Competitive ACT/SAT Scores

M19

10-Year Member
5-Year Member
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Mar 22, 2009
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Hi,

I was just wondering what ACT and SAT scores are considered competitive for admission into USMA. I just found out my ACT results today, and I am not sure if they are good or not. Also, any past/current/soon-to-be cadets want to share their scores to help give some hopeful Class of 2014 Cadets an idea of where they stand score-wise?

Thanks,

M19
:cool:
 
I was accepted with an 1860 on the SAT's. Doesn't the school post the mean scores for their students on their website?
 
Yes, the mean scores are posted online.

I personally got a 30 comp., but I was just wondering if that is an ok score and would make me a competitive candidate for 2014.

I will also be taking the ACT w/writing again next week as part of the PSAE (IL State Test), and hope to do better. As a junior, would it be to my benefit to send in the test scores to USMA now, or should I wait? I plan on getting the application completed as soon as possible, and will take the CFA at SLS Session 2 this summer.

Also, am I correct in thinking that USMA will take the best scores for each test I take and combine them?

Thanks for all the help,

M19
:cool:
 
Also, am I correct in thinking that USMA will take the best scores for each test I take and combine them?

Yes, they will take the best scores.
 
30 composite will put you in the upper quartile, ACT-wise, so you are definitely competitive. Good luck with the rest of your application!
 
M19,

Good job on those ACT scores! Those will definatly help with the admissions. When I took the ACT, the writing portion is the part that got me.
But considering you got a 30, you should even do better on the ACT this time. Keep up the good work!

USMAalltheway
 
Will West Point take the best score from the ACT (English or Math) and combine it with the best score from the SAT (Verbal or Math)?

What is "competitive" for both tests?

Thanks!
 
Wookieslayer16,

The United States Military Academy will accept the best scores from both the SAT and ACT. Say the first time you took the ACT, for example, you got a score of 26 on math, and a 29 on Science. Then, if you took the ACT again, and got a score of 29 on math, and a 26 in Science, West Point would take the best of the scores to give a 29 on both math and science. (If you have any other questions on this, let me know.)

For the other question, competitive scores from what I've heard are the following: SAT, mean average of 650. ACT mean average of 27. Remember though, these scores differ on being nominated,(and these scores are middle competition.) Minimal scores would be somewhere in the SAT range of 530,and the ACT-22. Upper competition scores would be in the SAT range of 700 and the ACT-29 or 30. Hope this helps you. If you have any questions about this or about USMA, let me know.

USMAalltheway
USMA class of 2014 hopeful
 
Wookieslayer16,

The United States Military Academy will accept the best scores from both the SAT and ACT. Say the first time you took the ACT, for example, you got a score of 26 on math, and a 29 on Science. Then, if you took the ACT again, and got a score of 29 on math, and a 26 in Science, West Point would take the best of the scores to give a 29 on both math and science. (If you have any other questions on this, let me know.)

For the other question, competitive scores from what I've heard are the following: SAT, mean average of 650. ACT mean average of 27. Remember though, these scores differ on being nominated,(and these scores are middle competition.) Minimal scores would be somewhere in the SAT range of 530,and the ACT-22. Upper competition scores would be in the SAT range of 700 and the ACT-29 or 30. Hope this helps you. If you have any questions about this or about USMA, let me know.

USMAalltheway
USMA class of 2014 hopeful

Couple more questions:

- Does West Point look at the ACT Science and Reading scores, or just the Math and English?

- What if you had a 550 CR in the SAT and a 28 English in the ACT, and a 620 Math in the SAT and 26 Math in the ACT...would they take the 28 ACT and the 620 Math as the best overall scores?
 
Wookieslayer16,

The United States Military Academy looks at every ACT subject. It seems though, that they put a greater emphasisi on doing well on the Math and English sections. Still though, all of the subjects have academic importance to them.

