ACT Superscore Concern

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usna1234

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Joined
Apr 25, 2018
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35
First post here! Not a troll, I promise!


Here are my two ACT scores....

Feb 2018
Composite 30
English-22 math-31 reading-34 science-33


April 2018
Composite 27
English-34 math-24 reading-25 science-25

So I would superscore these two tests for USNA. My question is, will there be any concern about the lower scores I received on the later test date? Will admissions doubt the fact that I wasn’t able to at least replicate my old scores? Will they assume I was a lucky guesser? I have heard a computer mixes and matches the scores to give the candidate the best possible score, therefore humans will never see them. How accurate is this?
 
By definition, USNA would credit you with 31 Math, 34 English. Unknown whether anybody sees the actual results or compares the two tests, although I would presume they have the ability to do so.

I will say, the results are unusual, with such a wide swing on both sides. Was this intentional, trying to game the system by taking it easy on one section so you are fresh for the other, knowing that with the superscore, only the higher score will count ?
 
Agree - unusual. Do you plan to take SAT also?
A solid balanced score on SAT might alleviate any raised eyebrows about your score split.
[You don't have to send the scores if you don't commit ahead of time.]

Not making any accusations but a more suspicious mind than mine would wonder if the same person took both those tests 60 days apart.
 
Personally if I was only trying to bring up my score on one section, I probably wouldn't try too hard on the others. It's actually not a bad strategy so that you aren't mentally exhausted during the middle of the exam. I don't think there's anything wrong with that. Only your highest scores on math and English are used, so I can't think of any reason they'd bother looking at anything else, though they could.
 
FYI - could be an issue for Plan B, C etc, and AFROTC scholarship app (not sure about NROTC) in which it typically is best overall sitting and not superscoring.
 
This actually happened to my DS also - Math went up 27 to 30 but English dropped from 32 to 25! We were debating whether the 3 point increase was worth submitting given the 7 point drop or whether it would look bad. He claims not to have checked out on English but...holy smokes.
 
usna1234 said:
First post here! Not a troll, I promise!


Here are my two ACT scores....

Feb 2018
Composite 30
English-22 math-31 reading-34 science-33


April 2018
Composite 27
English-34 math-24 reading-25 science-25

So I would superscore these two tests for USNA. My question is, will there be any concern about the lower scores I received on the later test date? How accurate is this?
Click to expand...

Your test results gave me a good laugh. It must really suck. Never seen anything like it! Probably how most others will think. The results of the 2 looks ugly at best ^^ but in reality can work for super scoring programs.

Honestly if you’re applying to programs that only super score you probably get lucky and get by with composite 33 either way. Current score mix looks like you’re gaming the system. Your next test can tell a better story. Perhaps take it one more time and see. You only need to send scores you want. So you can send 2 best tests. And cancel any tests you don’t like. This is the benefit of ACT. SAT you have to send all tests and allow the programs to super score.

Your current tests can work for schools that accept super score. I believe USAFA will cross super score to double check. I would take it one more with ACT and see. In the end just pick 3 tests and cancel the ugliest looking score if you beat your weakest section English! Most important 2 sections are English and Math for all schools! That’s how NROTC and USAFA will comp your ACT and SAT.
 
Meant to write in the end pick 2 best tests. NROTC and USNA.
 
CrewDad said:
I would take it one more with ACT and see. In the end just pick 3 tests and cancel the ugliest looking score if you beat your weakest section English! Most important 2 sections are English and Math for all schools! That’s how NROTC and USAFA will comp your ACT and SAT.
Click to expand...

A big topic I see being discussed on the forums is whether to attend Boy’s State or Summer seminar. In a similar way, should I skip Boy’s State in order to study and take the ACT on June 9th? As I did more research, many schools want to see single sitting ACT test results. My highest single sitting score is only a 30. I would like to hear everyone’s perspective on this!

I’ve tried to work around this dilemma by requesting an early departure time from Boy’s State, but they won’t let me.
 
usna1234 said:
CrewDad said:
I would take it one more with ACT and see. In the end just pick 3 tests and cancel the ugliest looking score if you beat your weakest section English! Most important 2 sections are English and Math for all schools! That’s how NROTC and USAFA will comp your ACT and SAT.
Click to expand...

A big topic I see being discussed on the forums is whether to attend Boy’s State or Summer seminar. In a similar way, should I skip Boy’s State in order to study and take the ACT on June 9th? As I did more research, many schools want to see single sitting ACT test results. My highest single sitting score is only a 30. I would like to hear everyone’s perspective on this!

I’ve tried to work around this dilemma by requesting an early departure time from Boy’s State, but they won’t let me.
Click to expand...

If you really want to take another ACT, you don't have to abandon Boys State. You could take the test in the fall in time for most application deadlines. It's probably a good idea if you're applying to schools or scholarships that don't superscore.
 
Kierkegaard is right. There are around 4 more test dates in the fall and end of summer. Plenty of time to present to schools. Don’t send any scores to schools until you settled on couple you are happy with. Plus you have more time to prep!
 
CrewDad said:
usna1234 said:
First post here! Not a troll, I promise!


Here are my two ACT scores....

