Clarification

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I am a class of 26 candidate and recently got a new ACT score of 28 (35 English 28 math 29 reading 25 science). Does USNA and NROTC look at just Math and English? I’ve heard different things from different people on this. I guess my biggest concern here is my science score. Does it matter? Also, is a 28 math high enough? 30 seems to be the magic number and I was just wondering if anyone has gotten accepted with a math of 28. Thanks.
 
USNA only looks at math and English. If you look at recent class profiles, you'll have a decent sense of scores for each entering class. Also keep in mind that a score that may be acceptable for USNA purposes may not be high enough to get an MOC nom -- depends on where you live and the emphasis (if any) the MOC puts on standardized test scores.
 
You are wise to look into this for each academy and school that you are looking at. I hadn’t realized that many look only at English and Math. When my son’s ACT arrived and the composite score translated higher than his SAT (driven by his Science score) we were very excited and rushed to send it to his top academies/schools. We hadn’t realized that many only consider the English and Math and so we ended up sending them a lower score than the SAT they already had. We cringe every time we look at the portals.
 
usna1985 said:
USNA only looks at math and English. If you look at recent class profiles, you'll have a decent sense of scores for each entering class. Also keep in mind that a score that may be acceptable for USNA purposes may not be high enough to get an MOC nom -- depends on where you live and the emphasis (if any) the MOC puts on standardized test scores.
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I second the suggestion of looking into how competitive you MOC district is...
 
Braves fan said:
How might I find out how competitive my district is?
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Here’s what you essentially need to know about your district’s competitiveness.

First, there’s no database or website that tells you this. What we know is from anecdotes, statistics that show certain districts and states providing a disproportionate number of cadets/mids, and some common sense.

Second, It’s likely to be competitive if you live near a military installation or government center or an area with strong martial tradition. Think Northern Virginia, much of Georgia and Texas, North Carolina, Maryland, upstate New York, and so forth. Think also of large suburban areas and the largest states, which have the same number of senators as the smallest states.

Third, none of this really matters to your individual application because, short of moving your whole family, there’s nothing you can do about it except to submit your very best application.

Fourth, and perhaps most important: It takes only one person in your district with better credentials to make your district competitive. That’s it! So don’t sweat it and don’t worry about what you can’t control.
 
CkzErz said:
You are wise to look into this for each academy and school that you are looking at. I hadn’t realized that many look only at English and Math. When my son’s ACT arrived and the composite score translated higher than his SAT (driven by his Science score) we were very excited and rushed to send it to his top academies/schools. We hadn’t realized that many only consider the English and Math and so we ended up sending them a lower score than the SAT they already had. We cringe every time we look at the portals.
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Don't try to game the system, you should always submit both the ACT and SAT as it is the highest scores that will be used for evaluation.
 
OldRetSWO said:
Don't try to game the system, you should always submit both the ACT and SAT as it is the highest scores that will be used for evaluation.
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I don’t consider this gaming the system at all. My son took both tests, only one is required. The highest score is used anyway so it really doesn’t matter.
 
CkzErz said:
I don’t consider this gaming the system at all. My son took both tests, only one is required. The highest score is used anyway so it really doesn’t matter.
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Perhaps you failed to consider that among at least some reviewers, seeing multiple tests attempted is a sign of motivation. My former BGO Area Coordinator is one who absolutely considers the number of test attempts to be a measure of candidate motivation/desire.
 
CkzErz said:
I don’t consider this gaming the system at all. My son took both tests, only one is required. The highest score is used anyway so it really doesn’t matter.
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All Service Academies Super-Score (not between SAT and ACT though—they Super-Score the SAT and Super-Score the ACT), so you should always submit all scores. The easiest way is to just enter the Academy as a Score Recipient before you take the test, so you can also take advantage of the free score sends.
 
Aviator25 said:
All Service Academies Super-Score (not between SAT and ACT) though, so you should always submit all scores. The easiest way is to just enter the Academy as a Score Recipient before you take the test, so you can also take advantage of the free score sends.
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Actually at least some do superscore between the tests so you could end up with your ACT English paired with your SAT Math as a superscore.
 
