How Important are SAT/ACT scores? And How Do I Study In Order To Improve

I

ittybittyfalcon

New Member
Joined
Mar 15, 2021
Messages
9
Hi! I am very new to this forum, as I am a class of 2026 hopeful, so I apologize if there is already a thread on this subject. I have a question regarding my SAT and ACT scores. I have taken the SAT twice and I am about to take the ACT again next month. I feel like I have done my best and scored pretty well, however now that I am looking through this forum and seeing everyone else's scores, I am not so sure anymore. I am above the minimum scores, but not by much. So, how important are these scores? What is the range of scores I should shoot for? And, how/what do I study, especially for the ACT, to get higher scores?
 
I got a 27 on the ACT, which is only a couple points above the minimum for USAFA, and I'm going to take the SAT in a few months. I'll include a link from the Academy website which shows the average scores of people who were offered an appointment, which also includes average CFA scores. Best way I can say to study for the ACT is to take a TON of practice tests. Learning how to take the test, as well as getting used to what's on it, is just as important as having the knowledge to answer the questions. Same thing with the SAT. Khan Academy has a ton of resources for you to study from. Best of luck!
www.academyadmissions.com

Admission Facts & Figures | U.S. Air Force Academy

Air Force Academy qualifications for applicants include academics, athletics, extracurricular activities, leadership positions and overall character.
www.academyadmissions.com www.academyadmissions.com
 
usafacellist2026 said:
I got a 27 on the ACT, which is only a couple points above the minimum for USAFA, and I'm going to take the SAT in a few months. I'll include a link from the Academy website which shows the average scores of people who were offered an appointment, which also includes average CFA scores. Best way I can say to study for the ACT is to take a TON of practice tests. Learning how to take the test, as well as getting used to what's on it, is just as important as having the knowledge to answer the questions. Same thing with the SAT. Khan Academy has a ton of resources for you to study from. Best of luck!
www.academyadmissions.com

Admission Facts & Figures | U.S. Air Force Academy

Air Force Academy qualifications for applicants include academics, athletics, extracurricular activities, leadership positions and overall character.
www.academyadmissions.com www.academyadmissions.com
Click to expand...
Thank you so much for the link! I have scoured that website, but somehow missed that page! I will definitely take your advice. Thank you for the encouragement!
 
ittybittyfalcon said:
Thank you so much for the link! I have scoured that website, but somehow missed that page! I will definitely take your advice. Thank you for the encouragement!
Click to expand...
Of course! I don't quite remember how I came across that page haha. Let me know if you have any more questions, we can figure them out!
 
If you are only a few points above minimum then you will not be competitive. The reality is that standardized test scores are the”gatekeeper” for advancing in the competition for an appointment. With low scores you will need some outstanding item to balance out those scores to have a chance at an appointment. Focus on improving those scores above all else. There are a lot of resources available to improve scores and if you read through the forums and you can learn about them.

Stealth_81
 
Stealth_81 said:
If you are only a few points above minimum then you will not be competitive. The reality is that standardized test scores are the”gatekeeper” for advancing in the competition for an appointment. With low scores you will need some outstanding item to balance out those scores to have a chance at an appointment. Focus on improving those scores above all else. There are a lot of resources available to improve scores and if you read through the forums and you can learn about them.

Stealth_81
Click to expand...
Hi, Apologies for hijacking the original post. My high school junior is retaking the ACT after scoring a 31 on his first attempt. He also has a very challenging course load with a 4.9 GPA. He‘s in the National Honor Society and won several academic competition awards. He’s also an Eagle Scout and will be attending his second High Adventure Camp this summer that includes 75 miles of rowing plus hiking. We live in an urban area that has been shut down for over a year and our school district doesn‘t have a varied sports program. That’s limited his opportunities for activities and a part-time job. He has a very competitive nature, but is also a very humble and good-hearted kid who wants to be a military doctor. He knows he needs to work toward a very high CFA. Is he still competitive even without a sports record? I’m a mother worried that he’s setting himself up for disappointment. Thank you
 
teachermom2832 said:
Hi, Apologies for hijacking the original post. My high school junior is retaking the ACT after scoring a 31 on his first attempt. He also has a very challenging course load with a 4.9 GPA. He‘s in the National Honor Society and won several academic competition awards. He’s also an Eagle Scout and will be attending his second High Adventure Camp this summer that includes 75 miles of rowing plus hiking. We live in an urban area that has been shut down for over a year and our school district doesn‘t have a varied sports program. That’s limited his opportunities for activities and a part-time job. He has a very competitive nature, but is also a very humble and good-hearted kid who wants to be a military doctor. He knows he needs to work toward a very high CFA. Is he still competitive even without a sports record? I’m a mother worried that he’s setting himself up for disappointment. Thank you
Click to expand...
Yes, he should be. I received an appointment earlier this week and I did not do any varsity athletics in high school. My recommendation to him would be to include all athletic activities that he did on the Application Resume (recreational sports or middle school sports). It probably won't add anything to the Candidate Score, but it at least demonstrates that the candidate has an interest in athletics, as everyone is required to do a sport at USAFA.
 
