ACT or SAT

JudgeGuy

JudgeGuy

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Jun 7, 2021
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DS was advised as we are in a competitive district he should take ACT even with a 1530 SAT already. I'm not sure this would be helpful unless he crushes it. I fear it could even hurt him if it isn't a score at a level similar to his SAT.

Thoughts?
 
It would definitely not hurt him, as some students do better on one versus the other and he can just choose not to report the ACT score if it's disastrously low. Consideration is given to the score that is the highest for the student, whether it be the ACT or the SAT.
 
It might be good for him to take the ACT to see how he scores, but a 1530 will definitely put him in the top tier of applicants in just about any congressional district.
 
JudgeGuy said:
DS was advised as we are in a competitive district he should take ACT even with a 1530 SAT already. I'm not sure this would be helpful unless he crushes it. I fear it could even hurt him if it isn't a score at a level similar to his SAT.

Thoughts?
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The only downside to taking the ACT is the cost. If your DS does not score well, he doesn't need to report it. Just make sure he doesn't cause it to be reported when he signs up for the test and waits to see the score first. He'll be competitive with a 1530, but you never know if yours will be the District or State where there are a bunch of candidates with scores above 1550. Not likely, but it is a competition.
 
It never hurts to take more tests, whether they are SAT, ACT, or a mix of the two. With Superscoring, a better score in one section improves your overall total score even if the score on that specific test is lower (but remember they do not Superscore between tests).

A horrible subsequent test score will not reduce a candidate's chances at all with admissions. The low score will never be considered, so if cost is an issue it is ok to have the scores sent for free during the registration process. If cost is not a factor, you can wait for the score and then decide whether to send - definitely send if one section is higher than on previous test, even if other sections are much lower.

However, I would not send a low score to a nominations source, since there is no uniform standard for nomination sources to assess scores - unless you are certain they Superscore with no evaluation of low scores from other tests.
 
It won't hurt. Admissions will only consider your highest scores, and converts everything to an SAT score for your WCS.
 
I took both the ACT and the SAT 3 times each. I didn't need to take that many tests, but I figured I might as well try my best. I think back then, I also had the mentality that I should try to take more tests not only to improve my score, but also to show how badly I wanted it. Not sure if it actually did anything...
 
Tell DS to concentrate on other parts of the application. With a 1530 SAT and a stellar overall application it would be hard to believe that your DS wouldn't receive an offer. That being said, if he wants to retest do not discourage him because it can't hurt. I would spend time working on the CFA and leadership.
 
@JudgeGuy hi! This process is long and winding and complex. I am curious as to what person/authority advised that a 1530 needed improvement?
Please don’t use names, but did this advice come from USMA admissions? Friend?
I ask because a 1530, regardless of district is an excellent score. If academics and leadership are strong, I would think it would be a competitive application. Obviously I can’t read tea leaves so not an authority.
 
Move on to other parts of the process...

That is the advice I would have given my son.
 
JudgeGuy said:
DS was advised as we are in a competitive district he should take ACT even with a 1530 SAT already. I'm not sure this would be helpful unless he crushes it. I fear it could even hurt him if it isn't a score at a level similar to his SAT.

Thoughts?
Click to expand...
That score is already in the 99th percentile of students who took the test at the same time and is probably in the same percentile of students who will be applying at the same time as your DS. I would focus on something else other than more test-taking.
 
Heatherg21 said:
@JudgeGuy hi! This process is long and winding and complex. I am curious as to what person/authority advised that a 1530 needed improvement?
Please don’t use names, but did this advice come from USMA admissions? Friend?
I ask because a 1530, regardless of district is an excellent score. If academics and leadership are strong, I would think it would be a competitive application. Obviously I can’t read tea leaves so not an authority.
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Field Force Representative... not concerned w/ admissions, but Congressional review as he said the district is one of the most competitive in country.
 
JudgeGuy said:
Field Force Representative... not concerned w/ admissions, but Congressional review as he said the district is one of the most competitive in country.
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Understood. Well, if you think with a little time invested (if you have time) you could improve? Possibly worth doing. If there are other aspects of your application that you can make dramatic improvements in, that is where I would advise my DS to put his efforts. To me, those also include intangibles; essays, personal statements, and very difficult and uncomfortable interview preparation. Also, your Plans B-Z need to be on your radar for sure.

Also, I would have someone review your resume. See if you can locate an academy alumnus, a current officer, an upper management level corporate America individual who might be willing to critique it and help you tweak it. Those would also be people who would make excellent panelists on a mock interview board.

I am just spitballing here, but if the District is that competitive, and everyone is a super star, little things like how you present yourself and carry yourself in person during interviews may tip the scales. Others on this site have sat on and do sit on these boards so they may want to weigh in.
 
Heatherg21 said:
Understood. Well, if you think with a little time invested (if you have time) you could improve? Possibly worth doing. If there are other aspects of your application that you can make dramatic improvements in, that is where I would advise my DS to put his efforts. To me, those also include intangibles; essays, personal statements, and very difficult and uncomfortable interview preparation. Also, your Plans B-Z need to be on your radar for sure.

Also, I would have someone review your resume. See if you can locate an academy alumnus, a current officer, an upper management level corporate America individual who might be willing to critique it and help you tweak it. Those would also be people who would make excellent panelists on a mock interview board.

I am just spitballing here, but if the District is that competitive, and everyone is a super star, little things like how you present yourself and carry yourself in person during interviews may tip the scales. Others on this site have sat on and do sit on these boards so they may want to weigh in.
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Thanks all great info and advice!
 
JudgeGuy said:
Thanks all great info and advice!
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Our USMA State Parent Club held mock interviews for all SA applicants (within our state) that wanted to participate. I think that experience was invaluable and may have tipped the scales for our DS.
 
All thanks for the info and advice! Much appreciated...
DS has a strong profile, with the high SAT, Eagle Scout, BS, varsity track & XC, XC Capt., Student body Pres., NHS, service group founder.... He was worried that not taking ACT will be viewed as a negative after FFR meeting.
It is probably a mute point anyway as I just was looking at a FAQ on a senator page and saw the following
"ACT test scheduled for September 11, 2021. The results from these tests may not be available before the application deadline. "

Thanks again for the info. with this marathon process ;-)
 
JudgeGuy said:
DS has a strong profile, with the high SAT, Eagle Scout, BS, varsity track & XC, XC Capt., Student body Pres., NHS, service group founder....
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It would be difficult to imagine that he would not win appointment as a Qualified Alternate if he did not win a MOC vacancy.

But I have always said it is better to fight for every point and win by a landslide than to assume victory and get passed at the finish line.
 
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