Test Scores

ACLinCT

5-Year Member
Joined
Jun 10, 2014
Messages
17
My son is a candidate for the Class of 2019. Here is a snap shot of his resume':

3.75 GPA
12 out of 227
National Honor Society
AP Euro Club President
Boys' State
Youth Volunteer Coordinator-American Legion Post 196
Three-time varsity letter winner - outdoor track, football (third time will be in the fall)
Team captain - outdoor track, football
Week 1 2014 SLE

Here is the problem. He does not test well. He has taken the SAT twice with a super score of 1740 (540 math) and 24 ACT composite. He plans on taking both as many times as necessary. We both know the importance of the test scores but we are worried that he won't have the elite scores he is going to need. He will be taking a test prep course throughout the summer.

Thanks in advance for any and all feedback.
 
One of my son's wrestling buddies went to USMA last year with a 34 super score ACT but a lower class rank/gpa than my son. I knew early on that my son's 29 was never going to cut it.

I wish I had found this website sooner and learned more about the game. IMHO test scores are a HUGE factor for consideration since they are standard across the country. And yes, that annoys me as my son was ranked #1 in his class of 479 (there were about 20 kids with that rank) but didn't test as well. He is happily attending college on a 4 year NROTC scholarship this fall so it's not all bad for sure, but his resume was pretty good otherwise and I just feel like the test scores were the nail in the coffin for USNA/USMA.
 
My son is a candidate for the Class of 2019. Here is a snap shot of his resume':

3.75 GPA
12 out of 227
National Honor Society
AP Euro Club President
Boys' State
Youth Volunteer Coordinator-American Legion Post 196
Three-time varsity letter winner - outdoor track, football (third time will be in the fall)
Team captain - outdoor track, football
Week 1 2014 SLE

Here is the problem. He does not test well. He has taken the SAT twice with a super score of 1740 (540 math) and 24 ACT composite. He plans on taking both as many times as necessary. We both know the importance of the test scores but we are worried that he won't have the elite scores he is going to need. He will be taking a test prep course throughout the summer.

Thanks in advance for any and all feedback.

Test scores are very important, so it's good that he'll be taking prep courses and retaking the tests. Don't forget it's WCS and other things are important too, specifically his competition. How competitive is your district/state? He should do everything within his control (get high grades, take AP classes, leadership roles, etc) and make sure he has a Plan B/C/D in place (apply for the ROTC scholarship, look at SMC if interested, etc). Is he a recruited athlete? URM? Work on his essays...practice interviewing.... And hang on for the roller coaster ride. :biggrin:
 
Tell him not to be discouraged. If USMA is what he really wants, he can bring that math up! My son took the SAT 7 times to do the same thing. We hired a one on one tutor and it increased his score over 100 points. It was trying at times but I'm proud to say he stuck with it and will be reporting for R Day in two weeks. It CAN be done!!!
 
Thank you all for the feedback and encouragement! We will be putting it to good use.
 
Not sure if USMA does this, but USAFA and USNA will accept either SAT or ACT scores. Everyone has one they do better on. My DD did much better with the ACT and focused on improving those scores.
 
USMA does the same. Unfortunately, there wasn't too much of a difference between the two scores. Thank you for the suggestion though!
 
I always plug march2success.com. It's a FREE online program that has lots of ACT/SAT practice tests. The Army actually sponsored the creation of march2success, which also has ASVAB practice sections. Since we all know the academies superscore, you can study just the sections that you need to improve the most or you can study them all.

My son took the ACT twice and got the same Math score. Then he hit it hard on the march2success Math practice tests. On his third ACT, the Math score was 5 points higher!
 
Tell him not to be discouraged. If USMA is what he really wants, he can bring that math up! My son took the SAT 7 times to do the same thing. We hired a one on one tutor and it increased his score over 100 points. It was trying at times but I'm proud to say he stuck with it and will be reporting for R Day in two weeks. It CAN be done!!!

Totally agreed. DS also needed to focus on math scores, his increased from maybe 540 to 700 (or close to it... from my weak memory). He always liked math and did fine in school, but wanted to take his time and struggled on the standardized tests. Fast forward: DS is now a firstie and a math major -- got past that "take my time" mode to get-the-job-done. Personal tutoring helped, not so much with the concepts but working through the process of streamlining his solution approach. Point is -- it can be done, find out what works for you.

-RLTW
 
Hi ACL,

Even though his initial scores for both tests may be similar, most kids tend to have more upside on one type of test or the other.

Our DS was bright, logical, but not as dedicated a student as he could be. He benefited from improving his SAT scores as they focus more on test-taking techniques and vocabulary (highly generalized statement).

Our DD was more methodical, and a "grinder" willing to work hard for great grades. She benefited more from improving her ACT scores as the format is more uniform and content is broader based knowledge (highly generalized statement).

The point is, trust the advice that says continue to take both and ask him which one he prefers. Then focus on strategies for that test. It does work.

Good luck!

PS: Both of our children wound up with multiple nominations and appointments to AFA... hang in there!
 
Last edited:
Straight Forward >> SAT Prep Class this summer. DS went from a 1720 to a 2000. USMA puts more emphasis on the Math and Verbal combination.
DS went from a 1230 to a 1370. It worked. He is a CC USMA 2018
 
ACT/SAT tests.....

My DS had taken the ACT/SAT 8 times! Generally speaking, after the third or fourth time most test takers plateau. This is when you need out side help. There is a technique to taking these tests and finding a program to help elevate these scores. It can be done!

Have a “Plan B” and “C”! By chance you don’t get into WP after graduation, investigate a prep school. Take a look at them now. There are several very successful programs that will help boost your test scores and chances.


Push Hard, Press Forward
 
Thank you all for you time, advice, and encouragement! It will all be put to very good use.
 
Also dont forget that some areas of the country are waaayyyy more competitive than others. If you are in a far less competitive area, your son should be fine. Looking at numbers, my son should have never made it in but we are in a very noncompetitive district and he was at the top of the heap!
 
My boy is at this very moment a Pluk (not a Yuk until after Camp Buckner next month) and worked hard to upgrade his math ACT score. His first test resulted in a 24 in math and raised red flags for him, he asked for tutoring which he did for several months. It was well worth it as he raised his score up to a 28, which gave him a composite 31 score as his other subjects were extremely good. In addition to help with math concepts, the tutor helped him with his test taking strategy which DS thought was very important. Good Luck to you!
 
My boy is at this very moment a Pluk (not a Yuk until after Camp Buckner next month) and worked hard to upgrade his math ACT score. His first test resulted in a 24 in math and raised red flags for him, he asked for tutoring which he did for several months. It was well worth it as he raised his score up to a 28, which gave him a composite 31 score as his other subjects were extremely good. In addition to help with math concepts, the tutor helped him with his test taking strategy which DS thought was very important. Good Luck to you!

Thanks and that is the plan! I am happy to hear that progress can be made. I have a candidate that is a little discouraged so I am trying to rally him with stories just like this. Very helpful!
 
Back
Top