How do I only send the ACT English and math sections

U

USAFA2018

5-Year Member
Joined
Jul 14, 2013
Messages
38
Hey, My act superstore is a 30 (35 English, 31 math, 27 reading, 27 science, 31 writing) and I was just wondering how I only send the English and math sections as these are the only two they need. Why send bad reading and science scores if you don't have to? It will only hurt my application, won't it?
 
You have to send the whole ACT result for that date. You can not send individual sections. They say you are not penalized and they only look at your best scores.
 
Packer said:
You have to send the whole ACT result for that date. You can not send individual sections. They say you are not penalized and they only look at your best scores.
Click to expand...

I agree with above

take the act again through to raise your math score
 
Yuuuuuuuuup

Ditto...

My son sent his, no issues, besides read a little deeper, we did. Although they do not use the writing. For whatever reason I guess they want that section complete. We went into this a little deeper when my sons B&G told us it had to be done.

You have nice scores, you will be fine.
 
The USNA will want you to have all of your scores sent to them. They will super score only the highest scores from the two sections from the tests. Some candidates will take the test many times to raise their scores. This shows the academy perseverance.
 
Ex.BT.USN said:
Ditto...

You have nice scores, you will be fine.
Click to expand...

I just want to add a dash of an opinion.

Your 35 is in the category: "You have nice scores, you will be fine"
HOWEVER
Your 31 Math is is not in the same category of "You have nice scores, you will be fine" instead it is "You have a decent scores, you may be fine"

do with it what you will but everyone's mileage may vary but... do you want to leave 5 extra ACT math points on the table when that is supposedly the single most weighted item on the admissions matrix?

If you were a personal friend and came to me for advice, I would say, take it over.
 
That 31 Math appears to put you right at the bottom of the top quartile of recent classes which is pretty good. That said if you can do better you should as none of us know who your competition is. You may be at the top in one district but near the bottom in another. Who is your competition?
 
Oh Boy!!

Okay so now I have worry, well not me really but for my kid.

My DS got a 32 in the math, according to the SAT / ACT compare chart the 32 is = to a 740. He has a lot going on in the Fall during the ACT testing season. Should he still push for a higher score.

I now ask because it was my understanding that sitting at or above 30 in math was good.

I understand there are more points on the table but his plate is really full. If he has to push higher then so it shall be but I really need to know if the 32 is a comfortable range.

Advise, guidance, insight, feedback, please. Thank you in advance.
 
I recommend he take it as many times as possible. It can't get worse since they super score. Sitting at 30 or above puts you in a competitive situation but for all of the academies, you aren't competing against all students who attend college but first against your nominating slate and then secondly against all those on the NWL applying to the academy. The academy is a step change more competitive than State U. The higher your math score goes, the better your overall candidate score and the higher your odds of an appointment. With sequestration and budget pressures - expect admission to continue to keep getting more difficult. Taking the ACT/SAT 2 or 3 times usually improves the score. I recommend they get a test prep book (if not done already) and prep for it during the balance of the summer.

DS had a 720 SAT math score (& a 31 or 32 on ACT), and was QNS at USNA for CO2017.

BTW, he could quit once they had 36's on all the pertinent portions. :)
 
Last edited:
Just like packer said, a lot depends on where you live. In some places, a 32 would be near the top of all applicants. In others, there could be 20+ people applying with higher math scores than that. If you lived in a place like Mississippi or Idaho or Rhode Island, where either a) the total pool of applicants is not very competitive or b) there are not many service academy applicants to begin with, then a 32 probably wouldn't be anything to worry about. However, if you live in a place like NoVa or Texas or near a major metropolitan area where there is a lot of people or a large military presence then I would say try to bring the 32 up.

All of this aside, even if you live in the middle of nowhere it wouldn't hurt to try to take the ACT again if you are financially capable. If you somehow dont win your MOC's vacancy, you would need really good scores to be competitive for a spot off the NWL
 
Good Feedback

Thank you this helps alot... Give the areas we are in not in an area where you have many candidates. That said I'll talk to my DS tonight. I will sign him up for the ACT either way. If he has the time he can bang it out if not ahhh it's only a few bucks lost.
 
The situation is this: selection for appointments is a very competitive process complicated by the fact that there are so many variables in play, therefore if there is a reasonable chance that a candidate can improve any score or variable, it is in the candidate's best interest to at least attempt to do so. It is easy to get lulled into resting on oars by a false sense of having a lock on the process. In my assigned area there are more than fifty high schools including more than a dozen private prep schools; I have lost track of how many excellent candidates I have had who got beat out by a more motivated, achieving candidate. In my opinion, a candidate should do his/her best to attain the best possible scores so that they aren't as likely to be holding a TWE (aka turndown letter) next spring. Everything is considered and there are some items that cannot be improved at this point, so it is important to maximize that which can be improved. Candidly it is frustrating to see candidates try to finesse SAT/ACT scores, any other aspect of their packets that may have made the difference in what they will be doing next July. Best wishes to all, but it is your opportunity on the line.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top