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

ittybittyfalcon said:
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?
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I have four kiddos and three of them have worked through the online Princeton Review SAT/ACT programs (I think any of the competing platforms work just as well). They're not cheap, but doable. They went from the mid-1300s to 1540 and 1500 in nine months. We did not use the premium/platinum online packages. The books will also help you. The bottom line...it comes down to disciplining yourself now. Carpe diem!

The online prep has helped a lot, but they were grinding it out at regular intervals throughout the week. I don't think that cramming is conducive to doing well on the SAT/ACT tests. Steady as she goes is more helpful. A lot of the benefit was understanding the layouts of the tests, the common traps, and then getting lots of reps up against a clock to produce that "stress." Between now and December, you literally could have hundreds and hundreds of reps before the SAT/ACT score deadlines for the SA's for the Class of 2026.

For my older DD (non-military, but 4-year full scholarship winner at U of UTAH) and DS class of 2025 hopeful they worked really, really hard. A strong work ethic and good time management is what has helped them the most and not losing sight of the prize when they were in the homework and test prep trenches (they weren't always behind a computer screen or at their desks and played sports, etc. But they knew they only had so much time for "fun"). Neither is a genius, just diligent and able to say "No" to diversions. Hope this is helpful! Now go for it! No excuses!
 
RailsUSAFAMN said:
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!! :)
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When my ds was struggling with a place to take the CFA, one of his friend's moms was like, I don't care how far someone ______(field ds is interested in) can throw a ball.
Box checking may not be part of learning but it is part of the education game.
 
lipton_hot_tea said:
Go over your wrong answers from a practice exam. If I had to do over, I would tell my ds to order an advanced grammar book becauae those were the questions he missed.
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That is what isn’t taught anymore. My son always had the top grade in English every year. And his skills weren’t what a high school graduate should have had.

To be fair - my son’s writing at USNA has vastly improved. If I could have done it all over again, I’d have enrolled him in a few college English classes.
 
I attended an event yesterday for the SAs... I asked them if the Class of 2026, will be Test-Flexible, they said yes. Due to COVID-19, the process is the same for 2026, as for 2025.
 
MichaelT2022 said:
I attended an event yesterday for the SAs... I asked them if the Class of 2026, will be Test-Flexible, they said yes. Due to COVID-19, the process is the same for 2026, as for 2025.
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What do you mean by test flexible? As in they'll accept PSATs for the PCQ or they'll be more lenient with the overall test score.
 
usafacellist2026 said:
What do you mean by test flexible? As in they'll accept PSATs for the PCQ or they'll be more lenient with the overall test score.
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I would refer you to USNA's decision on Test Flexible. Essentially, SAT/ACT scores are still required, but if your exams have been canceled, they will let you submit proof of such instead.

www.usna.edu

AN UPDATE FROM THE U.S. NAVAL ACADEMY'S OFFICE OF ADMISSIONS

AN UPDATE FROM THE U.S. NAVAL ACADEMY'S OFFICE OF ADMISSIONS page for USNA News Center at USNA.edu. Updated Thu Feb 01 04:19:56 EST 2024.
www.usna.edu
The following correspondence from U.S. Naval Academy Dean of Admissions Bruce Latta has been provided to all Class of 2025 candidates and prospective candidates:
At the United States Naval Academy, we are aware of the barriers caused by COVID-19 and likewise the disruptions for students who plan to apply for admission. Therefore, for students applying for admission to the Class of 2025, the Office of Admissions will follow a “test flexible” policy, and we will review applications with or without standardized test scores. Students who have attempted and have not been able to take college entrance examinations (i.e. SAT or ACT) due to cancellation, unavailability, other extenuating circumstance, or who have taken a test and are seeking an opportunity to retake will not be disqualified from consideration. If you are seeking consideration for admission without college entrance examinations, we will ask you to provide supporting information concerning test availability, cancellation, etc. The USNA Admissions Board remains committed to a process which has proven to be a fair assessment of the “whole student”, where academic rigor, life experiences, unique circumstances, volunteer work, and leadership ability and attributes will continue to be evaluated.
Please note, we are extending our deadline for students to complete their applications from January 31, 2021 to February 28, 2021. Additionally, as you may have read in previous correspondences, we are fully aware that, with schools shifting to virtual learning, many students will have pass/fail grades in their courses on their transcripts for last spring semester and this fall semester. Equally important, many have been unable to participate in both non-athletic and athletic activities. In this case, we are asking students to include those activities that they would have participated in during the spring semester as well as senior year in their application and to make comments as to how COVID-19 has impacted participation. Our Admissions Board is made up of faculty and staff who have many years of experience working with students in a variety of capacities, and who are trained to evaluate student records and demonstrated drive and commitment, even in unprecedented times.
The United States Naval Academy Office of Admissions staff is standing by ready assist you during this admissions cycle.
If you have any general admissions questions feel free to write us at inquire@usna.edu or call 410-293-1858.
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A1Janitor said:
That is what isn’t taught anymore. My son always had the top grade in English every year. And his skills weren’t what a high school graduate should have had.

To be fair - my son’s writing at USNA has vastly improved. If I could have done it all over again, I’d have enrolled him in a few college English classes.
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Thanks to schools using Zoom I'm taking a foreign language class. An issue we have repeatedly is the teacher has to explain the English grammatical terms he uses to identify things in the other language.

He is not only a great instructor but he really cares. One student is in high school student and often after explaining a grammar concept in English (so we can understand what we are learning in the other language) he will call his name and say this is a type of question on the SAT and will give 2 examples.

For the first time in my life I see grammatical terms as representing real concepts and not just words that make my eyes glaze over.
 
Also keep in mind that strong SAT scores can open up lots of doors on Plan Bs. DS is still waiting on USNA decision, but will be going to Plan B for free by increasing his SAT score significantly (through Merit and other scholarships). I have read plenty of others on SAF that also have Ivy League and other strong schools as Plan B, so any prep is a worthwhile investment of your time! Strong SAT, and all the other activities that make him competitive for USNA, made his resume very strong for program scholarships of approximately $16K.
 
ArmySon-NavyFan said:
Also keep in mind that strong SAT scores can open up lots of doors on Plan Bs. DS is still waiting on USNA decision, but will be going to Plan B for free by increasing his SAT score significantly (through Merit and other scholarships). I have read plenty of others on SAF that also have Ivy League and other strong schools as Plan B, so any prep is a worthwhile investment of your time! Strong SAT, and all the other activities that make him competitive for USNA, made his resume very strong for program scholarships of approximately $16K.
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Agreed. Very high scores on the PSAT also make you eligible to be a finalist for the National Merit Scholarship as well; so don't waste that opportunity.
 
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