<p>There are two philosophies regarding standardized tests like the SAT and ACT. You can study with the emphasis placed on increasing your knowledge and aptitude in a subject and/or you can study with the emphasis placed more on the test taking techniques necessary to improve your score. Ideally you want to blend the two approaches so you can hopefully get the best outcome. </p>
<p>The first; “knowledge/aptitude” takes more time and may involve studying the subject material as well as doing practice problems and entire tests. </p>
<p>The second approach involves an approach more along the line of “tips or tricks”. Things like skipping or saving problems you are stuck on and moving on to questions you can answer, making sure you read the question and not getting tripped up by questions where they play word games with “inclusive or exclusive terms”. This approach can be taught and applied more quickly. </p>
<p>To get a substantial improvement in your score I think you really need to focus on both approaches. </p>
<p>Getting a nomination from your MOC may be something of a challenge, depends on how competitive your region is and I would focus on your Congressman as I think a Senatorial would be a long shot. Also a lot of kids get into programs like USMAPS and NAPS every year, so it can be done. Out side of recruited athletes, kids with a good package (athletics, leadership etc) as well as high grades and poor SAT/ACT performance (or the reverse) have a shot. </p>
<p>Lastly, your son’s future will not be determined by what happens this year unless he allows it to be. If he does not get into an Academy he can apply again and/or fall back on another college program with ROTC. There are also colleges like VMI that offer a military college environment and programs at Universities like Virginia Tech and Texas A&M that have a Corps Cadet program that is “halfway in-between”.</p>