Take, take, and retake! Find which test (ACT or SAT) is YOUR best. USAFA doesn't care which test. They don't care how many times it takes you. They just want excellent scores.
I did better on the ACT, as did my own kids. (USAFA candidates) One reason is you can guess on the ACT. For example, an excerpt from an ALO-approved study guide:
"Two-Minute Drill (ACT only)
The 2-minute drill is an absolute necessity for students looking to increase their ACT scores. Using the 2 minute drill, you ensure that you have an answer for every question on the test. Students who do not have an answer for every question on the ACT are throwing away valuable points – points that could make a difference in the college admissions process.
Here’s how the 2-minute drill works. Pick your favorite column A, B, C, or D before test day!! Then, two minutes before the end of each ACT section (you’ll know when you’ve reached 2 minutes before the end of the section because you’ll be using a “digital” watch), you fill in all answers you have not completed in that section with your favorite column (A, B, C, or D). It’s important to stick with the same column throughout the test.
This is what will happen. You’ll get 20-25% of the answers correct that you use the 2-minute drill on. This will often increase your score by a full two 2 points on each section of the ACT. For example, a score of 18 will likely increase to 20, and a score of 23 will likely increase to 25."
You can't guess on the SAT.
If you are still reading
DO NOT to let the standardized test scores get you down. It is just a roadblock on the road to appointment. You can jump over it! Some people just aren't good at the standardized tests (me, for instance) but did fine at USAFA. So, pick yourself up, prepare, then fight back.
Did you know you can walk in for the June test? Why not try? An extra fee but may be worth it. Best way to study for this one is to buy the official ACT practice test book--the one by the ACT folks themselves--you can a used copy(ies) on Amazon for cheap, and simply take as many tests as you can cram in. They do repeat questions over the years and the stuff will start to look familiar after a while if you do enough years of practice tests.
Last year the AOG posted a nice article about a cadet tennis champ--she admitted she took the SAT/ACT 10 times before getting the scores she needed for admission!!
If this alone won't do it, there is always NWP (Northwestern Prep) after graduation as a free agent. Bringing up test scores is what they DO over there. May be worth a semester. Kids' scores will go up hundreds of points. For us it was an ACT composite up 5, and math alone was 8 and science 9!!