You want to get into the United States Air Force Academy (USAFA). It’s a dream for many, but let’s be honest—it’s a brutal process. One of the biggest hurdles you’ll face is the testing. Specifically, the Air Force Academy ACT scores that the admissions board actually wants to see. People obsess over the "average," but the average is a trap. If you only aim for the average, you’re basically betting your future on a coin flip.
The Academy isn't just a college. It’s a leadership lab that happens to grant degrees. Because of that, your ACT scores aren't just numbers on a page; they are proxies for your ability to handle a massive, high-pressure workload while your sleep is being actively sabotaged by military training. If you can’t handle a timed math section in a quiet room, how are you going to manage a double major in Aeronautical Engineering while leading a squadron? That’s the logic. It’s harsh, but it’s real.
The Reality of Air Force Academy ACT Scores
Let’s look at the hard data. For the Class of 2028, the mid-50% range for ACT scores is telling. We aren't looking at a single number. We are looking at a bracket. Typically, successful candidates are landing between a 28 and a 33 on the composite.
Wait.
Does a 28 get you in? Maybe. If you’re a recruited athlete or have an incredible leadership profile, a 28 might pass. But if you’re a "standard" applicant, you really want to be pushing that 31 or 32 mark. The Academy uses a "Super Score" system, which is a massive win for you. They take your highest individual scores from the English, Reading, Math, and Science sections across multiple test dates to create a new, higher composite score.
Why Math and Science Carry More Weight
USAFA is, at its core, a STEM institution. Every single cadet, regardless of whether they major in English or Philosophy, graduates with a Bachelor of Science. You’re going to take core classes in Calculus, Physics, and Chemistry.
If your Air Force Academy ACT scores show a 34 in English but a 24 in Math, you have a problem. The admissions board looks for balance, but they lean heavily on the quantitative side. They need to know you won't wash out of "Calc 1" in your first semester. A 30+ in Math is the unofficial "safety zone" where the board stops worrying about your academic survival.
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Comparing USAFA to Other Service Academies
It’s easy to group West Point, Annapolis, and Colorado Springs together. Don't. While the Naval Academy and West Point have similar academic profiles, the Air Force Academy often skews slightly higher on the technical side.
- West Point (USMA): Often accepts a slightly broader range of scores if the "Whole Person Concept" (leadership/athletics) is off the charts.
- Annapolis (USNA): Very similar to USAFA, with a heavy emphasis on STEM.
- USAFA: Often has the highest average SAT/ACT scores of the three, partly due to the high-tech nature of the Air Force and Space Force missions.
Honestly, if you're applying to all three, you should be aiming for the same target: a 30+ composite. Anything less means the rest of your application—your Congressional nomination, your Candidate Fitness Assessment (CFA), and your leadership roles—has to be absolutely stellar.
The "Whole Person" Myth vs. Data
You've probably heard that the Academy looks at the "whole person." This is true. But it’s often used as an excuse for low test scores. "I'm the captain of the football team, so my 24 on the ACT won't matter."
Wrong.
The Academic Composite makes up about 60% of your total score in the admissions system. The remaining 40% is split between your Leadership Composite and your Fitness. You can be the next Captain America, but if your Air Force Academy ACT scores don't meet the baseline, the computer might filter you out before a human even sees your extracurriculars.
Think of it like this:
Academic performance is the "floor."
Leadership and athletics are the "ceiling."
The floor gets you into the room; the ceiling determines if you stay there.
Strategies for Boosting Your Score Specifically for USAFA
Since the Academy super-scores, your strategy should be different than if you were applying to a school that doesn't. You don't need to be perfect in one sitting.
- Target the Science Section: Many students struggle here because it’s not actually about "science" knowledge—it’s about data interpretation. Spend your time learning how to read charts and graphs under a time crunch. This is a high-yield area for USAFA applicants.
- The Math Grind: You need to be fast. The ACT Math section is a sprint. If you're stuck on a 26, it's usually because you're running out of time, not because you don't know the math. Drill the first 40 questions until you can do them in your sleep.
- Take it Multiple Times: Seriously. Take it four or five times if you have to. Because USAFA super-scores, there is zero penalty for a "bad" day. If you bomb English but go up two points in Math, your super-score goes up. That’s all that matters.
What if Your Scores are "Low"?
If you are sitting at a 25 or 26, don't give up, but be realistic. You might want to look at the Air Force Academy Preparatory School (the "Prep School"). This is a one-year program located on the Academy grounds. It’s designed specifically for candidates who have massive potential but need a year to get their academic legs under them.
The Prep School isn't a "consolation prize." It’s a golden ticket. If you get an appointment to the Prep School and you pass, you are almost guaranteed a spot in the next year’s Academy class. Many of the Academy’s best leaders—including some Generals—started at the Prep School.
The Congressional Nomination Factor
You can't just apply to the Academy and get in. You need a nomination. Usually, this comes from your U.S. Senator or Representative.
Guess what they look at first?
Yep. Your Air Force Academy ACT scores. Your local Congressman might have 500 kids applying for only 10 nomination slots. They use test scores as a quick way to thin the herd. If you want to even get an interview with a nomination committee, your scores need to be competitive within your specific district. If you live in a highly competitive area (like Northern Virginia or suburbs of Dallas), those "average" scores might actually need to be much higher just to get the nomination.
Nuance: The Writing Section
Does the ACT Writing section matter?
Kinda.
But mostly no.
USAFA requires the writing portion, but they don't weigh it nearly as heavily as the core sections. Don't stress a mediocre essay score if your Math and English are through the roof. Just don't skip it, or your entire test will be invalid for the application.
Actionable Steps for Your Application
Stop looking at the 25th percentile and thinking you're safe. The admissions landscape is getting more competitive every year. If you are serious about wearing the prop and wings, here is your roadmap.
Audit your current standing. If you are below a 30 composite, you are in the "maybe" pile. If you are above a 32, you are in the "highly competitive" pile. Use the remaining months before the application deadline to close that gap.
Focus on the Super Score. Schedule at least three test dates. Dedicate each test date to "dominating" one specific section. If you go into the June test telling yourself "I only care about Math today," you'll likely perform better in that section than if you try to master all four at once.
Contact your ALO. Your Admissions Liaison Officer is your best friend. They are usually Academy grads who live in your area. Ask them point-blank: "In our district, what Air Force Academy ACT scores are actually getting nominations?" They will give you the local reality that the national website won't.
Prepare for the CFA simultaneously. Do not wait until your ACT scores are "perfect" to start running and doing pull-ups. The Academy sees a lot of "academic stars" who fail the physical fitness test. That is a waste of a high ACT score.
Finalize your nomination packets early. Most Congressional nomination deadlines are in September or October of your senior year. If you wait until December to get your ACT score up, you might have missed the window for the very nomination you need to use that score.
The road to Colorado Springs is long. It’s supposed to be. They are looking for people who don't just have the brains, but the grit to keep testing until they get the result they need. Get back to the books, drill the math, and get that score where it needs to be.