Utter Frustration with myself

Pima said:
justdoit19 said:
forumjunkie said:
go to test, take one section only and sleep through rest, then go to another test and do the same. When you try to do it all at once your brain gets fried. Some of you think this is cheating I know, but the system is set up this way so it is called working smarter not harder.
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Did not even know this was a option.
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I think what they are saying is in the end it would take you 4 times to get this done.
~ IE You would study your buttocks off for Eng. and be diligent on that portion. Than on the Math, Science, and Reading you just bubble it, come what may.
~~ I can't recall the scoring mechanism. I know one test (SAT or ACT) will knock you if the answer is wrong, but you still get credit for answering it..

Personally, I would never recommend this at all for any candidate that wants to become an AF officer. USAFA/AFROTC/OCS will require they take the AFOQT. For AFROTC this can be a make or break exam. It is held during the fall of their sophomore year. It will be a part of their score for summer field training selection, and you don't get to re-take it every month or as many times you want to take it.
~ 2X and the exam may not be taken less than 6 months apart. It is not common to take it 2x. It is usually a 1x deal, unless you did poorly because the fact is they DO NOT superscore the AFOQT, hence you risk a lot by taking it the 2nd time.
The AFOQT is like the ACT. It is timed and made up of 4 sections.

On top of that if the OP desires to fly in whatever capacity (Pilot, CSO, RPA, ABM) they need to take the TBAS. This is again a timed test and is made up of multiple aspects.

So impo, although this might sound like a good idea, I would think a better idea is to understand that for the AF, be it at USAFA, or AFROTC within 2 yrs from now you will be taking an exam just like the SAT/ACT all over again and this time you can't just keep re-taking it to better your score without being penalized. Or IOWS, it is really going to be your best sitting from the day you enter.
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No most of these kids already have an excellent single sitting score, they are just wanting to boost one area. I wouldn't do this from the start. Only after a complete sitting.
 
A number of folks here have given you some great, action-oriented counsel.

I would gently suggest that you stop worrying about how others are doing. You cannot control them or their outcomes. Do your best and stay focused. If you don't get the ACT score you want in the end, spend lots of time working to get your GPA and other credentials as strong as possible.

This might be a great opportunity to practice a positive mindset!!!
 
af85 said:
For those of you that don’t know, ACT scores from the June 9 test have started coming out.

Studying for the ACT has become a big part of my daily routine. I constantly find myself surrounded by test prep books because at this moment nothing else matters to me as much as the ACT. However I feel all this hard work and effort isn’t helping me. Here are my scores thus far:

April 2018: Composite: 29
English-24, Math-28, Reading-31, Science-34

June 2018: Composite: 28
English-28, Math-30, Reading-27, Science-26

So I guess my superscore works out to be a 31 which is a positive, but I always strive for more. My goal, however, is to get all my best test scores on one sitting so I can apply to the “public Ivy League” schools as well. I also learned that the service academies only look at English and math test scores, my two lowest sections.

Here’s where my frustration roots from. I genuinely put in a solid 50+ hours studying for that June 9 test: one practice test after another after another. I could honestly look myself in the mirror and say I put my best foot forward and gave that test my all. I guess I’m asking for words of encouragement. Things I should try to focus on or change about my study habits. I am going to give the ACT another go-around come July. But that is only three weeks away!! Also just an FYI, I learned early in my Junior year that the SAT is not the test for me, like emphasize not the test for me. Thanks!
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Our DD was in a similar position and hit a wall with her scores which drover her crazy. Given that I couldn't provide any guidance (both our DS & DD are way smarter than I ever was) we went to Barnes & Noble (yes the brick & mortar store) and we started looking through all of the ACT Prep books. We purchased the Barrons "36" Study Guide a few weeks before her next testing date and she nailed it (from a solid 31 to a 34). Not saying this is for everyone, but it either provided her more confidence or taught her some tricks that added those few extra points. Good luck.
 