Feb 2018
Composite 30
English-22 math-31 reading-34 science-33


April 2018
Composite 27
English-34 math-24 reading-25 science-25

So I would superscore these two tests for USNA. My question is, will there be any concern about the lower scores I received on the later test date? How accurate is this?
Click to expand...

Your test results gave me a good laugh. It must really suck. Never seen anything like it! Probably how most others will think. The results of the 2 looks ugly at best ^^ but in reality can work for super scoring programs.

Honestly if you’re applying to programs that only super score you probably get lucky and get by with composite 33 either way. Current score mix looks like you’re gaming the system. Your next test can tell a better story. Perhaps take it one more time and see. You only need to send scores you want. So you can send 2 best tests. And cancel any tests you don’t like. This is the benefit of ACT. SAT you have to send all tests and allow the programs to super score.

Your current tests can work for schools that accept super score. I believe USAFA will cross super score to double check. I would take it one more with ACT and see. In the end just pick 3 tests and cancel the ugliest looking score if you beat your weakest section English! Most important 2 sections are English and Math for all schools! That’s how NROTC and USAFA will comp your ACT and SAT.
Click to expand...

What if the high school reports the lower scores on the official transcript? My DS did much better on the SAT than ACT (SAT 640 English 680 Math) and plans to take the SAT again, but ACT was only a 26 (he was coming off the flu). He wasn't planning to submit the ACT or take it again, but the score will be on the Official HS transcript. Will that be an issue?
 
Last edited:
then make sure college board or act sends official scores

they want from official source anyway
 
Skimama said:
What if the high school reports the lower scores on the official transcript? My DS did much better on the SAT than ACT (SAT 640 English 680 Math) and plans to take the SAT again, but ACT was only a 26 (he was coming off the flu). He wasn't planning to submit the ACT or take it again, but the score will be on the Official HS transcript. Will that be an issue?
Click to expand...

Simple solution. Write to ACT and request for score cancellation. ACT will send score cancellation notice to his high school and to all schools his scores were sent. Your high school will have to then officially eliminate the test score from his records since ACT will officially eliminate the score from their official record. ACT will no longer have the score in their system. It will appear on ACT Portal that the score has been cancelled with no explanation given.

You now have a new life.

Only reason ACT cannot cancel the official score is if your high school is using the score for state or city testing requirement as part of his school official testing. Then you cannot forever cancel the score and will remain in records for life.

ACT and SAT have different philosophy with testing. ACT believes that student should be able to choose and present his her best abilities. SAT allows student to do this too by score choice. And allow the colleges to super score their sections. ACT super score is selectively adopted by growing colleges in America.

I hope this is helpful!
 
CrewDad said:
Skimama said:
What if the high school reports the lower scores on the official transcript? My DS did much better on the SAT than ACT (SAT 640 English 680 Math) and plans to take the SAT again, but ACT was only a 26 (he was coming off the flu). He wasn't planning to submit the ACT or take it again, but the score will be on the Official HS transcript. Will that be an issue?
Click to expand...

Simple solution. Write to ACT and request for score cancellation. ACT will send score cancellation notice to his high school and to all schools his scores were sent. Your high school will have to then officially eliminate the test score from his records since ACT will officially eliminate the score from their official record. ACT will no longer have the score in their system. It will appear on ACT Portal that the score has been cancelled with no explanation given.

You now have a new life.

Only reason ACT cannot cancel the official score is if your high school is using the score for state or city testing requirement as part of his school official testing. Then you cannot forever cancel the score and will remain in records for life.

ACT and SAT have different philosophy with testing. ACT believes that student should be able to choose and present his her best abilities. SAT allows student to do this too by score choice. And allow the colleges to super score their sections. ACT super score is selectively adopted by growing colleges in America.

I hope this is helpful!
Click to expand...
I think you are my new hero! Thank you!
 
Haha. Thank you for the kind words. There are many heroes on this Forum! We all care and love to hear your children succeed and win their Appointments/ROTC Scholarships! Enjoy the Sunday!
 
CrewDad said:
Haha. Thank you for the kind words. There are many heroes on this Forum! We all care and love to hear your children succeed and win their Appointments/ROTC Scholarships! Enjoy the Sunday!
Click to expand...
It is much appreciated. My DS is trying for the USAFA and USCGA and is going to USNASS this summer, so that might end up on the list too. He's also trying for ROTC scholarships in case he doesn't get an appointment. There is so much to muddle through, it's exhausting. He's a trooper though, he takes it in stride. I guess he knows he'll be where he needs to be. I just want my kids happy.
 
All those Academies are amazing options. It would be an honor to be a Cadet/Mid at any of those schools.

I believe each Academies represent their service culture pretty well. We experienced and visited all 5 Academies. Each have their uniqueness and strengths.

USCGA is a real gem if you don’t mind the smaller family like Academy experience. There is a real closeness about the CG community. We truly felt it and experienced it. You feel that at the Academy. Academy will go out of their way to give your son a close encounter with GC once he is admitted.

If your son can be ready by mid October, apply through Early Action, chances are better. No nomination is required for the CGA. And will give you a leg up to apply to the remaining Academies. And of course the ROTC options.
 
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