SAT composite and ACT essay

1

123489

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Nov 29, 2016
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I did much better on my SAT composite than my ACT composite but struggled on the SAT essay. I was wondering if the academy would look at my SAT composite score but my ACT essay instead of the SAT essay?
 
Send everything. Super scoring works in your favor. You don't have to pick your strongest test or your strongest test date.
 
123489 said:
I did much better on my SAT composite than my ACT composite but struggled on the SAT essay. I was wondering if the academy would look at my SAT composite score but my ACT essay instead of the SAT essay?
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Good question for your RC. USMA super scores the better of the two tests, SAT/ACT, but does not mix scores from both tests. Possible that the essay is an exception - ask your RC. But it never hurts to take the test again.
 
Unfortunately, no they will not. I have spoken to USMA numerous amounts of times in regards to this circumstance for myself - they will look at the best superscore of ONE test and will not mix the two. If they decide that your best test is your SAT, they will look at that superscore in total. If they decide that your best test is your ACT, they will look at that.

As a matter of fact, if I were you, I would not send your ACT composite. I have a friend who did not receive an appointment last year due to the fact that USMA reviewed his ACT as his 'best test' because his essay was so good, however his SAT held better math and English scores. I say choose your best test and stick with that, however it's up to you.
 
WOAHHHHH, since when do they not superstore the two tests? I have heard that numerous times.
 
How much does the essay count? I wouldn't think that it would be too much of a factor compared to math and english.
 
USMA does definitely superscore but what I believe GoNavyPlebe stated is that they do not superscore across the two different type of tests. They superscore within all SAT and within all ACT tests.
 
DS did very well on SAT essay [1] and not good at all on 2 ACT essay tries. Made no sense until I found out later that ACT essay score is VERY dependent on the structure / format of the essay and not as much on the content.

Bone up on the ACT rules for essay format - apparently this is instrumental in getting a good score.
 
Just curious what you all consider a 'good essay score'? Our current USMA Cadet got a 10 on his essay, didn't know where he was with that comparatively?
 
Dadx4 said:
How much does the essay count? I wouldn't think that it would be too much of a factor compared to math and english.
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Based on my Plebe's experience, it counts at USMA. Maybe not so much at USNA or others, but USMA would appear to look at the essay score just as much as other ACT/SAT components. My Plebe had solid scores for math, english, reading, science but so so for the essay. He figured the mandatory essay was just a "check that box" type of thing and secondary to the other test indicators. This was the wrong way to look at it. In a discussion with his RC at one point late in the process, it was mentioned that the English dept would need to look over his package as his essay score of 8 was nearly "at risk." (In the end his high scores in english and reading overcame any of those concerns apparently). Although it was a happy ending with admission, it was a good lesson to not assume anything about any component of the admissions process.
 
milfam4 said:
Just curious what you all consider a 'good essay score'? Our current USMA Cadet got a 10 on his essay, didn't know where he was with that comparatively?
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I received a 13/24 on my SAT essay which resulted in an email saying I will undergo a risk review (what jebdad mentioned above) if I don't improve my score.
 
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