Question about ACT and SAT scores.

M

madison

5-Year Member
Joined
Nov 26, 2010
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35
Alright so I've taken each test only once so far, and I'm fairly pleased with my ACT score but not my SAT score. The problem is the next test dates are in September and October and I'm not sure if I'd be able to get my scores back in time to send them in with my nominations.

For the ACT I got a 31 composite with subscores: english - 34, math - 34, reading - 30, and science - 27

and for the SAT I got
reading - 560
math - 740
writing - 680

so basically what I'm wondering is should I send the nominations in with these scores or should I retake the tests even if the scores aren't back on time?

oh and also is it possible to send in scores late, like after you've sent in the rest of the forms?

thanks in advance!
 
madison said:
Alright so I've taken each test only once so far, and I'm fairly pleased with my ACT score but not my SAT score. The problem is the next test dates are in September and October and I'm not sure if I'd be able to get my scores back in time to send them in with my nominations.

For the ACT I got a 31 composite with subscores: english - 34, math - 34, reading - 30, and science - 27

and for the SAT I got
reading - 560
math - 740
writing - 680

so basically what I'm wondering is should I send the nominations in with these scores or should I retake the tests even if the scores aren't back on time?

oh and also is it possible to send in scores late, like after you've sent in the rest of the forms?

thanks in advance!
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you definitely need to make getting your nomination package together and sent off before the deadline a #1 priority. your act score is great. if you don't like your sat score, don't send it. i don't know anything about how your senators/congressman choose their nominees because they are all different, but i know usna will look at your highest scores. also, when i look on my candidate portal, i only see my math and english act scores. which leads me to believe that usna cares most about those scores. for you, those scores are your best.

on the other hand, you made such high scores in english and math on your first test which means you probably have a pretty good chance of pulling a 36 in one if not both of those sections. so, get your nomination packets in on time, but think about taking the act over again for your usna application (you can update that i believe).
 
LiveGold15 said:
you definitely need to make getting your nomination package together and sent off before the deadline a #1 priority. your act score is great. if you don't like your sat score, don't send it. i don't know anything about how your senators/congressman choose their nominees because they are all different, but i know usna will look at your highest scores. also, when i look on my candidate portal, i only see my math and english act scores. which leads me to believe that usna cares most about those scores. for you, those scores are your best.

on the other hand, you made such high scores in english and math on your first test which means you probably have a pretty good chance of pulling a 36 in one if not both of those sections. so, get your nomination packets in on time, but think about taking the act over again for your usna application (you can update that i believe).
Click to expand...

A few thoughts:
1. ONLY math and verbal scores are considered. The others receive no attention, carry no weight.
2. High scores for each are taken and may be from different testing dates. However, they will not mix SAT and ACT
3. Suggestion ... when you send your scores to your nominating source, consider sending a generally accepted conversion table. Many MOCs have little or no familiarity with one test or the other. In the East, most have used SAT. In the West, ACT. Today however, increasingly all are seeing both types of scores. ACT's based in Iowa City, SAT Princeton.
4. While many scores increase with increased testing exposures, on any given exam, statistically the taker is about as equally likely to go down as go up. So most often multiple (more than 2) exposures will lend improved outcomes. Plan/schedule accordingly, recognizing the deadline for USNA.
:thumb:
 
Class of 2014 Middle 50th percentile* was Verbal 570-690 and Math 600-710
* 50% of the class achieved SAT scores within the range between the 25th and 75th percentile. Your math scores are in the top 25% of those admitted and your english score is in the bottom 25% of those admitted. You could always submit your ACT only as others have suggested. Retake the SAT and then submit later if you like. However, your SAT math was solid. Every post I've ever read put more importance on Math. Verbal a little low but in the game.
 
Get your application prepared as early as possible. Familiarize yourself with the layout/format of your MOC's application. DS sent original scores and indicated on subsequent tests that scores were to be sent to selected schools and each MOC. Costs a little extra if you are sending scores to several schools as well but well worth not having to beat a deadline at the last minute. Most schools and MOCs want the scores directly from the test source. At least one of the MOC applications asked if DS had plans to retake ACT/SAT and what date. So apparently they had an understanding of the value of multiple attempts. Good luck. :thumb:
 
A word of caution:

While some may chaiffe sp? at this being noted, it is accurate information.

There are really 2 subsets of unpublished data used to create the published data. There are diversity candidates and non-diversity candidates. And the scores, percentiles, means, medians, modes, etc. are significantly different.

So the only point here is it would be an erroneous assumption for either to use these in assessing their own scores against this generalized profile. In other words it assumes there is an "average" Mid. In fact there are at least 2 average Mids and they are not statistically close or congruent matches.

Be careful in attempting to "measure up" ... or down to the generalized profile that literally matches very few Mids. If you saw the modalities you'd see that there is no bell curve. Said another way the USNA now has a 2 humped camel rather than the one-humper that is implied in the scores shared with the public. The problem put simply is that the stats portray the dromedary (is that a 1 humped camel?) but the reality is that the USNA camel is a pachyderm (is that a 2 humped camel?)

And truth be told, unfortunately, the public will never know the distribution of scores relative to the disparate groupings the USNA has determined are important to complying with "the order". THAT would be more useful for candidates attempting to gain a better idea of "chances" or at least if they are competitive.
 
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Absolutely and thanks!

And for FURTHER, more important clarification and correction:

Bactrian = 1 hump

Dromedary = 2 humps

USNA SAT/ACT scores = Dromedary!

And ... now you know THE ANSWER, if you are asked during NASS, BGO interview, or maybe even Plebe summer @ tea time ...

"One hump or 2, scumbag?" :eek::rolleyes::thumb::shake:
 
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