Test Scores

USAFA-BOUND2015

5-Year Member
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Oct 4, 2009
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I have a hard time of getting good Test Scores. Other than that I have an excellent and well rounded resume. Is this going to stop me from getting accepted or considered?
 
I have a hard time of getting good Test Scores. Other than that I have an excellent and well rounded resume. Is this going to stop me from getting accepted or considered?

Yes.

Okay, now that I just slapped you....breathe....again, breathe.... :thumb:

Now...the short answer is precisely what I just stated: yes, poor test scores WILL keep you out. That's a fact, but not only at USAFA or any of the SA's, but at ANY university/college that has a "standard" that must be met and that you don't meet.

I didn't get into USAFA (or any SA) out of high school because my SAT scores were too low (I had a 550v, 560m). But...I went to Northwestern Prep (thank you USAFA and Falcon Foundation) and the focus for me was SAT and ACT preparation.

The results? SAT of 750v, 760m if I remember correctly (I'm in Hong Kong right now and can't look at my tattered and faded copy of the scores) which definitely put me in!

SO...if you're having difficulty with the tests, here's my recommendation:

1. TAKE BOTH tests, SAT and ACT to see which you're more comfortable with
2. There are NUMEROUS prep courses, online study aids, books, etc...etc...that you can tackle to help prepare
3. Speak with your guidance counselor to get as many aids as you can

And then work, work, and work some more!

You'll be amazed at how quickly you'll be able to raise your scores!!! :thumb:

Steve
USAFA ALO
USAFA '83
 
But...I went to Northwestern Prep (thank you USAFA and Falcon Foundation) and the focus for me was SAT and ACT preparation.

DEFINITELY. Even if you do not receive a falcon scholarship, if it is test scores that hold you down, I strongly suggest looking into attending Northwestern Prep. One of their main focuses is on raising SAT and ACT standardized test scores (you are required to take them every time they are offered. I think it was 6 times)
 
Most definitely what Steve and XT said. However; "Too Low" or "Too Little" etc... are very subjective terms. One of my applicants applying to civilian universities was upset because they thought their ACT scores were "Too Low". They were applying to Purdue, Cornell, and Dartmouth. Their composite ACT was a 33. So, for her, she was upset.

Guess what I'm saying is, are your test scores "LOW" based on the average in the stats of Air Force Academy cadets; or based on your opinion. In other words, it would help to know what your scores are. But, as Steve so correctly said, take the tests as many times as you can. Take BOTH the SAT and the ACT. The academy will use the best scores. And you can NEVER DO WORSE on a test. The academy uses your highest scores. Even if one area was high last time and lower this time, but another area is higher this time from last time. They will use the higher of both. So take them as many times as you can. And follow the advice of steve and XT. Best of luck to you. Mike....
 
And remember, the SAT and ACT are all about HOW you take the test. For math, underline what they are asking you for (i.e. x+2, not x). In the verbal, consult the readings for every question that contains a line number. Also, get some vocab cards from your local chain bookstore. These are simple ways to boost your scores by far more than you think. Keep working hard! Best of luck, Vampsoul.
 
A strategy for the SAT or ACT

Once upon a time I took the LSAT, after attending a Kaplan course, and got a mediocre score. (Not Kaplan's fault, purely my own fault for not taking it seriously enough.) When I got my scores, I immediately knew I had to re-take the test if I had any hopes of getting into law school. So, I followed this strategy suggested by a friend who's scores got him into the University of Virginia Law School: First, study every day for at least 6 weeks leading up to the test. Include 30 min to 45 min practice sessions every night. Second, obtain 4 full sample tests. One Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday nights leading up to the Saturday exam take a full-on sample test exactly like you'd take the real test. Go someplace where you will not be disturbed (i.e. turn off computer, phone, tv, etc....you need to replicate the test environment as much as possible.) After each exam, score your test. I'll bet you'll see an improvement each time. On Friday, eat and sleep well. On Saturday, you'll be so pumped full of SAT or ACT knowledge that you'll probably score 100 points higher than you had on any prior test.
Part of the practice is getting the timing down. You'll also get a few extra points simply from the fact there are only so many SAT words and math problems, etc...so you'll probably see some of the same questions that you practiced with a fews nights earlier.
That technique worked for me. Keep it in mind. And good luck!!!
 
i was accepted into the academy this year and my SAT scores were nothing incredible, but i'll say that i was very surprised on how well i did on the ACT...so my advice: try both!:thumb:
 
i was accepted into the academy this year and my SAT scores were nothing incredible, but i'll say that i was very surprised on how well i did on the ACT...so my advice: try both!:thumb:

YES YES YES!!!

