Accommodated ACT scores

[Wendolyn.89]

Good afternoon, everyone! I have been having some trouble nailing down the truth regarding whether or not USAFA accepts accommodated ACT test scores. I received extra time, have already submitted my scores and I have been promoted to candidate status in the application process. What do I do if the scores they have already accepted, are technically unacceptable? How is USAFA supposed to know whether or not the submitted test scores are "legal" (if they truly don't allow accommodated scores)? I've searched, but haven't read anywhere saying that USAFA doesn't accept accommodated scores except for one person on an old thread. I know USNA doesn't accept them, so I am worried USAFA doesn't either...

 

[Capt MJ]

Good afternoon, everyone! I have been having some trouble nailing down the truth regarding whether or not USAFA accepts accommodated ACT test scores. I received extra time, have already submitted my scores and I have been promoted to candidate status in the application process. What do I do if the scores they have already accepted, are technically unacceptable? How is USAFA supposed to know whether or not the submitted test scores are "legal" (if they truly don't allow accommodated scores)? I've searched, but haven't read anywhere saying that USAFA doesn't accept accommodated scores except for one person on an old thread. I know USNA doesn't accept them, so I am worried USAFA doesn't either...

As noted in the USNA discussion thread on your similar question and in the references provided there, the standard is the same for military medical accession across all commissioning sources. I recommend you dive in and read closely. Just wade through until you get to stuff applicable to you. Critical thinking skills exercise!

Here is the USAFA “short list” of most common disqualifications. It’s excerpted from the DoD Medical accession standard to show the most common DQs. If you haven’t yet read every page, link and drop-down or hamburger menu item on the USAFA website, that is your primary source and a great place to get started on the legwork you will be doing to move through the application process.

Disqualifications | Medical Requirements | U.S. Air Force Academy

Review a list of selected disqualifying medical conditions which may or may not be waiverable for admission into the United States Air Force Academy.

www.academyadmissions.com

Your guidance counselor or whoever is submitting transcripts will also provide information about IEP, accommodations, etc., in response to a form provided by USAFA.

 

[NavyHopefulMom2027]

Page 4 of the Instructions to Candidates book.

"Pre-candidates and candidates are encouraged to take the ACT and/or SAT multiple times as USAFA utilizes
super scoring. Through super scoring, the best combination of all SAT scores and the best combination of all ACT
scores will be evaluated. We do not combine SAT and ACT scores. Test scores must be achieved under national
testing conditions on a national test date. State-required test scores will also be accepted. Please note, each subtest of
the ACT and SAT must be taken (SAT includes both the Evidence Based Reading and Writing section and the Math
section; ACT includes English, Math, Reading, and Science Reasoning). Stand-alone subtest scores will not be
accepted. We do not accept nonstandard (extended time) or special scores. Active Duty Airmen can take the SAT
and ACT through their Base Education Office if they have that capability. All Airmen are encouraged to retake the
SAT or ACT."

The self-submitted scores are not the official scores so you would still have to submit through college board and those I am sure are marked with time accommodations. I would reach out to the admissions department or your mentor ALO and ask how to proceed.

 

[Wendolyn.89]

Page 4 of the Instructions to Candidates book.

"Pre-candidates and candidates are encouraged to take the ACT and/or SAT multiple times as USAFA utilizes
super scoring. Through super scoring, the best combination of all SAT scores and the best combination of all ACT
scores will be evaluated. We do not combine SAT and ACT scores. Test scores must be achieved under national
testing conditions on a national test date. State-required test scores will also be accepted. Please note, each subtest of
the ACT and SAT must be taken (SAT includes both the Evidence Based Reading and Writing section and the Math
section; ACT includes English, Math, Reading, and Science Reasoning). Stand-alone subtest scores will not be
accepted. We do not accept nonstandard (extended time) or special scores. Active Duty Airmen can take the SAT
and ACT through their Base Education Office if they have that capability. All Airmen are encouraged to retake the
SAT or ACT."

The self-submitted scores are not the official scores so you would still have to submit through college board and those I am sure are marked with time accommodations. I would reach out to the admissions department or your mentor ALO and ask how to proceed.

Thank you so much

 

[NavyHopefulMom2027]

Thank you so much

You are welcome. Be sure to go back to the book for all your questions. You are definitely going to have to take the tests under normal conditions for all of the SAs. The helpful thing is they will superscore. So if you can practice focusing all your attention on one section for one test and the other section for another test that may help you with your overall score. In the candidate book it tells you the minimums, you should be aiming for above those.

As far as already being a candidate when you probably wouldn't have been, that is something you should talk to admissions or your mentor ALO about.

I noticed on your other post that you are dyslexic and have ADHD. Be sure to research the links that Cpt MJ has provided. If you are taking medication for your ADHD, you have to be off it for a period of time before your condition can be waiverable. Also, you have to be without accommodations at school along with the standardized tests.

Best wishes to you as you navigate this path and make decisions for your future. (As an aside, my husband is dyslexic and he has been in finance for 30 years! Nothing but numbers, all day, every day.) So life is definitely what you make of it! I am sure you will find your perfect fit!

 

[Wendolyn.89]

You are welcome. Be sure to go back to the book for all your questions. You are definitely going to have to take the tests under normal conditions for all of the SAs. The helpful thing is they will superscore. So if you can practice focusing all your attention on one section for one test and the other section for another test that may help you with your overall score. In the candidate book it tells you the minimums, you should be aiming for above those.

As far as already being a candidate when you probably wouldn't have been, that is something you should talk to admissions or your mentor ALO about.

I noticed on your other post that you are dyslexic and have ADHD. Be sure to research the links that Cpt MJ has provided. If you are taking medication for your ADHD, you have to be off it for a period of time before your condition can be waiverable. Also, you have to be without accommodations at school along with the standardized tests.

Best wishes to you as you navigate this path and make decisions for your future. (As an aside, my husband is dyslexic and he has been in finance for 30 years! Nothing but numbers, all day, every day.) So life is definitely what you make of it! I am sure you will find your perfect fit!

Thank you that's very encouraging! I have never taken medication for dyslexia or ADHD. I also had never even heard of IEP until I began researching all of this. I have been researching Cpt MJ's helpful sources, and will continue to reference and read my Candidate booklet! I am also in the process of contacting my M-ALO about these concerns.

 

[bopper]

Keep in mind...the "win" for you may not be attending USAFA....the "win" may be that you get evaluated for dyslexia, get an IEP, and get further accommodations in college (other than USAFA) and find a job that works for you!

One of my favorite co-workers was legally blind and dyslexic...but she was so smart and we just worked together to get around her dyslexic issues. (change comment on page 27? No, its 72 but great thought!)