To answer your other question, if you had a 28 in English and a 26 in Math, West Point would take the BEST score in EACH SUBJECT. So you would not get a mean average of 28 on the ACT because of just one 28. The 28 would only go on your English score, and would only be changed if you scored higher the next time you took the test. The exact smae thing applies to the SAT. Hope that helps. If you have any other questions about this, the applicaton process, or USMA, please let me know.

USMAalltheway
USMA class of 2014 hopeful
 
It's not all scores

Scores count ... and count a lot, but there's more to an academy nomination/offer than schores .... My son will be in the Naval Academy class of 2013 ... had decent, but not outstanding scores (SAT 690 Math; but not over 600 in English) ... BUT he had a high GPA (4.33); was a multi-sport varsity athlete, took lots of AP/Honors classes ... did Scouts, community service etc ... he also wrote great essays, recieved several Congressional nominations etc ... so Scores count ... but EVERYTHING counts.
 
MJOmom is sooo right! You can't just rely on your ACT and SAT scores to get you addmission to an academy. It needs to be a mix of academics, sports, and leadership.

MJOmom-congratulations on your son getting appointed to USNA! I have a couple of friends who go to USNA and they say it is amazing. Once again, congratulations! :thumb:

USMAalltheway
 
Thanks USMAalltheway! We are thrilled for him! He (and his dad) are back on a candidate visittation weekend right now. I haven't spoken to my son, but my husband went on several tours around campus and is beyond thrilled, and impressed!
 
MJOmom,

It's good to hear what your son is doing. Not many people realize what a great honor and privilege we have to serve our great country(and get a great education at the same time). I bet your son sure is excited, since A-day is only a couple of months away! I can't wait until I go up to the east in July to visit the campuses of USMA and USNA!:biggrin: Wishing you and your son all the best,

USMAalltheway
class of 2014 candidate
 
ACT or SAT

Did I receive good counsel when I was told to choose one test, either the ACT or the SAT, and take repeatedly? I've only focused on the ACT and have never taken the SAT. Additionally, I've never taken the PSAT either. I did, however, take the ASVAB when offered at my high school (don't think it has any bearing whatsoever in the application process...at least not that I have ever read). Thank you for your help.
 
Pursueadream,

I am sorry to say no-you did not recieve good counsel on only taking one standardized test repeatedly. Taking that you want to apply to an academy for nomination(if you haven't already), you MUST take both the ACT and SAT.
Also, take these tests repeatedly, to increase your scores. Any military academy takes your best scores from each test too, as an added bonus. I hope that you have scored well on the ACT. Remember though, test scores won't get you into an academy. It needs to be a good mix of academics, sports, and leadership skills.

If you have any questions on the ACT or SAT, West Point, the application process, ideas to increase your competitiveness, or anything else-reply back. I love answering any questions and I usually respond with a 24 hour period. So please be all means,ask away if you have any questions.

USMAalltheway
class of 2014 candidate
 
Pursueadream,

Taking that you want to apply to an academy for nomination(if you haven't already), you MUST take both the ACT and SAT.

USMAalltheway
class of 2014 candidate

USMAalltheway, are you implying that you have to take both the SAT and ACT? I m pretty sure you could take both but either or was fine.
 
RascalFlatts5858,

Where I live, you must take both the ACT and SAT to even be considered for nomination. I not entirely sure if everywhere is the same, but I still think taking both the ACT and SAT is better becuase it makes you more of a competitive applicant. Also, taking both tests might help you out if you score well on one test and do bad on the other. If you have any other questions let me know. Thanks.


USMAalltheway
 
USMAalltheway, I agree with RascalFlatts5858 in that only one test is required. However, all of the test scores are looked at and the highest scores from each section will be used; which is why most people take the tests more then once. While taking both tests can be beneficial, since one may do better on one test then the other, most candidates do take both tests then focus on the one they did better in.

pursueadream, as long as you did well on your ACT and continue to focus on improving your scores (as well as being a well-rounded individual) you should be well prepared to apply.

M19
:cool:

USMAalltheway beat me to my reply, but I guess a candidates region may influence which test they take as well as if they need to take one or both!
 
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