I can't emphasize this enough!! Take BOTH...

Here's a little gem that folks have been trying to pin down since I was in HS...and folks that was...well...let's just say the Bicentennial was a fun party! :thumb:

Folks in the "East" tend to do better on the SAT while folks in the "West" tend to do better on the ACT.

Why?

Nobody has figured that one out, no good statistician, nobody...but the numbers over the decades bear this out.

So do BOTH...and decide which is YOUR test...and then nail that sucka!

Steve
USAFA ALO
USAFA '83
 
And remember that you are competing with others on your nomination slate, not the entire pool. That makes a big difference. My son did not get in this year with strong scores and decent grades, because he was not the academy's first choice of the 10 on the nomination slate.

(He is going Falcon at NW Prep, though! :thumb:)

I reiterate all the good advice--do what you can to be the best candidate you can be. Then try to relax! (Easy for me to say . . .)
 
YES YES YES!!!

I can't emphasize this enough!! Take BOTH...

Here's a little gem that folks have been trying to pin down since I was in HS...and folks that was...well...let's just say the Bicentennial was a fun party! :thumb:

Folks in the "East" tend to do better on the SAT while folks in the "West" tend to do better on the ACT.

Why?

Nobody has figured that one out, no good statistician, nobody...but the numbers over the decades bear this out.

So do BOTH...and decide which is YOUR test...and then nail that sucka!

Steve
USAFA ALO
USAFA '83

A possible reason, I believe, is the academic areas different regions emphasize. Here in PA, our PSSA (the state's standardized test that measures progress for No Child Left Behind) originally only stressed math and English. Since schools organized their curricula to accommodate the test, PA has done very poorly on the science portion of the ACTs but has done well ib the SATs. Because of this, a science section was added to the test last year.
 
Take the SAT/ACT as many times possible from now until you have the absolute deadline for your scores to be in. I took the SAT a total of 6 times and the ACT 4 times. It all paid off because I finally received my appointment. I studied super hard for all the tests I took and I definitely saw an improvement each time I took it, if you take challenging courses the material will also help you boost your scores just that much more.

These were my SAT scores:
880- Soph. year
1020- Summer going into Junior year
1120- Junior year (after i got rejected from Summer Seminar)
1170- Junior year later in the year
1180- Summer going into senior year
1170- Senior year early on

Just make sure you spread them out and dont waste money and actually study for each sitting.

The fact is that even though I didn't score that high overall each time I superscored to a 1220 overall.They will superscore ALL your scores( ie. take the highest scores from each sitting) so you can focus on one portion of the test one time taking it then focus on another that you need to bring up. The ACT is actually what saved me though....the test is more practical and not as ambiguous as the SAT. I finally superscored to a 28 but the highest I got on a single sitting was a 26. Regardless, you should try your best and study hard for every section but when you need to bring up a score or two and already have high scores in the other sections, focus on your "needy" scores.
 
So the AFA DOES superscore??? I hadn't heard this but hope it is true! My DS is finishing his junior year and just got back his ACT's. He got a 31 which I understand is pretty good. What brought him down was a 28 in math which we were super surprised about because he is in a dual-enrollment calc class and math has always been a strong subject for him. He scored low in the geometry section which he took as a freshman. I'm considering have him take the ACT again to bring up that math score IF they do superscore. He got 33 in reading & science and 30 in english. SAT's he took the first Saturday of spring break when he was totally burned out from his 3rd quarter. Got a 1240 math/reading combined to I think we will have him take that again soon.

BTW, DS did get into SS for AFA this summer (session 3) without SAT or ACT (scores hadn't come in yet)...got in off of his PSAT scores, GPA, etc.

Can anyone confirm that AFA superscores and how do you know??? Thanks:)

acesmom
Mom of AFA Candidate Class of 2015
 
I know personally because I received my appointment with a 1220 SAT and 28 ACT even though the highest I scored in one sitting at the SAT was 1180 and ACT 26. They take your absolute best scores from every sitting no matter how many times the test is taken. Congrats on your son making it into SS!
 
My appointee did not do as well on first sitting of SAT. Did fairly well on parts of the ACT and then took SAT over. Scores improved. He really liked a book called "Hack the SAT". It is rather short and gave some very good tips according to my son. His score improved significantly so it may be useful for anyone out there re-doing or even taking the SAT for the first time.
Also have heard that a good protein breakfast and vitamins are a nice boost, may or may not improve score, but can improve attitude:smile:
 
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