How competitive is the naval academy entrance exam?

I'm considering applying to the Naval Academy and I'm a bit anxious about the entrance exam. How challenging is it and what should I focus on while preparing? Any tips from those who've taken it?

Entering the U.S. Naval Academy (USNA) is highly competitive and demands a strong academic background, physical fitness, and demonstrated leadership ability. Although there is no specific entrance exam for the USNA itself, you will be required to either take the SAT or ACT and submit your scores. The academic component to admission involves assessing your performance in these exams along with your high school curriculum rigor and GPA.

As far as SAT and ACT range at the USNA, although it doesn't publish exact minimums, the middle 50% of admitted students typically have scores in the range of 1200-1440 for the SAT, and ACT scores usually lie in the range of 24-31. Maintaining a competitive SAT or ACT score is highly recommended, and this means mastering the contents of these tests. Hence preparation should be focused on Reading, Writing and Math for the SAT or English, Math, Reading, and Science for the ACT.

Next to academics, the Navy also assesses physical aptitude via the Candidate Fitness Assessment (CFA). This is a test that includes six different events: basketball throw, pull-ups/flexed arm hang, shuttle run, crunches, push-ups, and a one-mile run. You should ensure to begin training for these events well in advance of your application.

Finally, leadership is another important facet that the USNA values. Participation and leadership roles in extracurricular activities, community service, athletics, or work experiences can underscore this trait. Balance is key here. A combination of high involvement in a few activities (ideally Tiers 1-3) coupled with some less time-intensive activities (Tier 4) often makes for a well-rounded profile.

In conclusion, while there's no specific entrance exam, your preparation should ideally involve achieving strong SAT/ACT scores, improving your physical health for the CFA, and demonstrating leadership ability through extracurricular activities. Good luck with your application!