OldRetSWO said:
Actually at least some do superscore between the tests so you could end up with your ACT English paired with your SAT Math as a superscore.
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Sorry about that. I stand corrected. I guess the academies may have different policies on this.
 
OldRetSWO said:
Perhaps you failed to consider that among at least some reviewers, seeing multiple tests attempted is a sign of motivation. My former BGO Area Coordinator is one who absolutely considers the number of test attempts to be a measure of candidate motivation/desire.
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He took two SATs and one ACT in a Covid environment where about 9 tests were cancelled on him. He scored well and pretty consistently (as the only tests he could get in were within a tight time frame) so we are good. My main point was that the OP is wise to be aware that not all academies look at the composite ACT. Some only consider English and Math.
 
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Aviator25 said:
All Service Academies Super-Score (not between SAT and ACT though—they Super-Score the SAT and Super-Score the ACT), so you should always submit all scores. The easiest way is to just enter the Academy as a Score Recipient before you take the test, so you can also take advantage of the free score sends.
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Agreed, in many cases. In my son’s specific case, superscoring did not help. The only tests he could get in, due to Covid, were two SATs a week apart and one ACT the following week. As you might expect in such a short timeframe, his scores were pretty consistent. His SAT English was exactly same. His SAT Math improved ten points. He then took an ACT and did even better based on composite score. However, based only on English and Math, he was actually a bit below his SAT.
 
Braves fan said:
I am a class of 26 candidate and recently got a new ACT score of 28 (35 English 28 math 29 reading 25 science). Does USNA and NROTC look at just Math and English? I’ve heard different things from different people on this. I guess my biggest concern here is my science score. Does it matter? Also, is a 28 math high enough? 30 seems to be the magic number and I was just wondering if anyone has gotten accepted with a math of 28. Thanks.
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My DS got into both USNA and USMA with a math score of 27. However, he had a 35 English, 34 reading, 34 science. He also took the SAT. Took each test 3x so keep going...
 
usna1985 said:
USNA only looks at math and English. If you look at recent class profiles, you'll have a decent sense of scores for each entering class. Also keep in mind that a score that may be acceptable for USNA purposes may not be high enough to get an MOC nom -- depends on where you live and the emphasis (if any) the MOC puts on standardized test scores.
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SAT/ACT scores, I'm driving myself crazy, 33 ACT/ 1430 SAT/ 740 EWR /690 math....is this competitive? 96 gpa with three AP'S calc and English and American history, volunteer firefighter, sailing team....
 
Harbormaster238 said:
SAT/ACT scores, I'm driving myself crazy, 33 ACT/ 1430 SAT/ 740 EWR /690 math....is this competitive? 96 gpa with three AP'S calc and English and American history, volunteer firefighter, sailing team....
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Okay, first, stop driving yourself crazy. There are too many factors outside of your control for you to make yourself bonkers this early. Put your best effort into each component of the application.
Your scores look good, what you cannot know is if someone in your district has a 35/1600 etc., with a 4.0 plus. That is out of your control.

If you can improve your candidacy in any way--do so. The intangibles for me are things like MOC interviews, essay, FFR, BGO interviews, how you carry yourself in those events, how you present. What is your plan B and how are you executing that? Do your answers seem authentic or contrived? What is your story and how have you overcome challenges to achieve your goal?

Those things are in your control. Focus on those.
 
OldRetSWO said:
Perhaps you failed to consider that among at least some reviewers, seeing multiple tests attempted is a sign of motivation. My former BGO Area Coordinator is one who absolutely considers the number of test attempts to be a measure of candidate motivation/desire.
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This is ABSOLUTELY TRUE! I was specifically told by one of the Senator's staffers that they were impressed by the work on my ACT reading score while reviewing applications. I took it four times- 24, 24, 28, 35. He said it helped in their decision because I didn't give up after not improving much or at all. Make sure each portion of your application shows thoughtfulness and planning.
 
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