<ol>
<li><p>Focus all effort on the Math section. Don't worry about having a low verbal score on the future SAT test since the academies credit you with the highest score on any test taken. USMA admissions will understand why your verbal is unusually low.</p></li>
<li><p>If you don't have them already, buy the review books with 10 practice or previous years' tests with detailed solutions. Start doing the math sections of the exams each day. Each day do 20-40 questions. Expect to spend an hour or more a day on study. At first don't worry about the time element. Remember, only do the math sections of the tests, you can cover at least twice as many math problems if you limit your focus to math. Review the solutions for all questions, even those you got right. Many times you'll find easier and more time efficient methods for solving the problem. Identify the types of questions you tend to miss. After you've done a number of the practice tests, start zeroing in on the problems that give you hardest time. Don't waste time doing the easy ones you already know. As you get closer to test time, start timing your practice sessions.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>If you can't figure out how to do certain types of questions even with the solutions, talk to a teacher at school or hire a tudor to work with you.</p>
<ol>
<li><p>If careless 'process' errors rather than lack of understanding is a problem, write out the step by step solution to each problem as you solve it. Part of this step-by-step approach includes physically circling the key items in the question. This is time consuming and boring but it will help minimize the errors. Continue doing this until the careless errors stop. My boys hated this but they tended to miss more 'easy' questions than 'hard' questions when they first started the practice tests. Often they failed to read the question carefully and answered what they thought the question asked rather than what it really asked. </p></li>
<li><p>Look at the test taking tips for math. Some of the techniques for solving complex questions ( for example, when to try substituting the given answers rather than actually solve the problem ) can save valuable time that can be allocated to other questions. Some of these tips will be found in the problem solutions. That's why it's important to review the solutions of all the questions.</p></li>
<li><p>Make sure you know how to use the calculator efficiently and effectively on those problems allowing the calculator. The calculator should save time, not cost time. </p></li>
<li><p>Don't worry about the "conquered" area when you take the formal test in November. Save your brain power on test days for the "targeted" area. That's your mission. I assure you that the academies will understand why your great verbal score dropped on later tests.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>A couple more thoughts after reading all the posts. </p>
<p>JonDavid: Glad your son is retaking SAT and also taking ACT. Some do better on one than the other. A point I hadn't seen mentioned here: something to think about. You do not have to have the scores sent to MOC or USNA until you see them. On our third retake, we did not send scores until we had seen them. Son mentioned that it "might look bad if scores did not go up...." I agreed he had a good point. Strategy, I guess. After we saw scores, we sent them on to USNA and MOC. </p>
<p>On the whole philosophical discussion as to whether a "natural 1000" is at a disadvantage compared to a "natural 1500," well, maybe not. My oldest "naturally" scored quite high and went off to school, living in the honors dorm, biomedical science major, etc. He had to learn to study as he had done very well in high school with very little effort. His fellow students in the honors dorm, many with the "natural 1500," could not survive because they had virtually no study skills. Many did not return for second semester or sophomore year. </p>
<p>My middle son, the USNA applicant, took the SAT three times to get a 1350, still 50 points short of his older brother's initial effort. Yet, he has built study skills through high school that will serve him well in college. He had to apply himself a bit more to achieve similar results as big bro, but we parents think he is better equipped for a demanding program such as USNA because of it!</p>
<p>I can tell you that scores, etc are so important to you right now. In three years, you won't remember even what they were! Once they get in to SA or wherever, no one ever speaks of those scores again. Just another arbitrary measure colleges and universities use to evaluate students. Useless to debate whether such measures are fair, they are a fact of life. </p>
<p>I'd let that MOC and Senator know you are still striving for an appointmemt. Good luck!</p>
<p>One other thing I read by a BGO on this topic. He had a kiddo retaking the SAT's for exactly the same reason: boosting the math score. The kid totally let the English section go on his last attempt, scoring very low. SAT threw out his entire score since the English was so out of range! The BGO made many phone calls, etc. to College Board, to assure him that the student was just trying to boost math score and following his advice to ignore or minimize efforts on the other parts. So, don't cause yourself a new headache by minimizing efforts on the other parts of the test.</p>
<p>
[quote]
On our third retake, we did not send scores until we had seen them. Son mentioned that it "might look bad if scores did not go up...." I agreed he had a good point.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>This concern is however, unwarranted. If the academy gets your scores and they do down they don't do anything with them - they record them if the scores go up.
The problem with not sending scores at the time of the test is as it gets later in the admissions process, you want the academies to have the scores as quickly as possible.<br>
Anyone taking the SAT or ACT for admission into the class of 2013 should definitely not wait until they get their scores before sending them.</p>
<p>Well, the NAPS letter arrived last night. After a few moments of disappointment, my son has turned himself around and receognized the true opportunity that it is and we are all very happy and proud!! So - he is off to Rhode Island!!</p>
<p>Is there a thread for NAPS people? Because I have some questions I can't seem to find even on the NAPS web site -- which seems a little skimpy to me!</p>
<p>What should he do about his nomination interviews that are coming up? Does he have to get a nomination next year? Should he still take the SAT again, or let it go? How many people actually get into the academy after 1 year at NAPS? Oh, we have so many questions - and the letter only gives us 1 week to accept of decline!!</p>
<p>If he wants to go USNA, accept the NAPS appointment. Well over 90% of NAPSTERS are appointed the following year.
Go to the nomination interview. 1] good practice. 2] It is possible--but not likely so don't bank on this--that he could pulled up this year to attend NA if an opening occurs later in the cycle. </p>
<p>He will have to get a nomination next year but his odds of getting at least one of the ten are significantly enhanced.</p>
<p>No reason to take the SAT again. Academy has determined he needs academic assistance; an improved SAT won't change that determination.</p>
<p>Disappointment? I hope not for long!
Congratulations! Your son is in a select group of young people. The Naval Academy WANTS him! Yippee!
He will apply to his congressman and senators next year for a nomination. He will also qualify for a SecNav nomination. If you live far away - they will do the interviews by phone. It's no big deal. Just have him contact the offices next summer - he may not even have to redo the entire applications (unless the MOC was defeated).</p>
<p>You don't have to worry about him getting an appointment. If he wants it and puts forth the academic effort he will get it. It's not like there are 300 NAPSTERS competing for 200 appointments. USNA has basically set aside an appointment for him and it's his to lose.</p>
<p>Unless he still wants to compete for an appointment to USMA he need not take the SAT again. He will take it again at NAPS.</p>
<p>Congrats on NAPS - my son would be thrilled with that - we are still waiting thru. My son goes for candidate weekend at usna next week - we have taken this to be he isn't out of the running yet. My son too took the SAT's 3x - couldn;t get CR above 600, MATH keeps being 750. He took ACT's - told that he would be better on that "content" test. We are awaiting scores.</p>