Help me out here

Cadet35

Cadet35

Member
Joined
Jul 11, 2019
Messages
458
I have a 24 ACT and an 1120 SAT. Which should I submit to USAFA? I have to deal with these scores for now and hopefully they will help me get in first attempt. I’m retesting in December one last time, but I’m just curious to if I should submit the ACT- 7 Essay score or the SAT 5/6/4 Essay.
 
raimius said:
Submit all your scores. USAFA only uses the highest score for each topic.
That said, those are not very competitive. You should work to improve them and work to make the rest of you application VERY strong to make up for low test scores.
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I’m taking one more ACT sand SAT possibly. The rest of my application is very strong and I know I am a perfect fit the academy. I take very high AP/Honors classes so it is surpassing to me that getting my score up is a struggle. What is meant to be, will happen though.
 
Take practice tests. Try Khan Academy. SAT/ACT test taking is a skill that can be learned to some degree..
 
As others have said 24 will be unacceptable for an Academy.

However, learning how to take the test can be extremely helpful! I raised my act score to a 33 with a few tutoring sessions. Had been a 26.
 
CGA applicant 2024 said:
As others have said 24 will be unacceptable for an Academy.

However, learning how to take the test can be extremely helpful! I raised my act score to a 33 with a few tutoring sessions. Had been a 26.
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I’ve tried a lot of that. I am going for one more retake on December.
 
This is a very good thread to read as well.
If it doesn't link correctly, it's USAFA "Principal Nominee with TWE"
Post #45 is very good.

Principal Nominee with TWE

Anyone with experience and/or advice? Our son received his non select letter this morning with many others. He had a Principal Nomination from his congressman and the academy sought and granted him a waiver which we thought were all great signs he was moving towards an appointment. After much...
www.serviceacademyforums.com
 
@HCopter very helpful, thank you. Pretty sure DS's Congressional rep doesn't rank, but super helpful knowing that even if they do it isn't always a sure thing. So many variables and unknowns.
 
Some people arent very good with standard testing for some reason. They get great grades but suck on these tests. You will also find the reverse. Crappy gpa but great SAT/ACT scores
 
@Cadet35 Do you have a nomination yet? If not you cannot be appointed until you have a nom. This ties into my next point.

It is not only about USAFA moving you from applicant to candidate or being competitive for an appointment, but also most MoCs will use those scores to determine if you will get a nom.
~ I do not know which state you are from, but in VA the MoCs "spread their wealth", which means they talk and try not to duplicate their slates. Not every MoC interviews, their decisions are made purely from the paperwork that is submitted. You could have great grades, and be stellar on paper, but when an MoC has 300 stellar applicants, with only 10 they can nom., that score is going to be a factor.
~ The MoC staff are briefed by the SAs every summer. They are told how many charges are available, and what stats are competitive for the most recent class. IE... the avg SAT for the class that has just reported was...., X % were Valedictorians, x% were the top 10% of their class, X% were team sport captains, so on and so forth. This allows them to judge what the SA is looking at regarding candidates.
~~ I know this because many moons ago I was interviewed as a GS to work at the Pentagon in the USAFA office. They went through with me how that office worked. Part of their duties are to brief the MoC staff 2x a yr (Jan and July).

I am not trying to be Debbie Downer, but highlight that even if you take those exams again in Dec., if you don't have a nom., than you are facing an uphill battle for an appointment. Most MoCs close their files before Dec. In NC the majority of MoCs have closed their files already for their nominations.

I would hope that you applied for a ROTC scholarship as your plan B. I believe currently with your scores they will not board you until you score even higher. I want to say for AFROTC you need a 25 or 26 to be considered and closer to 1200. Unlike USAFA, they only go by best sitting. The avg ACT for a type 7 (lowest level) is 29. The type 1 and 2 ACT best sitting scores are 31 or so. SATs run high 1200 for type 7 and mid to high 1300 for 1 and 2.
~ This is important, and insight for you. Not every AFROTC scholarship applicant applies to USAFA, but 95% of USAFA applicants do apply for the AFROTC scholarship as plan B. They are your competition.

I wish you the best. Keep studying.
 
Humey said:
Some people arent very good with standard testing for some reason
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Very true.
I am going to take a hunch that @Cadet35 wants to eventually be flying one of those pointy nose jets. (the 35 in their moniker is my hunch)

The old joke was that it is easy to get appointed, harder to stay and commission.
~ The profs at USAFA or any college don't want to hear, I am a bad test taker. Nor do they care. " Either you sink or swim to my level of expectations, or you're gone". Harsh, but that is the reality when you enter college or an SA.
~ SATs and ACTs are national exams. The exams are to prove your academic foundation. You could be Valedictorian at your Timbucktoo HS where 0% go Ivy and get a 28 ACT superscore, but be only the top 15% at Wishuwerehere HS where 50% go Ivy with a 34 ACT. In essence. those exams exist to remove the subjective aspects of teacher grading.

If I am correct and Cadet35 wants a pointy nose jet. than as a parent of a pilot you will agree with me that UPT is not just about flying the stick, it is a lot of standardized tests they take during that yr.

Point being Cadet35, tests like the SAT/ACT will not end for you when you walk across the stage in May/June to receive your HS diploma. You will have to take the AFOQT (sim to the ACT), and the TBAS as a cadet. There is no superscoring. AFOQT is 2 and done. UPT tests, failing is 80 or 85% (I can't recall), but you get the drift.

In essence, if you have test anxiety, than you need to get over it because in the future those national exams will play bigger roles regarding your future. If it is that you don't have the academic foundation, than you need to address that bc as I said even if you get an appointment, those profs at USAFA are not going to slow down the class for you. They will expect you to reach out for tutors to get you up to the pace of the class.
~ USAFA in the ADAF is commonly referred to as the Little Engineering School in the Rockies. Math and Science classes will be a large chunk of your academic life. Look at the required classes.
 
Pima said:
Very true.
I am going to take a hunch that @Cadet35 wants to eventually be flying one of those pointy nose jets. (the 35 in their moniker is my hunch)

The old joke was that it is easy to get appointed, harder to stay and commission.
~ The profs at USAFA or any college don't want to hear, I am a bad test taker. Nor do they care. " Either you sink or swim to my level of expectations, or you're gone". Harsh, but that is the reality when you enter college or an SA.
~ SATs and ACTs are national exams. The exams are to prove your academic foundation. You could be Valedictorian at your Timbucktoo HS where 0% go Ivy and get a 28 ACT superscore, but be only the top 15% at Wishuwerehere HS where 50% go Ivy with a 34 ACT. In essence. those exams exist to remove the subjective aspects of teacher grading.

If I am correct and Cadet35 wants a pointy nose jet. than as a parent of a pilot you will agree with me that UPT is not just about flying the stick, it is a lot of standardized tests they take during that yr.

Point being Cadet35, tests like the SAT/ACT will not end for you when you walk across the stage in May/June to receive your HS diploma. You will have to take the AFOQT (sim to the ACT), and the TBAS as a cadet. There is no superscoring. AFOQT is 2 and done. UPT tests, failing is 80 or 85% (I can't recall), but you get the drift.

In essence, if you have test anxiety, than you need to get over it because in the future those national exams will play bigger roles regarding your future. If it is that you don't have the academic foundation, than you need to address that bc as I said even if you get an appointment, those profs at USAFA are not going to slow down the class for you. They will expect you to reach out for tutors to get you up to the pace of the class.
~ USAFA in the ADAF is commonly referred to as the Little Engineering School in the Rockies. Math and Science classes will be a large chunk of your academic life. Look at the required classes.
Click to expand...
100% correct
 
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