Re-Taking the SAT as a re-applicant?

USNAco2019hopeful

5-Year Member
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Jan 15, 2014
Messages
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Even though I am still a candidate for USNA's class of 2019, in preparation for the possibility of having to plan out being a re applicant, I have one question currently. Is it normal/recommended for re applicants to re take the SATs?
 
Yes. My son was an applicant last year and was put on the Wait List. He is now attending Marion Military Institute and is in their Service Academy Prep Program where they are required to re-take the tests, and has retaken the ACT and SAT two more times each. Brought his scores up significantly. If you are below 27 ACT of 1400 SAT keep taking them. Have a back up plan. Good Luck
 
There are a few things to understand. I don't know what your SAT/ACT scores are so I am shooting in the blind, BUT given the super-competitive nature of the service academies, serious candidates need to strive earnestly to be the best, most competitive candidates they can be! Even then there are no guarantees. The mean SAT/ACT scores on the class profiles are misleading; in my opinion, they represent the floor of what is expected of competitive candidates. You really should be shooting for SAT cumulative of greater than 1300 (ACT greater than 30), and the greater score should be on the math side - the service academies still consider themselves to be math, science, engineering schools. It is my understanding that re-applicants have been required to retake the SAT/ACT exams on a selective basis, and I would suggest it especially if your SAT/ACT scores were below the levels mentioned above. While USNA is primarily interested in how you fare on a curriculum similar to that of Plebe year, you certainly won't hurt yourself by recording improved SAT/ACT scores. As someone who got in on the second try, I can understand your concerns, but I can assure you that you will have a lot of company - all four of us in my plebe room had at least one year out of high school. Best wishes.
 
Thank you for the incite, and sorry about not mentioning what my actual scores were. (I got a 1340 with a 690 math 650 critical reading)
 
I would check with your RD. Yes, there is always room for improvement and, if test scores were one of the reasons that an appointment was not offered, it definitely makes sense to retake. Your scores are quite good so I doubt they would be a negative in the application process. Could they be better? Sure.

For college students, your college grades in the plebe courses are more important than test scores. However, there is no downside (other than time and money) in retaking the SAT/ACT. It wouldn't hurt to do it -- just don't let that become your "mission" vs. getting good grades in college, should you end up there.
 
630 math and 670 reading. 630 puts me at 25th percentile of last class admitted and 670 puts me above 75th percentile of the same class... I'm hesitant to retake it because NROTC only takes one test scores and if i fall in a category it would hurt my NROTC chances even if not hurting my NA chances. Any suggestions or tips?

In addition I am only a Junior and preliminaries haven't even opened so a lot of time for counsel with my BGO...Hoping this score is at least strong enough to become an Official Candidate
 
Mudge, since you are a junior, I recommend you retake them until you are satisfied you have done your best. And try the ACT too. True, NROTC only takes one test score, but I believe they take your best sitting, so If you fall in a category, and the above scores remain your best overall sitting, NROTC will keep these scores. If, at the same time, your math goes up significantly, while your reading goes down, USNA will take your new higher math score, and your old reading score. Taking them again can't hurt you, only help.
 
Don't forget chemistry. I'd suggest that instead of physics. If you can't get into chem with lab, then physics is an excellent alternative.
 
I wholeheartedly concur with 1985... keep your focus on the college coursework, but especially if your SAT/ACT scores were on the anemic side, kicking them up won't hurt you. Also, you really should take the chemistry with lab!
 
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