Do MOC’s Superscore?

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usna1234

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Apr 25, 2018
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I’m curious to know if the majority of MOC’s Superscore standardized tests. According to one of my MOC’s website, it states “if you retake the SAT or ACT tests, please notify our office of any increases in your scores. Please note that the Academy Selection Committee considers your highest scores.”
I feel there could be many interpretations of that last sentence. Does that mean they consider the highest subscores regardless of when the test was taken? Or does that mean they consider the highest single sitting? I couldn’t imagine MOC’s not superscoring test scores when all the SA’s do! Regardless, let me know your thoughts!?
 
usna1234 said:
I’m curious to know if the majority of MOC’s Superscore standardized tests. According to one of my MOC’s website, it states “if you retake the SAT or ACT tests, please notify our office of any increases in your scores. Please note that the Academy Selection Committee considers your highest scores.”
I feel there could be many interpretations of that last sentence. Does that mean they consider the highest subscores regardless of when the test was taken? Or does that mean they consider the highest single sitting? I couldn’t imagine MOC’s not superscoring test scores when all the SA’s do! Regardless, let me know your thoughts!?
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Processes and selection criteria are MOC-specific (and typically "black box" in nature), so I would not dare make any sweeping assumptions as to how each MOC would assess each applicant's SAT and/or ACT scores. Keep studying and taking the test(s) until you feel the scores accurately reflect your true capabilities.

IMHO, there are many aspects of the SA application process that are out of an applicant's control - try to focus your time and energy on those things you can directly control (one can go crazy trying to figure out what happens behind the scenes at the MOC offices and SAs).
 
Directly ask the MOC staffer who handles nominations. Not only will you get an accurate answer specific to that MOC, you’ll begin building (or reinforcing) an important relationship that can only help as the process unfolds.
 
MidCakePa said:
Directly ask the MOC staffer who handles nominations. Not only will you get an accurate answer specific to that MOC, you’ll begin building (or reinforcing) an important relationship that can only help as the process unfolds.
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Good advice! I wasn’t sure if that was a dumb question to ask the MOC. I didn’t want to start off the application process on a bad note.
 
If anything, use your question to initiate a broader introduction: who you are, where you go to school, which academy/ies you’re interested in, and so forth. It’s a 5-7 minute discussion that should serve you well. Just be sure you don’t ask any questions that you could have easily answered by looking on the MOC’s website.
 
There is no such thing as a dumb question, only a dumb presentation presentation of a question without having done any research first. You've done some now. Follow MidCakePa's sound advice.
 
Agree with the 'black box' perspective - only a MOC liason etc can give you any insight. Some MOC offices have superb SA nom liasons [ours did] others do not. SA noms are a very big deal to some MOCs and an almost afterthought to others.
 
MidCakePa said:
Directly ask the MOC staffer who handles nominations. Not only will you get an accurate answer specific to that MOC, you’ll begin building (or reinforcing) an important relationship that can only help as the process unfolds.
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I strongly recommend that the APPLICANT make this call and not the parent as it shows the staffer your poise and maturity. First impressions!
 
Each MOC runs their own process, so it isn't possible to draw conclusions or make generalizations about what other MOC's might do. Not sure what you would do differently based on how they answer your question about 'superscoring'.
 
time2 said:
Not sure what you would do differently based on how they answer your question about 'superscoring'.
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I would ensure that my ACT superscore is the highest I can get it even if my single sitting score lacks.
 
Do you think that the MOC panelists know that the ACT math and English get converted to SAT scores or even what that converted score is? My DS scored very well on ACT math and English, but not as good on science and reading. I am wondering if he should point out what the ACT math and English scores convert to for SAT scores during the interview if possible?
 
caseman said:
I am wondering if he should point out what the ACT math and English scores convert to for SAT scores during the interview if possible?
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On his resume you can parenthetically notate the SAT equivalent value, but do NOT ask him to verbally volunteer this in a panel interview (unless asked). The MOC panels are very likely to be very familiar with the ACT/SAT concordance tables.

The typical panel is made up of FFR/ALO/BGO reps, SA alums, veteran officers, and educators, all of whom are pretty knowledgeable about college standardized tests.
 
The conversions charts are available to anyone on line and can be easily found with a search engine. I doubt yur son would be giving them any useful information.
 
Agree with Kinnem. The BEST thing that your DS can do is do some role playing with a knowledgeable adult and be prepared to interview in a group environment. Just search for MOC interviews on this forum, and you will find many good threads about preparing for this important event.
 
kinnem said:
The conversions charts are available to anyone on line and can be easily found with a search engine. I doubt yur son would be giving them any useful information.
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I have tried to find an updated ACT to SAT conversion chart for just the ACT English to SAT English. I have found the Composite, the Math and the English + Reading to SAT but not the English only. It seems from other research that USNA converts the ACT to an SAT equivalent but my question is 1) does the English conversion to SAT include the Reading or just the English? On the College Board ACT web site, you can find the concordance or conversion for Composite, Math, and English + Reading only. Any help or direction would be appreciated. Thanks.
 
MOC committees routinely deal with applicants who take both the ACT and the SAT. They are (or should be) very familiar with the meaning of each score for each test. I would NOT try to provide conversions to MOCs unless they specifically request that you do so. First, it suggests the MOC folks aren't smart enough to figure it out. Second, you could use a chart that is unfavorable to you. Third, as the above poster notes, it's not necessarily a direct comparison anyway.

If you aren't sure which scores are highest (because your unofficial search shows they're similar), I would send the both scores and let the MOC sort it out. Or, as suggested above, contact the MOC SA coordinator for guidance.
 
Come nomination interview time, the chances that the panel will ask about your test scores are very low. With very little time (each of my DD’s 3 interviews were 30 minutes), they’re going to focus on your motivations. leadership examples, lessons learned, ambitions, etc. Spend your time preparing for what you’re going to say about those things.
 
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