Greeneye22

From Europe to West Point (I hope)
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Feb 7, 2021
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Hi guys I have one question about the academic scores: I have a 3.92 GPA, but I'm not that good on the SAT, I am Dyscalculic and on Math I have a 60% accuracy, 70% Essay, 80/90% Reading. I'm working hard 6 days a week to improve for the SAT and I improved in math from a 50% to 60% but dyscalculia makes it much harder, plus English is not my native language but I'm doing good in the Essay and Reading. What do you suggested to Improve? I will take the SAT in 3/4 months can I make it? If I score low on the SAT can this ruin my application, even if I have a good GPA and good extracurriculars?
 
Hi guys I have one question about the academic scores: I have a 3.92 GPA, but I'm not that good on the SAT, I am Dyscalculic and on Math I have a 60% accuracy, 70% Essay, 80/90% Reading. I'm working hard 6 days a week to improve for the SAT and I improved in math from a 50% to 60% but dyscalculia makes it much harder, plus English is not my native language but I'm doing good in the Essay and Reading. What do you suggested to Improve? I will take the SAT in 3/4 months can I make it? If I score low on the SAT can this ruin my application, even if I have a good GPA and good extracurriculars?
Can you get additional time or have a proctor read to you? I know at my son’s school they had special circumstances for students like this.

Have someone proficient in English proof all of your essays and submissions - there are things like well and good, for instance, that someone in your position might overlook or not know.
 
You need to take a practice test first before we can give you any solid advice tailored to your specific needs. For now what I can tell you is --

Ways to improve SAT Math:
The SAT Math holds the highest weight on your WCS (Whole Candidate Score). By acing the math, you are setting yourself up for success! Don't buy into the idea that you have to be "smart" or "gifted" to do well, I did perfectly fine and I am not really that smart tbh. Furthermore, don't let frustration impede your success, every time you miss a question is another opportunity to improve your overall math skills. Take this always improving mindset into your practice and you will 100% succeed.

Calculator:
Ti-Nspire CX II CAS. Learn it, it is the most pay-to-win thing I have ever seen. If you are dead serious about getting into an SA, learn this calculator inside and out and the calculator section will be a breeze. (still practice though!!)

SAT Math Sections (in general):
- Use Khan Academy
- Use Khan Academy
- Use Khan Academy
- Khan Academy is a free resource that helped me get from a 620 M to a 750 M in 3 weeks, their math program has been proven to be effective in raising scores significantly. Make sure you practice every day to prepare and make sure you specifically focus on SAT math strategies.
- Math teachers are a good source of support, furthermore, you can build your rapport with whomever will fill out your SOE for Math by attending tutoring sessions.
- College Panda, didn't really try this but I heard it can help a lot with specifically tricky questions.

Non-calculator:
There are a lot of skills that go into this section. I would recommend time-management be one of the focal points of your practice. Obviously you should not rush it, but you must be very quick in order to have time to go back and check your answers. What helped me was doing timed drills, giving myself only 1 minute to answer 2-4 questions that I found online. The non-calculator section is a test of your quick mental math and quick thinking skills. Let yourself shine and practice as if you don't have all of the time in the world, the math is not really that hard on this section. Set goals for yourself when doing it as well, look to get 95% of the questions right.

Calculator:
There are also many skills that go into this section. I would recommend learning calculator skills as this proficiency can save you valuable minutes. However, you have a lot of time so break down each question to the level that you must. This section has many deceptive questions that you should practice for. Make sure you practice sub-math groups like Statistics and Scientific math, as this will allow you to answer questions that may seem difficult for someone who does not have this practice. All in all, apply the same mindset as mentioned before for the non-calculator.

Ways to improve SAT English sections:

Reading:
Read more. Read more. Read more. The more you critically think about WHY an author/writer makes a creative choice the easier this section will get. Think about deeper meanings, but don't forget to use the literal text! Again Khan Academy is a very useful source for this information. I know you have dyslexia, but you still need to push yourself to perform at a higher level. At the end of the day, no one cares about your condition. Don't use that as an excuse to be content with a worse performance. Use your dyslexia to fuel your passion to get better, to show people who doubt you that you can overcome anything sent at you. Also, write about this in your essays, talk about how your dyslexia has pushed you farther in everything that you do.

Writing:
Write a lot. Sonnets, essays, plays, whatever it is, tighten your grip on the English language like a vice. Make sure you understand grammar rules inside and out, make sure that if someone were to hold a gun to your head while asking you about Oxford commas you could appropriately reply that it doesn't matter which version you use. Again, Khan Academy is an excellent source for material regarding learning and developing your English skills.