Last edited:
Get your scores way, way up there, study for it and take it as many times as possible. Not sure about USAFA, but a 26 ACT and 1280 on the SAT were the straw that broke the poor camel's back at WP. DS had a very strong application (3Q on NWL, 2 noms, 3.897/4.0, leadership and sports galore) except for his middle of the road test scores and he got a TWE from USMA. Sadly they mean a lot, especially when you don't win your slate. USNA still pending, but expecting the same there. AROTC 4 year scholarship is Plan C which he can live with but the SAs were the dream! All because of some multiple choice test! Good enough, is not good enough.
 
Aviator25 said:
For those who are taking the SAT, I would recommend the "SAT Prep Black Book: The Most Effective SAT Strategies Ever Published" by Mike Barrett. There are a lot of SAT Prep resources out there, but I would recommend this book. It's simple and effective and it worked very well for me.
Click to expand...
I agree, very helpful book!! And same goes for the ACT version. Other favorite resources for ACT that were game-changers: For the Love of ACT Science By Michael Cerro, Erika Metzler Reading and English books, and College Panda for Math. Best of luck all!
 
Aviator25 said:
Yes, he should be. I received an appointment earlier this week and I did not do any varsity athletics in high school. My recommendation to him would be to include all athletic activities that he did on the Application Resume (recreational sports or middle school sports). It probably won't add anything to the Candidate Score, but it at least demonstrates that the candidate has an interest in athletics, since everyone is required to do a sport at USAFA.
Click to expand...
Thank you and congratulation!!
 
teachermom2832 said:
Hi, Apologies for hijacking the original post. My high school junior is retaking the ACT after scoring a 31 on his first attempt. He also has a very challenging course load with a 4.9 GPA. He‘s in the National Honor Society and won several academic competition awards. He’s also an Eagle Scout and will be attending his second High Adventure Camp this summer that includes 75 miles of rowing plus hiking. We live in an urban area that has been shut down for over a year and our school district doesn‘t have a varied sports program. That’s limited his opportunities for activities and a part-time job. He has a very competitive nature, but is also a very humble and good-hearted kid who wants to be a military doctor. He knows he needs to work toward a very high CFA. Is he still competitive even without a sports record? I’m a mother worried that he’s setting himself up for disappointment. Thank you
Click to expand...

Sports are important. They are probably third in importance in my mind after standardized test scores and academic performance (Class rank and GPA). If I were interviewing your son I would ask why he didn’t do any sports. Just because the program isn’t varied is not going to cut it for an answer. Potentially his High Adventure would fill some of it, but that is not a long-term involvement activity like a sport over years. The reason sports are important is not just the fitness aspect. It is dedication, being coachable, and self-motivated.

This seeems like a good thread for my yearly (it seems like) discussion when people ask these things. So, here goes.

There is a perception that if a person gets things checked off a list, then they will get an appointment. As if the Academy is looking for someone who can check off these 8 items so therefore they will be a good leader. That is thinking backwards. The Academy wants people who would have checked off those things whether they were going to an academy or not. They want the people who are involved in athletics, student government, Boys State, academic clubs, mentoring programs, academic honor societies, etc. because that’s what they are already. Not because they joined or checked the box to tidy up their application for USAFA. That is why the ALO interview holds so much sway. They can deduce whether this person is the one who did things because they wanted to and not just to check a box. The Academy knows when they have the right candidates whether they fit the perfect mold or not. That is why you will sometimes see a person with slightly lesser “paper” stats get an appointment over the higher candidate. Being a leader is not who you are on paper, it is who you are in real life.

I will hold my son up as an example because most of you don’t know him since it’s been so long. He had every stat that USAFA was looking for before he even decided to apply. It was our relatives who were Academy grads who actually approached him and said that he was exactly what they were looking for in applicants. So he applied and the rest is history.

There. I feel better now. Let me know if you have more questions.

Stealth_81
 
FrauTeufelshund said:
Get your scores way, way up there, study for it and take it as many times as possible. Not sure about USAFA, but a 26 ACT and 1280 on the SAT were the straw that broke the poor camel's back at WP. DS had a very strong application (3Q on NWL, 2 noms, 3.897/4.0, leadership and sports galore) except for his middle of the road test scores and he got a TWE from USMA. Sadly they mean a lot, especially when you don't win your slate. USNA still pending, but expecting the same there. AROTC 4 year scholarship is Plan C which he can live with but the SAs were the dream! All because of some multiple choice test! Good enough, is not good enough.
Click to expand...
So true, all because of one multiple-choice test. I only had one chance to take it last year in my area and it was canceled from March through February for me. Did not do the best on the first test, but everything else is perfect. Plan B is in place, but either way, I will be coming back if I don't get an appointment. My definite purpose is to attend USAFA and I will not be denied!! :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top