ACT vs. SAT

sturner11

5-Year Member
Joined
Mar 9, 2010
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I recently got my ACT scores back and was pleasantly surprised to see that I did much better on the ACT than I did on the SAT. (I used the conversion charts and my ACT to SAT is about 200 points higher than my actual SAT score). Looking at the 2013 USNA class profile, my ACT scores would put me in the top 45-25% of the class and my SAT scores would put me in the bottom half. This brought up a few questions:

1.Does the USNA consider the SAT and ACT equal (most people I know agree that the ACT is easier)?

2.Should I even send in my SAT scores considering they look mediocre compared to my ACT?

3.Will the USNA hold my bad SAT scores against me even if I send my great ACT scores?
 
I have no idea, but I suggest asking your school's college counsellor. He/she will have those answers for you in a jiffy.
 
The ACT is definitely easier than the SAT for some people (like me and you), but that's not the case for everyone. There are people who do better on the SAT than the ACT. Even though I'm not in admissions, I think it's safe to say that they weight the SAT and ACT equally. I don't know if they would count mediocre SAT scores against you, but it seems like a waste of money to send the SAT scores when you did better on the ACT.
 
You can send one or the other of the scroes. You don't have to send both SAT and ACT scores.

GoNavyMom
 
1.Does the USNA consider the SAT and ACT equal (most people I know agree that the ACT is easier)?[

Equal

2.Should I even send in my SAT scores considering they look mediocre compared to my ACT?

Up to you. USNA will only consider your highest SAT or ACT (or combination above), so if SATs are lower, no real reason to send them.

3.Will the USNA hold my bad SAT scores against me even if I send my great ACT scores?

No.
 
Candidates are well advised to take both the ACT and the SAT.

They won't count lower scores against you at all. Remember this!!
Right now it doesn't matter so much, but for those who are re-taking SAT and ACT in the fall or into the winter should have the scores sent directly to the Academies when they register for the tests. Do NOT wait until you have the scores before you send them! There will be a delay in receiving the scores if you do this.

sturner11 - you should plan on taking both tests again either later this spring and/or in the fall. Keep sending in scores - they only will look at your highest scores.
They also will *superscore* which means if your high English is from a test you took in June but your high math is from a test you took in Sept - they will combine those scores.
There is no penalty for taking the tests multiple times or scoring lower.
 
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