USNA Appointment without test scores?

[Yokogaijin]

Does anyone know of any candidates that received appointments that did not take the SAT or ACT? Although the Academy has said this year will be test optional for those that couldn't take the test due to COVID, I am interested to see how that actually plays out. Spit balling here but I'm guessing those without test scores will only get a look after those with scores have been sorted through and determined to be Academy material or not, if at all. Hopefully I am wrong. For parents of candidates in backwards states like CA, its been a rather frustrating part of the process. 9 tests canceled since the Spring of Junior year. Ugh.

 

[ImpossibleInc]

Does anyone know of any candidates that received appointments that did not take the SAT or ACT? Although the Academy has said this year will be test optional for those that couldn't take the test due to COVID, I am interested to see how that actually plays out. Spit balling here but I'm guessing those without test scores will only get a look after those with scores have been sorted through and determined to be Academy material or not, if at all. Hopefully I am wrong. For parents of candidates in backwards states like CA, its been a rather frustrating part of the process. 9 tests canceled since the Spring of Junior year. Ugh.

I can only speak to what I've heard but I am someone who was unable to take the test due to cancellation and I have yet to receive any word on my application. My friend however received an LOA without his SAT/ACT (this was partially due to the medical policy that they rolled in close to the start of the new year). Also when I called admissions to ask about the dummy numbers they put into the portal they stated that this would not impact my application. So, in conclusion, no I don't believe it will impact your application but if you got your medical in before the switch in the policy I think, though I don't have a large sample size, that you will be looked at later.

 

[Old Navy BGO]

Although the Academy has said this year will be test optional for those that couldn't take the test due to COVID, I am interested to see how that actually plays out

USNA is not "Test Optional" , but rather "Test Flexible"-- Admissions will consider an application without ACT/SAT scores, but my understanding is that they were going to ask for some explanation of why tests weren't taken. I suspect they know what areas of the country it is difficult /impossible to get a test.

 

[Yokogaijin]

USNA is not "Test Optional" , but rather "Test Flexible"-- Admissions will consider an application without ACT/SAT scores, but my understanding is that they were going to ask for some explanation of why tests weren't taken. I suspect they know what areas of the country it is difficult /impossible to get a test.

That is accurate...wrong terminology I used. If you took the test you have to submit your scores. If you didn't you needed to provide your counselor with cancelled test tickets. Either way, still interested how many get in on the "test flexible" side of things.

 

[Michael_T]

USNA is not "Test Optional" , but rather "Test Flexible"-- Admissions will consider an application without ACT/SAT scores, but my understanding is that they were going to ask for some explanation of why tests weren't taken. I suspect they know what areas of the country it is difficult /impossible to get a test.

I agree with this statement here. I recently attended a Service Academy Workshop, in which they gave us information about each SA, then allowed us to ask whatever questions we wanted to. I specifically did ask them about this, since I knew C/O 2025, was also test-flexible due to COVID-19. They said that the same will also apply to admissions for C/O 2026.

In no situation, USNA will never be a "test-optional" school. It is also "test-flexible." In which the representative also clarified this for me, whenever I had asked the question. Although USNA is "test-flexible" meaning they will still look at your application even if you do not submit these scores, DOES NOT mean, that shouldn't submit any just because you don't want to. Test Flexibility is intended for those who may not be able to take the exam, due to COVID-19 restrictions (cancelled tests, for example)