<p>So here is my story. I am 19 and am in college. I am at a community college. I have like 2 and a half years of college credit. I am a very smart guy. I have no Cs at all. Just As and Bs. The Air Force Academy wants students with a lot of leadership back ground and work experience. I am an Eagle Scout and a Black Belt. I have a lot of work experience. I have worked at a scout camp, worked at a restaurant, and I currently work as a math tutor at a high school. I am very athletic and am in good shape. I know I do sound like a very good candidate, but my SAT scores and ACT scores are just terrible. I scored in the 400s and 500s when i took the SATs and I scored a 19 on the ACTs. I just really really suck at the SAT and ACT test. This is ridiculous why a stupid test would hold me back from my dream. Just a one simple little stupid test would kill my dreams. This is just ridiculous, I just stink at these test. The time on the test is the only bad thing for me. I can never finish any of the sections. If I was not timed, I probably could score a perfect on these test. I just over analyze everything. It is just me! That is all. I have given my scores to the academy and they refuse to send me an application until I get my scores up. This really, really, really ticks me off. Anyways any advice? Am I screwed form my dream just because of one simple little test? I am trying to get into a SAT and ACT class to build up speed…</p>
<p>You need to find SAT/ACT prep books and courses to help you break you habits and form new ones. Until you can fix your SAT/ACT scores, the USAFA will continue to turn you away. You know this, so go out and find some help!</p>
<p>Pretty much what it comes to I guess.. :'( Anyone know of any good places to find SAT/ACT classes. I have looked at the community colleges around my area and could not find anything.</p>
<p>Try Kaplan software for ACT/SAT test prep. I also heard that sylvan learning center has a program that I think says it is guaranteed to raise your ACT score by 5 points. </p>
<p>The standard in SAT prep is KAPLAN you can find them on the web, and they have classes everywhere. They will usually give you a 100-200 point increase, but they are not cheap about 800 for the in residence training course. Money well spent if you get in though. </p>
<p>Remember there are other ways in the Academy. The AD enlisted or Reserve Enlisted may delay things but could offer an alternative.</p>
<p>SD, I suggest you read a similar thread on the Service Academy Parents board. Also if you know the subject material and you only want to focus on test taking techniques etc. I think you could get by without a class. You can use workbooks for sample questions, as well as to time your own practice tests. You should get to the point where you are as comfortable sitting down in a room full of people with the "real test" in front of you as you are completing one at home alone. </p>
<p>There are also online programs that will allow you to log in and test. If you want it bad enough I'm sure you will find a way to get there.</p>
<p>Getting your SAT scores up isn't going to be that hard. There are tons of options out there; your biggest consideration will be how much money you want to spend. I went to borders and bought a Kaplan study guide for like $30 and it raised my SAT by almost 100 points. Having said all that, you need to kick it into gear right now! I assume you haven't started the application process yet since they havent sent you an application. Have you already written to your congressman/Senators regarding a nomination? When can you take the SAT/ACT again?</p>
<p>Thank you everyone for your replys. I have completed the online questionnaire and finished my congressman application. My congressman application look very good! Except for scoring a 19 on the ACTs. I was very pleased in turning that application in. So basically I just need to kick up those annoying scores to get the official application packet. I have an ACT book(Barron's ACT 2008) sitting on my desk at home, but I just can never get around to it due to being in college and work ect... I think that I really just need to be in a class. Can't really find any classes at any of the community college around where I live. I am taking that SATs on NOV 1 and the ACT a couple of weeks after...</p>
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<p>hornetguy said it best here. if length because of over-analyzing is your problem, you definetely need to change that before you could go to USAFA. there definetely is NOT enough time to get things done, sometimes tests and sometimes with everything you're expected to do. so if you can get better now, then you should do great.</p>
<p>on a similar note, the SAT and ACT or the only way USAFA really has to compare applicants. Some schools give you grades easily, some schools its easy to letter in numerous sports, and some clubs give leadership titles without you having to do any work for it. the standardized tests is their one comparison, so thats why they can justify making requirements on those before even looking at anything else.</p>
<p>keep your head up, keep improving, and you can achieve your goal.</p>
<p>Another thing is that low test scores, if that is your ONLY deficiency, could land you a Prep school slot. Call you advisor and talk to your ALO and let them know you are interested in any way you can get to the academy, including the P school, and bug the heck out of them.</p>
<p>The other option I see is as ds52262 said you could enlist. I was a prior enlisted and I can tell you the application process is a lot easier, however you HAVE to get in before your 23rd birthday, 22nd if you want a P school slot.</p>
<p>academics are the #1 thing here. and like eagle said, it's the only standard thing that admissions has to compare everyone to. in addition to cadcandmateus, i've got 2 GRs, 2 papers, and a huge quiz all next week. you've gotta do well academically.</p>
<p>that being said, you can always improve and reach your goal. work hard</p>
<p>I can't go to prep school because I am out of high school. I was told by the academy that you can only go to prep school fresh out of high school. :( Unless I was told wrong?</p>
<p>I know this has been sort of said before, but if you want to really improve your scores, and your problem is timing, the BEST thing I think you can do is practice A LOT. I raised my scores in almost every area by 100 points JUST by doing a large number of practice test and getting comfortable with all the types of questions, so that when I saw a question I didn't have to waste time thinking about what to do, I could just do it.</p>
<p>A lot of the materials other listed also give strategies for timing. I know for ACT reading section a strategy is to focus on only 3 of the 4 sections and just guess on the last one. The book I had gave a break down and said a likely score for this strategy is 25-28.</p>