ACT practice test- a good thing?

[mominwestlake]

Our local library and Sylvan Learning Center have teamed up to offer high school students the opportunity to take a practice ACT. The following week they will discuss the results. The week after that Sylvan will present the students with ACT strategies so they can "ace" the ACT. This is all free. I have a 10th grader who I am strongly encouraging (he says making) to take part in this. I want to see how well he does so I can see what other things we will have to do to prepare. He is an A student in honors classes. Many people have told me that colleges will look at ACT scores when giving out scholarship money. With the state of this economy, he will need all the scholarships he can get. My ds cares more about having to get up early and thinks a "practice" test won't help him. The classes start at 9:30 am.

What would you do if this was your child? He says none of his friends have to do anything like this. Do you think it will be beneficial?

 

[DebMcDonald]

I have a child in 9th grade and I would JUMP at this chance. I feel anything that can help them with testing scores which will eventually help with getting into college or give them any bump towards college $$ is well worth it.

Here in Mass we have the MCAS and if you score in the top portion you can get the Abigal Adams scholarship which is full tuition to a state school (does not cover fees) and my daughter will be taking the extra help classes for that, she doesn't need them as she will pass fine, but if it can give her the extra bump to move her into the top tier than those Tuesday and Thursday afternoons were well worth it in my opinion. My daughter is also in advanced classes and says "mom, none of my friends are going to take them", well I'm your mother not your friends.

 

[aka-mad4themouse]

I say "force" him to do it.

My DD18 increased her SAT scores dramatically by doing the SAT/ACT prep software that KAPLAN puts out. She was offered merit scholarships at every school that she applied to, many of them for more than half the tuition costs. All but one school invited her into their honors program which usually means better housing and first choices when scheduling classes. Had she improved her SAT score by 50 more points, she would have been considered for full scholarships at the school she is now attending.

Yes, it's worth it. Your DS has no idea what the competition is like for scholarship money. Everything matters and only a few points separate the student who gets a full ride from the ones who get little to no money at all.

 

[bgirl29]

My highschooler would be signed up for the class too! That sounds like a very good thing in my opinion. Around here I know lots of kids are taking the ACT 2 or 3 times trying to improve their scores.

 

[mominwestlake]

They offer it for both the ACT and SAT. I have him signed up for the ACT one. I also have a 9th grader and maybe I'll sign her up for the SAT one.

I can't stand it when they pull the "none of my friends have to do that" stuff. That might be true- alot of their friends have money to pay for college and 2 kids to put through. We have 5 kids and not a lot of money- especially in this economy. DH's business is in serious trouble.

Okay, I will make him take it and I won't feel bad. We have the Kaplan software and he won't touch that either. Don't get me wrong. He's a great kid- strives for high grades in his classes, very competitive in band, in 2 or 3 clubs. But weekends are for fun in his eyes.

 

[aka-mad4themouse]

BTW, ask your DS if he knew that getting up early and taking this practice test class was worth $60K - $80K (maybe even more!), would that motivate him?

 

[robinb]

I took the ACT back when I was in High School but the SAT was more "popular". I was also an Honors "A" student, but I was terrible at standardized tests. I would have benefited from such a program . I say make him do it!

 

[Disneyland Princess]

YES! Make him do it it will help him when he takes the real test later, it helped me a tone! I didn’t take the class the 1st time I took the ACT and didn’t get a very good score, the next time I took the classes and my score went up 5 whole points. Make him do it he will thank you later when he’s applying for college!

 

[okeydokey]

It's a terrific opportunity. You can pick up a practice book at most bookstores to get some extra practice in also. I used to teach ACT prep classes and I can say that they really do help.

 

[agnes!]

For those who are looking into prep classes for the SAT/ACT...

I found an online prep-course available for $ through the website of the company that runs the SAT. I'm thinking that we'll get in for my DD, but probably closer to when she'll take the PSAT and/or the SAT.

I wish there were a PSAT-only prep (or maybe refresher? prep sounds like you somehow won't pass unless you take the class & that certainly isn't true) class, that's the one that gets kids considered from National Merit programs. It seems that everything is for SAT, but the PSAT is important too, and IMO isn't just a tune-up for the SAT. The format/content seems to be somewhat different.

agnes!

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Heck yes!!!!

In fact you should get a book and have your child take the practice tests on top of that.

My dd is going to college in the fall. She is going to take the ACT in June to try and qualify for some scholarship money. It is critical to nail the score if you want money. And you only have until Dec 1st of their SR year in order to qualify. Sometimes it is sooner, sometimes later, but the majority cutoff is Dec 1.

Put it this way, you will know where your kid sits with the score.

 

[rie'smom]

Yes, have him do the prep! He'll thank you.