SAT and/or ACT?

[Patriot2119]

I first took the ACT and SAT as a Freshman in highschool, and scored very poorly on both (20, and ~1000 math+reading). I retook the SAT a few more times, and ended up with a 1300 math+reading. However, I never ended up retaking the ACT, so my score is still a 20... Needless to say, this isn't even close to competitive for the Academy.

My question is, does the Academy take the better of the two? And will that 20 hurt my chances at all?

 

[frenzymando]

They will take the better of the 2 and you don't even have to send the 20 to USAFA. Most colleges don't require you to send the scores from every SAT/ACT that you have taken, here is a list of them that do: http://blog.prepscholar.com/colleges-requiring-all-sat-scores-complete-list

Also, USAFA superscores. That means if you take the SAT once and get 700 math and 710 CR, and then take it again and get 670 math and 800 CR they will take the best scores from each test and make it a 700 math and 800 CR, so that 670 math will be a non-factor. So it helps if you take the SAT/ACT multiple times.

 

[Blueblood1]

USAFA superscores, meaning it takes the best score from any number of tests for each category and uses those. So, for USAFA, take the tests as many times as you need to. Be careful, however, because few schools do that, and some will average or even ding you for taking tests too many times. Carefully research the schools you are considering and determine how the use/weight scores. The best thing to do is take all of the classes you need for all info on the ACT / SAT, take a prep course, do lots of practice tests and go in fully prepared to do the best you can.

 

[Patriot2119]

Okay, thanks guys. I was worried for a bit there...

I'm actually not even sure how USAFA got the scores, because I didn't send them, and they weren't on my transcript.