SAT Score vs. Grades?

NDIUSuperfan

5-Year Member
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Nov 26, 2012
Messages
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Once again, greetings to all my fellow SAF folks. For those who don't know, I'm currently a female, sophomore in high school, located in Hicksville, USA ;) for a few years now, I have become very interested in attending USNA, with my career after that unknown.

Some stats for you, I am ranked 3/143 in my class with an 11.7/12.0 GPA. I've taken one AP course so dark and I'll take 2 next year. I play 3 sports: varsity cross country (2 years, 2 letters, one year team captain), JV basketball (2 years), JV softball (2 years, one year captain).

I volunteer as a youth softball coach, volunteer at multiple school sport camps, and volunteer at my church. I participated in a STEM camp this year and will be on the student council for it in its inaugural year, hopefully becoming president, VP, or secretary. I'll work a part time job over the summer as well.

Now, onto the actual reason for my post. In March, I took the SAT for the first time in March. No preparation, no study. I scored an 1800: Verbal- 680, Math- 540, Writing- 580. Obviously, my math score is not great. At all. I plan to study to improve my score over the summer, but I'm worried it won't improve much. I've never been one who can logically think through a new math problem without learning it. I lean on paying close attention in class, getting tutoring from my friend, and studying hard at home to understand what I'm doing. Because of this, I received an A in both semesters of freshman geometry, an A in one semester of Algebra II, and barring disaster, I should get an A+ this semester.

My question is, which do the academies value more? Obviously a high SAT score is crucial, but will they recognize the fact that I've done well in high school math classes as well? Or does a high SAT math score carry more weight than an A/A+ in your high school course? For what it's worth, I go to the second best school in a very large school district. While we're a relatively small school surrounded by fields, we graduate a surprising number of engineers and doctors.

Well it's been a long enough post. Thank you for any insight!
 
ACT and SAT count more because they are standardized tests that can be used to compare very candidate equally.
 
If you study hard you can get a good score. My sophomore year I did worse than you and my junior year I got above a 210 on the PSAT. Math is probably the easiest section to improve in also. You simply have to learn the concepts that can show up on the test(there really aren't that many). Learn every single math concept that could possibly show up on the SAT, that way the only possible math questions you can miss are off careless mistakes. Try the ACT too, most people find it easier.
 
I would argue the fact that grades and test scores go hand and hand. Admissions would probably red flag an application with low test scores and high grades or vice versa. There should be a direct relationship between the two. I would assume they weigh the SAT/ACT (a little) more heavily as they put everyone on a level playing field. They use the test(s) to predict success in college. Admissions tries to admit people they feel are capable with dealing with the academic load at USNA. Keep in mind, grades and test scores are only a portion of your application. Good luck and keep up the good work!
 
Thank you for the advice everyone! I signed up to take the ACT June 13th, so I'm hoping it yields better results than the SAT did. Does anyone have any advice for taking the ACT? I'm the first one in my family/class to take it, so outside of Google I don't have a great idea of what to expect.
 
Thank you for the advice everyone! I signed up to take the ACT June 13th, so I'm hoping it yields better results than the SAT did. Does anyone have any advice for taking the ACT? I'm the first one in my family/class to take it, so outside of Google I don't have a great idea of what to expect.
Get a book called The Real ACT Prep Guide it has several(5 I think) real ACT tests that have been released.
 
ACT and SAT count more because they are standardized tests that can be used to compare very candidate equally.

Hmm. That's a pretty definitive statement. It may also be true, but I would only add that I have never heard that in any of the BGO trainings that I have attended. The examiners who prepare packets for review by the Board spend a lot of time converting disparate systems for assessing GPA into a common scale, taking into account strength of curriculum, class rank, etc.

I'm not saying that the idea that SATs "count more" isn't true, but I have never heard that stated definitively by the Candidate Guidance Office.
 
SuddenSam, GPA into a common scale, taking into account strength of curriculum, class rank, etc.
You are probably right but how do you compare each and very high school in the nation?
My guess would be with a standardized test. Maybe at your next meeting with admissions you could ask and get a definitive answer for the board.
Many have written and rehashed this exact question on this site.
All I was trying to do was convey what has been conveyed to me at several meeting with folks from USMA, USAFA and USNA admissions during their forums.
Maybe the best advice would be become the best candidate you can in all areas.
 
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