Final answer:
The specific minimum ACT scores for USNA admission consideration by the SECNAV aren't provided, but college engineering programs require ACT or SAT scores. Engineering students must apply math and science to solve problems. The emphasis on SAT/ACT in admissions is changing, and predictive validity of these tests is debated.
Step-by-step explanation:
To determine the minimum ACT scores required for consideration by the Secretary of the Navy (SECNAV) for personnel at the United States Naval Academy (USNA), specific score requirements can typically be found on the USNA admissions website or by consulting their admissions office. However, since the question doesn't provide the current standards, one should keep in mind that college engineering programs often require applicants to submit ACT or SAT scores, letters of recommendation, complete four years of high school mathematics, and write an essay about engineering.
Engineering students are expected to apply math and science to problems and use these disciplines as tools, indicating a strong emphasis on robust analytical and problem-solving skills.
In recent times, the reliance on SAT and ACT scores for college admissions has been under significant review. While colleges have used these standardized tests as benchmarks in the admissions processes, over 1000 institutions of higher education had adjusted or eliminated the requirements for SAT or ACT test scores as of March 2019. Nevertheless, research has indicated that SAT and ACT scores have high predictive validity for first-year college students' GPA, though this validity has been contested by some studies.