SAT/ACT Advice

[KNG523]

This is my first thread, so I apologize if its in the wrong place. I am currently a candidate for the USNA class of 2020 and I am trying to get the best SAT/ ACT score combination I can.

I have taken the SAT 3 times and the ACT once. I have an SAT superscore of 1380 and an ACT English and Math of 29. I have a 680 on SAT math but a 33 on ACT math. My dilemma is that my Critical Reading score is a 700 on the SAT, but I got only a 25 on the English portion of the ACT. I got a 34 on the reading portion.

In the three times I took the SAT, my math score didn't change even though I tried various tutoring and self-prep books in between tests. My parents really don't want me to take the SAT again. I am confused with which test I should concentrate on or if I should stop working on my standardized test scores and just focus on the rest of my application. Does anyone have any experience or advice in this area?

Right now I think I might concentrate on just bringing up my ACT english score and take the ACT again in September. I think I might be able to bring it up significantly because I got a 680 on the writing portion of the SAT. Is this a good idea? I want to get the best possible score to maximize my chances of admission. Thanks in advance!

 

[frenzymando]

I have taken the SAT 3 times and the ACT once. I have an SAT superscore of 1380 and an ACT English and Math of 29. I have a 680 on SAT math but a 33 on ACT math. My dilemma is that my Critical Reading score is a 700 on the SAT, but I got only a 25 on the English portion of the ACT.

You might want to ask your BGO or someone very knowledgeable of Naval Academy admissions if they superscore between ACT and SAT. In other words, they may take the 33 math ACT and combine it with the 700 SAT Critical reading.

 

[MammaMia]

My advice would be to take the ACT again, but know that the academy will superscore and take the highest scores from different sittings of different tests. That is, they will take your ACT math score (33) and your SAT Critical Reading score (700). However - until you know you've maxed the tests, don't give up. Study for that September ACT and best of luck!

 

[bandad]

DS took ACT several times and superscored ACT scores showed up in the portal converted to SAT scores (which he never took). The undocumented rumor I recall when DS applied was Math was worth twice the points of English. Agree to prep to do your very best, and maybe give Math that little extra push if it is indeed worth more...

Oh, http://www.usna.edu/Admissions/Steps-for-Admission/ does seem to say USNA does superscore across tests

 

[KNG523]

Thank you guys for the quick responses! I am going to email my BGO and verify that answer and continue studying for the September ACTs! I might take the October SATs too because its free because of the problem they had in June. I am definitely going to try and work towards the best possible score!

 

[bandad]

Another data point per the USNA Class of 18 profile - http://www.usna.edu/Admissions/_files/documents/ClassPortrait.pdf
The middle 50 percentile (25% to 75%) for Verbal was 600-650, and for Math was 630 - 680. If I have your scores right, you are sitting on a Verbal score of 700, and your ACT Math of 33 converts to about a 750. So good news is, you are already above the 75th percentile in both. Of course the bad news is, you don't know who you are competing against and what their scores are. So, definitely try to improve your scores, but in my opinion, you are sitting in pretty good shape right now. The best to you...