ACT Scores???

ski_addict29

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So in my state we take the ACT instead of the SAT (I will take both on my own). Though I am taking both, I was wondering what ACT scores are needed to get in. I am a junior and have taken it early and will be taking in next month along with taking it at school in March. Just wondering what I need to shoot for.
Thanks! :smile:
 
Somewhere there are class profiles that give test score ranges. There are several websites that convert SAT to ACT and vice versa.

What you need to thoroughly understand is that test scores are only a part of the WCS (whole candidate score). Your grades, class rank, teacher evaluations, BGO interview, extra curriculars, leadership, an assessment of your high school.......all this goes into your WCS.

How competitive your Congressional District is comes into play as well as how the other applicants from your area and across the nation are......

In short, you need as many points on standardized tests as you can possibly gather up. We have seen candidates on this forum with ACT of 34 NOT get in and candidates with, say, a 27 get appointed.

That said, there seems to be some unofficial minimum scores before the admissions board will consider your application at all. Seems to me this was around 600 for each part (math & English) of SAT. You can look up corresponding ACT scores.
 
My BGO told me to shoot for 30's for both, and when I called on area coordinator asking why I did not make it into the Naval Academy my first time applying, he said one of the reasons was due to my math score not being closer to 30.
 
My BGO told me to shoot for 30's for both, and when I called on area coordinator asking why I did not make it into the Naval Academy my first time applying, he said one of the reasons was due to my math score not being closer to 30.

If you don't mind me asking, what was your math score?
 
That seems a little off to me.

USNA Administraors advise to shoot for 600 / 600 for math and english to be "competitive".

An ACT of 30 equates to roughly 680-710 SAT from what I find. My sons 26 in math looks to be 580 - 610 SAT.

That is what the online calculators show it as anyway IMO.
 
Well, you're right, and maybe not. A 30 equates to 710, which is the upper limit of the middle 50% of the class. So ...25% of the class score above 30, and 25 about 620 ...so yes, scoring 25 and up would seem to get one in the hunt. But in this specific case, more was needed to get beyond just being considered, and as the CGO indicated that meant 30+. Like saying ..."I drove the posted speed limit of 55 ...so how'd everyone else beat me here?"

Again, this reflects the reality that USNA has different admissions requirements/standards/expectations for different groups. One size does not fit all, and looking at the profile of the entire class provides averages for a non-existant grouping. The bottom line? If one falls into a non-priority grouping, to be competitive (generally) one had best look @ the very top of the score ranges to stand a fighting chance. Again, generally. Doubt this contention @ your own peril. Especially when USNA is singing the same song, if in a different tune and ms vs. mf
 
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here is a rather general scale of ACT to SAT conversion(single subject):

ACT SAT
36 800
35 780
34 760
33 740
32 720
31 700
30 680
29 660
28 640
(it does tend to lose accuracy the lower the scores go...)

I did way better on ACT than PSAT and plan on sticking with ACT. It will be to your benefit to try both.
 
That seems a little off to me.

USNA Administraors advise to shoot for 600 / 600 for math and english to be "competitive".

An ACT of 30 equates to roughly 680-710 SAT from what I find. My sons 26 in math looks to be 580 - 610 SAT.

That is what the online calculators show it as anyway IMO.

The last two years, I would not say a 600 was "competitive".....you might get an appointment with 600's, but everything else had better be better than the best! On this forum, we have watched and waited with candidates with 30+++ ACT scores, Eagle Scout, great grades, etc. and mourned for them when they received the TWE.

As I always say, in answer to the age old question "Is a test score of XX good enough?" or "What do I need to be in the hunt?" IT DEPENDS

Depends on who your closest competition geographically is (ie your congressional district, state)......even in a not so competitive state, if there's one or two others with better test scores than you and similar other attributes (EC's, grades, etc) you may well be left wanting. Depends upon how the rest of your application package stacks up. It's all relative, people, on any given year. Relative to the others seeking the appointment you desire.

So, should you take and re-take the test again? Study to try to raise your score? Well, how bad do you want that appointment? Are you willing to leave it to chance or are you going to give it all you've got?
 
2 things ...this is not what ACT reports in translation (remember ...composites mean nothing. It's math and verbal/English.)

And again, these are not of specific value to specific, individual cases and/or various groups/segments as explicitly or implicitly IDed by USNA admissions. The averages or general profile are merely a composite of the sub-group averages.

And I would note jenny's good point a bit differently. 600/600 MAY be competitive, depending upon one's sub-group. Generally, I'd suggest they are merely minimal, and barring exceptional circumstances (and remember, virtually all candidates are generally "exceptional") those numbers are not competitive. Said another way ...only 25% of the class scored 600M, give or take a few test points and a few % points.
 
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Somewhere there are class profiles that give test score ranges.
When looking at these, especially if you are attempting direct entry from HS, remember that about 1/3 of the scores recorded are of those candidates who had to spend an extra year beyond high school in some type of prep program, usually because of low SATs. I have always hear that around 1350 (725/625) or so is normally the AVERAGE of those entering directly from HS. To be competitive in the National Pool, I would definitely recommend scores in this range. I feel that the profiles of the past two years have really provided a disservice to candidates. IAW with its breakdown, a 570V/600M is in the middle 50% of those entering last year when, in fact, it is well down into the middle of the range of those requiring an extra preparatory year due to low SATs.
 
Good point and illustration, Mongo. When the scores become analyzed one begins to recognize the very limited value of the profile in determining a specific potential "fit."
 
alright guys thanks this helps me figure what i need to do for math. I really need to raise it. I got a 30 in the math section so thats a start.
 
A few years ago the "word" was that earnest candidates should be shooting for combined SAT scores in the 1300+ range with at least 650 in math; the ACT target was 30+ again with a hefty math component. The best advice was given a few posts back - take the exam until you are comfortable that you have done your best. Add to that not to psyche yourself into quitting prematurely as you will be the one to live with the consequences. The basic question is how much do you really want this and proceed accordingly. There are too many variations on a theme to provide hard and fast benchmarks, again as visible in prior posts to this question. The simple answer is: DO YOUR PERSONAL BEST.

Best wishes.
 
A few years ago the "word" was that earnest candidates should be shooting for combined SAT scores in the 1300+ range with at least 650 in math; the ACT target was 30+ again with a hefty math component. The best advice was given a few posts back - take the exam until you are comfortable that you have done your best. Add to that not to psyche yourself into quitting prematurely as you will be the one to live with the consequences. The basic question is how much do you really want this and proceed accordingly. There are too many variations on a theme to provide hard and fast benchmarks, again as visible in prior posts to this question. The simple answer is: DO YOUR PERSONAL BEST.

Best wishes.

thanks! I REALLY want this. Its crazy how much. I am taking the ACT next weekend and then in March with my school. Then in June if I have to still
 
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