Soccer and track (since 10th grade)
  • Captain Varsity Soccer
  • Multiple varsity letters
  • Club Select Soccer - Div. 1 (since 11 yrs. old) - Captain
  • MCJROTC - officer
  • 100's of hours community service
  • National Honor Society
  • Attended NASS – 2nd Session
DS talked to his adminssions counselor and his BGO after receiving the TWE and was told it ultimately came down to his class rank and coming from a very competitive congressional district. His admissions counselor also told him his file was reviewed several times by the Board before the decision was made...

For new applicants, I hope this information helps and gives some insight on just how competitive it is to receive an appointment.

This is very discouraging...remarkably similar to our DS who's a junior. We live in the same district as a famous DOD building shaped like a 5-sided geometric figure, so it's super-competitive to get a nom. He will just keep working and doing his best - Navy is all he wants.
 
For the ACT, does the academy look at all scores or just math/English


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