Our son also participated in the NUMATS ACT test in 7th grade (25). He attends a private school where only the PSAT is given. He then took it again early in 10th grade as a baseline (33) and studied a bit (a week or so). In the spring and summer of 10th-11th grade we took a few college trips to the Ivy’s and west coast schools and he decided that he really wanted to go to Stanford. We had sat through about 15 presentations at this point which all said “take the AP classes and get A’s” and the ra-ra about how awesome their school was full of anxious parents wondering how their kid could possibly be admitted. While his score was perfectly fine for our state flagship (Michigan) when we looked into the 25-75 ranges we discovered that the 33 = 99th percentile was just … average.
In early 11th grade he decided that he wanted to pursue engineering instead of the sciences which bumped up the ACT range even further. Now his 33 was average even for Michigan. He took in once more in February, studied for 3 weeks this time and got a 36. He also took the SAT for NMF qualification and 2 SAT II tests since some of the colleges require them. He didn’t take any prep classes, just used a few of the books.
So if there are any lessons learned they are:
- Start early. Don't listen to the guidance councilors who say to take the tests late in 11th/early 12th grade. Our son had zero anxiety because he was relaxed. If his score didn't improve he could always retake in late junior or early senior year.
- Studying makes a big difference. So does paying attention in classes for the ACT.
- Concentrate on improving weak areas. Better return than marginal improvement in strong areas.
He won’t hear back on his EA choices until next week and for some, next year. We won’t know if it makes any difference but at least (we think) it won’t hurt him. At least he was admitted to his safety already.
It really makes me long for the old days when we applied to 3 schools, got in to 2, and mostly were able to attend our favorite. For grad schools we both applied to 1 and that’s where we went. This process has been far more nerve racking than any college application my wife and I have ever experienced.