As to answer your questions, having a bad SAT score will certainly destroy your application. USMA is looking for a warrior-scholar, someone who proves themselves athletically and academically. Show West Point that you are that person and you will succeed.
 
Can you get additional time or have a proctor read to you? I know at my son’s school they had special circumstances for students like this.

Have someone proficient in English proof all of your essays and submissions - there are things like well and good, for instance, that someone in your position might overlook or not know.
The OP should check with admissions if they’ll take scores from a test where students were granted extra time based on special circumstances. I think I remember reading elsewhere that it has to be the standard test with no concessions for special needs but could be off the mark
 
Just bringing this up too....and also check if this is an auto DQ for DoDMERB. I think academic learning issues is still on page 20, but again, research it yourself first, and go straight to the source, Mr. Larry Mullen in the DoDMERB thread.
 
Can you get additional time or have a proctor read to you? I know at my son’s school they had special circumstances for students like this.

Have someone proficient in English proof all of your essays and submissions - there are things like well and good, for instance, that someone in your position might overlook or not know.
(For the SAT I requested more time, the use of the calculator and the use of a PC for the Essay) I live in Europe where there's a different situation, I get help at school ex: calculator and tables, I have no problem reading or understanding English, and I have no problem with statistics or "money-real life related" problems where I have a 85% accuracy. My big problems are quadratic equations, rational expressions or proportions, in general every problem with complicated rules and not just logical solutions. Before Covid I had a tutor that helped me, but now I'm on my own, this hasn't stop me though, I'm using Khan Academy to improve but I can't get my head around those complicated rules. Due to my dyslexia I make some grammar mistakes when I write (both in my Native Language and in English) but I'm constantly reducing them to a near 0. I lived in the UK for many years so I'm currently ranked as a C1 and speak fluently, but I rarely make grammar mistakes.
 
You need to take a practice test first before we can give you any solid advice tailored to your specific needs. For now what I can tell you is --

Ways to improve SAT Math:
The SAT Math holds the highest weight on your WCS (Whole Candidate Score). By acing the math, you are setting yourself up for success! Don't buy into the idea that you have to be "smart" or "gifted" to do well, I did perfectly fine and I am not really that smart tbh. Furthermore, don't let frustration impede your success, every time you miss a question is another opportunity to improve your overall math skills. Take this always improving mindset into your practice and you will 100% succeed.

Calculator:
Ti-Nspire CX II CAS. Learn it, it is the most pay-to-win thing I have ever seen. If you are dead serious about getting into an SA, learn this calculator inside and out and the calculator section will be a breeze. (still practice though!!)

SAT Math Sections (in general):
- Use Khan Academy
- Use Khan Academy
- Use Khan Academy
- Khan Academy is a free resource that helped me get from a 620 M to a 750 M in 3 weeks, their math program has been proven to be effective in raising scores significantly. Make sure you practice every day to prepare and make sure you specifically focus on SAT math strategies.
- Math teachers are a good source of support, furthermore, you can build your rapport with whomever will fill out your SOE for Math by attending tutoring sessions.
- College Panda, didn't really try this but I heard it can help a lot with specifically tricky questions.

Non-calculator:
There are a lot of skills that go into this section. I would recommend time-management be one of the focal points of your practice. Obviously you should not rush it, but you must be very quick in order to have time to go back and check your answers. What helped me was doing timed drills, giving myself only 1 minute to answer 2-4 questions that I found online. The non-calculator section is a test of your quick mental math and quick thinking skills. Let yourself shine and practice as if you don't have all of the time in the world, the math is not really that hard on this section. Set goals for yourself when doing it as well, look to get 95% of the questions right.

Calculator:
There are also many skills that go into this section. I would recommend learning calculator skills as this proficiency can save you valuable minutes. However, you have a lot of time so break down each question to the level that you must. This section has many deceptive questions that you should practice for. Make sure you practice sub-math groups like Statistics and Scientific math, as this will allow you to answer questions that may seem difficult for someone who does not have this practice. All in all, apply the same mindset as mentioned before for the non-calculator.

Ways to improve SAT English sections:

Reading:
Read more. Read more. Read more. The more you critically think about WHY an author/writer makes a creative choice the easier this section will get. Think about deeper meanings, but don't forget to use the literal text! Again Khan Academy is a very useful source for this information. I know you have dyslexia, but you still need to push yourself to perform at a higher level. At the end of the day, no one cares about your condition. Don't use that as an excuse to be content with a worse performance. Use your dyslexia to fuel your passion to get better, to show people who doubt you that you can overcome anything sent at you. Also, write about this in your essays, talk about how your dyslexia has pushed you farther in everything that you do.

