I see that USNA and NROTC seem to only look at Math and English for ACT. My ACT scores converted to SAT are 10-20 points higher on both Math and English. My Science and Reading scores are lower and really hurt the ACT composite. USNA and NROTC may not specifically use Science and Reading, but I would think it is still visible to the Boards and it may negatively effect the overall impression of being strong in STEM. So, I don't think it is worth sending in my ACT test scores since the bump on Math and English is not significant. Would that be your recommendation for USNA? And would that be the same recommendation for NROTC?
Should ACT scores be sent even with a lower Science score?
- Thread starter skillsjc
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Don’t worry so much. Send them .... USNA is smart enough to figure it all out.
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Don’t worry so much. Send them .... USNA is smart enough to figure it all out.
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I’m not quite following well I don’t think I’m but that’s nothing new.
Are you saying you have a test where your math and reading are reflected well, and one where they are not? Why wouldn’t you only send the “good” one?
We are from the Midwest, and ACT is common here. Both my Mids sent in their ACT scores. No SAT. It’s not uncommon.
Advice is to test and retest to improve to your best score. If that’s between tests, that’s fine. Just do your best and don’t over think it.
Are you saying you have a test where your math and reading are reflected well, and one where they are not? Why wouldn’t you only send the “good” one?
We are from the Midwest, and ACT is common here. Both my Mids sent in their ACT scores. No SAT. It’s not uncommon.
Advice is to test and retest to improve to your best score. If that’s between tests, that’s fine. Just do your best and don’t over think it.
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@justdoit19 .... The ACT I believe tests 3 or 4 areas (Math, R/W, Science, History?) The SAT only has Math and R/W.
This is why most Colleges extract the ACT Math and R/W section Scores only to keep it on par with the SAT.
Really, there is no way to do an Apples-2-Apples comparison because the SAT Math and R/W sections have a Lot of Science and History related content.
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@justdoit19 .... The ACT I believe tests 3 or 4 areas (Math, R/W, Science, History?) The SAT only has Math and R/W.
This is why most Colleges extract the ACT Math and R/W section Scores only to keep it on par with the SAT.
Really, there is no way to do an Apples-2-Apples comparison because the SAT Math and R/W sections have a Lot of Science and History related content.
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From USNA admissions website: We evaluate candidates based on the highest score in each individual category if you elect to take these tests multiple times.
They are not trying to trick you. Send all scores and admissions will select the scores that best represent your candidacy.
They are not trying to trick you. Send all scores and admissions will select the scores that best represent your candidacy.
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^ This. Superscore.......
Kierkegaard
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Yes, send it in. They superscore, but also they don’t even take the science section into account. For USNA all that matters is the Math and English section. When I was applying I took an ACT and I just sat there taking a break during the science and reading sections so that I wouldn’t be mentally exhausted, so I ended up sending an abysmal science and reading score, but since that score isn’t a part of the evaluation it didn’t matter.
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Take @Kierkegaard advice. USNA, like most all Colleges, superscore. Just send it
I am not really a big fan of super scoring, using the Conservation of Energy tactic. On an SAT, you can go all-in for your 1st test on both the R/W and Math sections .... Then the 2nd sitting, you can “Sleep and Conserve Energy” through the R/W portion so that you can be 100% rested for the Math section ..... Of course, they’ll probably notice what your Strategy was all along.
In a Triathlon, you can’t SuperScore events. Why should they allow it with the ACT and SAT? I don’t get it.
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Take @Kierkegaard advice. USNA, like most all Colleges, superscore. Just send it
I am not really a big fan of super scoring, using the Conservation of Energy tactic. On an SAT, you can go all-in for your 1st test on both the R/W and Math sections .... Then the 2nd sitting, you can “Sleep and Conserve Energy” through the R/W portion so that you can be 100% rested for the Math section ..... Of course, they’ll probably notice what your Strategy was all along.
In a Triathlon, you can’t SuperScore events. Why should they allow it with the ACT and SAT? I don’t get it.
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Its a gimmick that collegeboard got approved by colleges to fill more testing seats. Colleges compete against each other, so it probably became a competitive disadvantage to not superscore if competition did.
Its also why ACT is now in that game...
If they actually wanted to remove the income disparity from standardized test scores, removing superscoring and infinite attempts would be a great start.
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You can qualify for a fee waiver for the ACT, take advantage of the tons of free (Kahn Academy, etc.) or low-cost study materials out there and still take the test "infinite times" as well.
Not sure that ending superscoring and being able to take tests multiple times is a great argument for the end of the income disparity issue.
Not sure that ending superscoring and being able to take tests multiple times is a great argument for the end of the income disparity issue.
Unlikely. I'm more familiar with the specifics of USMA vs USNA, but most processes do not include evaluating data that is not being considered. Admissions boards do not have time to review nonessential information. They have thousands of files to evaluate and the time spent reviewing any file is measured in minutes, not hours.
At USMA, only test scores that contribute to the WCS calculation are considered; all other scores are irrelevant, no matter how bad/good. I'm sure USNA has a similar system that does not harm a candidate by using data that they openly claim will not be used.
Of course you should verify that they only use Math and English scores with an official source. It is my understanding that this is correct, but the website does not state that this is the case.
Roadking
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Just wondering what ACT sections does USMA consider for WCS points? I assumed it was all subsections and composite score
All sections for both ACT and SAT. I don't know if the Writing score is included in the WCS calculation, but there is a minimum required score (it was above 7 on the old test; don't know how that equates to scoring on the new test).