Should I retake the ACT

BaseballGuy

BaseballGuy

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Hello, I am a high-school senior applying to USAFA. I have taken the ACT three times, with a superscored score of a 27. I would like to take it again, but the next test is not until February. Will my score be in on time, and does a super-score hurt my chances? Thank you.
 
You can always talk to your ALO! He or she will be able to give you a lot more specifics. However, I can tell you that a 27 is low for an SA. Make sure the rest of your application is amazing and try your hardest to get at least a 30. Good luck!
 
Well it's a little complicated.

First, I'll answer your last question: no, a super-score does not hurt your chances. USAFA does this on purpose, and they endorse taking the test multiple times to bring your super score up.

Now, USAFA reports that the middle 50% range for the ACT is 28-33, with a median average of 31. This, unfortunately means that you fall in the bottom 25%. Now, there are about 1050 cadets at the Academy that scored lower than 28, so not everyone gets a 31. But, much like the CFA, they'll want you to shoot to be above average, even if just so. That means you're going to want a 30-31. Now, there are tons of resources out there to bring ACT scores up, and improving by 3-4 points may not be a huge issue for you if you put in the effort.

But, the Instructions to Candidates booklet reports that tests taken in February may not reach the Academy in time. So you don't have much of a chance to take the SAT, as the next date for that test is in March. But, a test taken in February may still reach admissions in time.

Here's my bottom line: Talk to your ALO. They know better than I do. But here's my advice for you here and now: Take the test. If it reaches Admissions in time, you're golden. If it doesn't, it doesn't. But if you don't take the test at all, it won't reach Admissions at all. You have an infintely better chance of getting your score in on time if you take the test than if you don't. Take the test.
 
Yes, please retake the ACT no matter for which college. I do not want to brag, but my son made 28 ACT last year when he was in 7th grade. What I am trying to say is there are many people can make higher than 27 that makes your admission chance very small when compared to them. Good luck!
 
Do some ACT prep, brought my score up by 4 points!(my tests were only 2 months apart). Start the prep now, and you will set yourself up for success on the test in Feb.
 
2000124627 said:
Do some ACT prep, brought my score up by 4 points!(my tests were only 2 months apart). Start the prep now, and you will set yourself up for success on the test in Feb.
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Excelllent advice. I did some prep for about a month before my ACT and took my score from a 28 to a 34. There are plenty of places to do it, but I have heard Kahn Academy has a great online program.
 
Almost no colleges are requiring standardized tests this year, including the ivies. Although the SA’s still require them, I think they will have to relax standards just a little because some states have had straight up cancellations since last March. I know the nominating committees in our state were told to not hold absence of scores against applicants. Candidates were also told not to travel for testing.

Some colleges are saying tests are optional, others are saying they won’t take them at all.

In our state, tests were canceled from March through August, then had very limited seating in the fall, made kids wear masks, and were asked not to come if they had been put on quarantine by the school. (Huge groups of students were put on quarantine if a teacher or classmate tested positive).

I would say it can’t hurt to keep testing...but I expect the test weight to change this year...
 
I personally think taking the ACT would increase the chances of you being accepted. I received a 34 after 3 attempts, and ultimately I think it helped immensely in the academic portion of my profile and the offer of appointment I received. If you have any other questions, dm me!
 
I think the problem is there are no tests offered again until February. The OP was asking if the scores would make it in time, which nobody really knows. Definitely worth a shot....
 
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