ACT & SAT Scores

Hello,

Currently I have completed my application and received my nomination to both the USAFA and Naval Academy. I was reviewing my online application and realized my "non-competitive" SAT scores. I only took the SAT once, and it was in the tenth grade. As far as the admission boards go, would it be better for me to ask to take my scores out of my package? Can I even do that? Should I leave them? I realize that it probably doesn't make all that much of a difference, but I am trying to give myself the best edge possible.

Thanks

Hello,

Currently I have completed my application and received my nomination to both the USAFA and Naval Academy. I was reviewing my online application and realized my "non-competitive" SAT scores. I only took the SAT once, and it was in the tenth grade. My ACT scores are 32-math 31-english 30-reading & science. As far as the admission boards go, would it be better for me to ask to take my scores out of my package? Can I even do that? Should I leave them? I realize that it probably doesn't make all that much of a difference, but I am trying to give myself the best edge possible.

Thanks

If you haven't already submitted you ACT scores, do so asap. Based on my experience, the ACT scores helped make my daughter's application more competitive. She had good SAT scores but the ACT scores pushed her over the top. Don't know that you can remove the SAT scores but you can certainly add ACT.

GoNavyMom

Don't worry about taking out your 10th grade SAT scores. Just make sure that your competitive ACT scores are sent to USNA. USNA "superscores" these tests; that is, they take your best score for each section (verbal, math).

They'll take which ever test gives you a higher WCS, so if they have both your ACT and SAT scores, they will only count your ACT scores, so you don't have to worry about removing the SATs
Also, Navy will only count your Math and English ACTs, so you're scores are looking pretty good! (as opposed to AFA, they count all ACT scores)

USNA will take your highest ACT or SAT math and verbal scores. Thus, if you have a higher math on the ACT and a higher verbal on the SAT, USNA will look at an ACT/SAT combination.

They have repeatedly stated that they only consider your highest scores. I know that every year there are rumors that having a bunch of low scores and one high score will hurt you. I have seen no evidence this is true and, as noted, USNA specifically denies it.

Thus, for USNA purposes, there is no disadvantage (other than cost and your time) to taking both the ACT and SAT and taking them as many times as you want. As a caveat, some civilian schools (or even other SAs -- I don't know), may consider all your scores, average your scores, etc. You should check on the policies of other schools to which you apply in making your decision.

Your ACT scores are very competitive so quit worrying about that. Candidly the SAT and ACT scores are used primarily for the intial screening as they do a couple of things: 1. They represent a candidate's performance on a standardized test which saves having to interpolate grades from thousands of high schools.
2. The exams are designed to be predictors of probable performance at the college level.

Both of these can be argued til the cows come home, but that is why the SAT and ACT scores are required. Once they get past the initial screening you can be assured that your transcripts will be examined very closely from several aspects.

Best wishes to all of you.

usna1985 said:

USNA will take your highest ACT or SAT math and verbal scores. Thus, if you have a higher math on the ACT and a higher verbal on the SAT, USNA will look at an ACT/SAT combination.

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Can anyone comment or confirm that USNA admission will combine your highest ACT/SAT scores ? This does appear consistent with the info USNA sent informing DS as a 2021 candidate.

"The Naval Academy Admissions Board uses the highest critical reading score for SAT or the English score for ACT and the highest math scores from all the SAT or ACT tests taken by the candidate."

I don't see those scores as that low, especially considering when they were taken. My Son was appointed on Math 31, English 34, Reading 25