(Me again) Standardized Testing Problems

[Tigerplane77]

https://www.serviceacademyforums.co...t-score-worrying-new.56742/page-2#post-563835
Application update: During this school year I recently won a spot on Student Council Leadership Board and became the Vice-President and one of the founding members of the Mu Alpha Theta Chapter at my school(Math club). I also became a captain of the Quiz Bowl team. In addition, I started working on the production team at church (more volunteer hours). Currently a Junior, time is ticking down very fast for me while having football practice every day and a 4 AP/DE courses homework (that I finish around 11:00 pm). I then I try to study Act/Sat till around 12:30. I recently took the SAT for the first time and received 1160 (57o verbal and 590 math). A week or two later took the ACT and got the same score 22. Confused because my father wants me to take ACT over again feeling I didn't do my best, granted I was very sick throughout the test. I have time management problems mostly though. But at the same time, I feel like I have a lot of room to improve and improving would be easier on the SAT. I need to get competitive scores ASAP so I can apply for the Air Force Academy Summer Seminar and be accepted. I recently went to service academy day at the State U, I found out that the average percentage of people in my state that get into the Air Force Academy is around 25%.
Questions:
1.Ways to improve time management? (I already deleted most social media from my phone and stopped hanging out as much with friends)
2. What test should I take and study on?
3.Is my state not very competitive or average when it comes to the Air Force Academy?
3.Any other miscellaneous tips on my application?

 

[sci-fi girl]

First off, breathe.

Depending on what time you wake up getting more sleep will make you more alert, thus more productive, and save you time by being more efficient. Additionally, don't try to do everything at once. Focus on one task at a time and break it down. For studying/ homework doing it all in one big chunk isn't the best for you. There have been studies that show getting up and moving/stretching at least once every 20-30 minutes will improve your concentration and help you.

Don't try to do everything. Being a jack of all trades is fine, but it is better if you are great at fewer things.

I would focus on improving whichever test you felt was easier. The SAT is meant to test you on your capabilities to learn and succeed in college. The ACT is meant to test you on things you should have learned in high school. How you perform on each test is related to the way you learn and how good you are at test taking. So, whichever test you considered easier, not that either of them is easy, practice for and re-take that one.

You've probably already heard these, but turn everything in as soon as possible. Make sure you have a backup plan, as much as everyone is working to be accepted there is a large percentage that won't. You don't want to be left with nothing to do for a year before you can re-apply. If you don't get in work on what you were told was your weak spots and carry on. Relax, you won't do yourself any good having a mental breakdown or stressing yourself out. If you don't get in it isn't the end of the world and there are other ways to serve your country.

 

[Wishful]

First off, breathe.

Depending on what time you wake up getting more sleep will make you more alert, thus more productive, and save you time by being more efficient. Additionally, don't try to do everything at once. Focus on one task at a time and break it down. For studying/ homework doing it all in one big chunk isn't the best for you. There have been studies that show getting up and moving/stretching at least once every 20-30 minutes will improve your concentration and help you.

Don't try to do everything. Being a jack of all trades is fine, but it is better if you are great at fewer things.

I would focus on improving whichever test you felt was easier. The SAT is meant to test you on your capabilities to learn and succeed in college. The ACT is meant to test you on things you should have learned in high school. How you perform on each test is related to the way you learn and how good you are at test taking. So, whichever test you considered easier, not that either of them is easy, practice for and re-take that one.

You've probably already heard these, but turn everything in as soon as possible. Make sure you have a backup plan, as much as everyone is working to be accepted there is a large percentage that won't. You don't want to be left with nothing to do for a year before you can re-apply. If you don't get in work on what you were told was your weak spots and carry on. Relax, you won't do yourself any good having a mental breakdown or stressing yourself out. If you don't get in it isn't the end of the world and there are other ways to serve your country.

Agree with all of the above. Would second by stating taking as many practice exams of the standardized test you feel you can do the best in. Don't worry about SS, plenty of cadets at USAFA who didn't attend it. The focus is improving academics/test scores. I took your time management reference to be in relation to taking tests, that's where practicing previous exams will help. Google test taking tips for more info, if needed. My favorite is to have a watch on the desk. Good luck!

 

[time2]

3.Is my state not very competitive or average when it comes to the Air Force Academy?

This gets asked a lot on here. The SAME criteria for being 3Q is applied nationwide by the SA. Your state competitiveness is only relevant to getting a NOM. And the reality is you don't know who else/how many are applying this year, so from a practical standpoint this isn't anything you can change. Better to focus on the things you can control.