And worrying about it could be actually creating your ‘problem’. I know it’s hard to ‘not worry’, but some things simply are not within your control. If you are doing the best that you can, then be proud of yourself. Focus on something else to improve. Put this part down and shift your focus on another part of the process. And if you decide to, I believe the last testing you can do is in December (check for accuracy). That is still 6 mos away.

I GUARANTEE that someone else’s ACT test score will NOT literally take away an offer of appointment from you.

If you work hard on everything overall and present YOUR best package, come this time next year you will be a peace with yourself. It will be OK.
 
Take the SAT. DS took the ACT. Made a 29. Took the SAT. Made a 1460. He's taking both again this summer.
 
af85 said:
For those of you that don’t know, ACT scores from the June 9 test have started coming out.

Studying for the ACT has become a big part of my daily routine. I constantly find myself surrounded by test prep books because at this moment nothing else matters to me as much as the ACT. However I feel all this hard work and effort isn’t helping me. Here are my scores thus far:

April 2018: Composite: 29
English-24, Math-28, Reading-31, Science-34

June 2018: Composite: 28
English-28, Math-30, Reading-27, Science-26

So I guess my superscore works out to be a 31 which is a positive, but I always strive for more. My goal, however, is to get all my best test scores on one sitting so I can apply to the “public Ivy League” schools as well. I also learned that the service academies only look at English and math test scores, my two lowest sections.

Here’s where my frustration roots from. I genuinely put in a solid 50+ hours studying for that June 9 test: one practice test after another after another. I could honestly look myself in the mirror and say I put my best foot forward and gave that test my all. I guess I’m asking for words of encouragement. Things I should try to focus on or change about my study habits. I am going to give the ACT another go-around come July. But that is only three weeks away!! Also just an FYI, I learned early in my Junior year that the SAT is not the test for me, like emphasize not the test for me. Thanks!
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Your goal should be 30+ for all sections on ACT. Most important are Math and English, your current worst. Science and Reading are secondary not as important. Only important to keep your overall composite up. Work on your grammar Algebra and Trig. You have to surpass this threshold. You are not quite in the red zone IMO but need to get those scores up. AFA try to help you by combining Math/Sci and ENG/Read to see if you can score higher. That gives you V28 Q31. Still below AFA Avg. AND Most LIKELY YOU ARE IN THEIR BOTTOM 25% centile. If the rest of your package looks good IMO you still have a chance for direct appointment. Otherwise Prep School. Prep School is actually an excellent choice because they will give you a year to improve your Math and English skills including chem and writing. Your current bad. And a year of maturity even better. Some PrePschoolers become Rhode Scholars. We met 3 such MIDN at the Naval Academy. It’s mental physical and practice to help you succeed. Don’t worry about it. Keep your focus this summer and you can still get your scores up.
 
I am pretty sure I know a prep schooler on this site that left the AF as an O6 pilot... (and no it is not my hubby)
 
justdoit19 said:
forumjunkie said:
go to test, take one section only and sleep through rest, then go to another test and do the same. When you try to do it all at once your brain gets fried. Some of you think this is cheating I know, but the system is set up this way so it is called working smarter not harder.
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Did not even know this was a option.
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Absolutely bad advice. Admissions sees that you did not try on the other sections. It says something about you. While you may focus on one section, don't blow the others off. Also be aware of how your plan B school will perceive this. Excellence in all you do.
 
CrewDad said:
. AFA try to help you by combining Math/Sci and ENG/Read to see if you can score higher. That gives you V28 Q31. Still below AFA Avg. AND Most LIKELY YOU ARE IN THEIR BOTTOM 25% centile.
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I agree with everything you stated.

However, please excuse my misunderstanding, but wouldn’t the OP have a V30 Q32 after combining the highest Eng/Read and Math/Sci scores obtained from any test date?
 
Maybe I missed his prior tests. Yes SAs Super Score so that will work for you with the highest taken on each sections. In that case you already are at AFA Avg.
 
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