SAT worries

Nollie

5-Year Member
Joined
Nov 21, 2013
Messages
110
I know this forum has many SAT questions adn nobody really has any answers, but am frustrated. My son has been at NASS and did very well. Went to CVW in the fall, and has been a varsity captain for football, baseball and hockey. He is ranked in the top 10 of his class out of 255 and has a GPA of 94.75. His leadership resume is extensive as well as community help and volunteering, invitation and attendance at Boys State and seems to have the package USNA is looking for. If admissions is a whole package score, how much weight does a low reading score have. His Math SAT is in the 600's but after 3 takes on the SAT his reading score is only 520. Will this be a deal breaker or will this put him in the academically unqualified pile and put him in position for a NAPS appointment? Any comments or insight would be helpful.
 
Last edited:
Have your DS take the ACT. My DS had similar scores on the SAT as yours but was much stronger on the ACT.

Sent using the Service Academy Forums® mobile app
 
ACT

He did take it. He got a 22 I think and the Academy wants 24 we are told. His math score was also high on the ACT. He does excellent academically and would hate to see his dream ruined over one score on a standardized test. Being an engineering school, I hope the weight of the math score is higher than the reading.
 
He did take it. He got a 22 I think and the Academy wants 24 we are told. His math score was also high on the ACT. He does excellent academically and would hate to see his dream ruined over one score on a standardized test. Being an engineering school, I hope the weight of the math score is higher than the reading.

If you can afford one and have not done so already, find a tutor who specializes in a either the ACT/SAT. My DD daughter took her first ACT as a sophomore and scored a 15 in reading, worked with a tutor with a final score of 30. The USNA admissions should have a profile for the Class of 2017 it will give you an idea of where he needs to be in order to be a competitive candidate. Obviously lots of other factors go into the selection process, but standardized test scores do carry significant weight.

Good Luck
 
SAT

I'm in a similar situation with SAT scores. The only thing I would say is GET THAT MATH UP! 600s is good don't get me wrong, but try and get as close to 800 as possible (scoring a 750 or up on math might just be enough to "hide" his weak spots).
 
Good idea on the Math. He has taken an online class to help with the reading but it didn't help. He is very good a math so we will try that strategy.
 
Don't want to burst anyone's bubble but from what I'm hearing anecdotally (not officially) this year, verbal under 550 -- or even under 600 -- could indeed be a killer. Historically, this has not been the case but as candidates get stronger across the board, if two "equal" candidates -- one with low verbal and one with high verbal -- you can figure which will get the nod.
 
Don't want to burst anyone's bubble but from what I'm hearing anecdotally (not officially) this year, verbal under 550 -- or even under 600 -- could indeed be a killer. Historically, this has not been the case but as candidates get stronger across the board, if two "equal" candidates -- one with low verbal and one with high verbal -- you can figure which will get the nod.

Do you know what that roughly translates to in the ACT?
 
I had a 580 in CR and was accepted. Worry more about the whole-person score - leadership, extracurricular activities, GPA, interviews, essays, etc. Well-rounded is the ideal concept here.
 
NAPS

Don't want to burst anyone's bubble but from what I'm hearing anecdotally (not officially) this year, verbal under 550 -- or even under 600 -- could indeed be a killer. Historically, this has not been the case but as candidates get stronger across the board, if two "equal" candidates -- one with low verbal and one with high verbal -- you can figure which will get the nod.[/QUOTE

Possible NAPS appointment do you think?
 
Possible NAPS appointment do you think?

With lower than average test scores and higher than average leadership/sports, I would think NAPS is more likely than a direct appointment. I can't recall. Did you say if he was a recruited athlete?
 
athlete status

He was not recruited for any sports that are D1, but has been in contact with the hockey coach, who cannot recruit players. He is a goalie. He plays football and baseballalso, but was not recruited.
 
Back
Top