Writing:
Write a lot. Sonnets, essays, plays, whatever it is, tighten your grip on the English language like a vice. Make sure you understand grammar rules inside and out, make sure that if someone were to hold a gun to your head while asking you about Oxford commas you could appropriately reply that it doesn't matter which version you use. Again, Khan Academy is an excellent source for material regarding learning and developing your English skills.

As to answer your questions, having a bad SAT score will certainly destroy your application. USMA is looking for a warrior-scholar, someone who proves themselves athletically and academically. Show West Point that you are that person and you will succeed.
Thank you very much for your detailed answer, I will inform myself about those techniques and start to use them. I will never allow odds to stop me from improving and get as prepared as possible for the SAT, and eventually get in to USMA.

I live Europe where there's a different situation, I get help at school ex: calculator and tables, I have no problem reading or understanding English, and I have no problem with statistics or "money-real life related" problems where I have a 85% accuracy. My big problems are quadratic equations, rational expressions or proportions, in general every problem with complicated rules and not just logical solutions. Before Covid I had a tutor that helped me, but now I'm on my own, this hasn't stop me though, I'm using Khan Academy to improve but I can't get my head around those complicated rules. Due to my dyslexia I make some grammar mistakes when I write (both in my Native Language and in English) but I'm constantly reducing them to a near 0. I lived in the UK for many years so I'm currently ranked as a C1 and speak fluently, but I rarely make grammar mistakes. Thankfully my dyslexia is limited to complicated math and rare grammar mistakes, and is compensated in other aspects
 
The OP should check with admissions if they’ll take scores from a test where students were granted extra time based on special circumstances. I think I remember reading elsewhere that it has to be the standard test with no concessions for special needs but could be off the mark
Thankfully collegeboard doesn't share this information, it will only share the scores.
 
This is a serious matter that SA needs to know about.
I know, I would like to inform the about my condition, who I should contact?
I need little to no accommodation but as you said is a serious matter, being honest is a matter of morality for me so if you can give me any contact information I would be thankful.
 
Inform them*
I know, I would like to inform the about my condition, who I should contact?
I need little to no accommodation but as you said is a serious matter, being honest is a matter of morality for me so if you can give me any contact information I would be thankful.
 
Thankfully collegeboard doesn't share this information, it will only share the scores.
I know, I would like to inform the about my condition, who I should contact?
I need little to no accommodation but as you said is a serious matter, being honest is a matter of morality for me so if you can give me any contact information I would be thankful.
In one post you are thankful that College Board does not share your accommodations with the SAs and in the next post you are talking about morality. So, which one is it? Morality and honesty are not traits of convenience. You either have them or you don't.
 
In one post you are thankful that College Board does not share your accommodations with the SAs and in the next post you are talking about morality. So, which one is it? Morality and honesty are not traits of convenience. You either have them or you don't.
I mean that for privacy is good, but I can't obviously hide something like that and I shouldn't. I want to inform them, but I can't find any contact information for this situations.
 
I mean that for privacy is good, but I can't obviously hide something like that and I shouldn't. I want to inform them, but I can't find any contact information for this situations.
Ok fair enough. I suggest you review the DodMERB forum and make contact with Mr. Mullen. These types of situations are usually handled during the DoDMERB process. Good luck.

There is a sticky at the top of the page that will give you the instructions.
 
Ok fair enough. I suggest you review the DodMERB forum and make contact with Mr. Mullen. These types of situations are usually handled during the DoDMERB process. Good luck.
Ok, thank you very much
 
The OP should check with admissions if they’ll take scores from a test where students were granted extra time based on special circumstances. I think I remember reading elsewhere that it has to be the standard test with no concessions for special needs but could be off the mark

I believe this is correct for each of the academies, but would have to find it.

I also think that an “IEP” (or something like it) has to be finished a year in advance as well but I would have to find that as well.
 
I believe this is correct for each of the academies, but would have to find it.

I also think that an “IEP” (or something like it) has to be finished a year in advance as well but I would have to find that as well.
Thanks for the clarification, I thought the IEP was part of the DoDMERB questionnaire. Thanks
 
Thanks for the clarification, I thought the IEP was part of the DoDMERB questionnaire. Thanks

I think you may be right about it being part of DoDMERB as well, but I am thinking it is a “one year out” thing as far as when it needs to be finished.
 
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