S.A.T. Parent Help Needed

[IUTBAM]

You know your son best, but I will tell you my DD's experience...straight A, 4.0 GPA student, took no prep class, did two practice tests, and scored a 2210 cumulative (out of 2400...this included the writing portion). For just the reading/math (which is what most schools look at), she scored 1500 out of 1600. So no, prep is not needed if your son is a good student.

 

[Wish I lived in Fl]

DS was a bright but lazy student. He did best on the SAT directly after a $250 prep course and less well 6 months later. That little bit better made him eligible for a full ride scholarship. It was the best $250 we ever spent.

 

[crisi]

My son has taken the PSAT and his scores were in the top 10%.

His problem with homework is that he is bored. He thinks that homework is something to be used if you don't already know what is being taught. He's a teenager and already knows everything .

He is very bright and his grades don't refect his abilities. In short, he is lazy. I spoke with two of his teachers last week. One said he should do fine without the course. The other said it would make him a little more comfortable with the process. He is the one who originally asked about the course, but I don't know if it was because he wanted to take it, or because all his friends will be there.

So given this information - his PSATs were in the top 10%, he's a B student - what's the acceptance rate of the schools he is trying to get into?

Its unlikely that the course will raise his scores enough to see him get into a highly selective school and he isn't driven enough to be a great merit scholarship candidate with a B average. So if you he is trying to get into a school with a 70% acceptance rate or higher, I wouldn't bother to take the course.

 

[MrsPete]

Several comments:

Most kids do not take an SAT prep course. My daughter didn't, and her scores were great: First time, just under 2000; second time, just over 2000. Of course, that doesn't really matter to you. What you care about is how your own kid's going to do.

Having said that, he does need to go into the test knowing what to expect. What type of questions will they ask? How long will each section be? If he's going to run out of time, should he hurry and fill in answers or leave some blank? He can get this information from an SAT prep book or the SAT website.

As for the latest he can take the SAT . . . that's the wrong question. He should take the SAT as soon as possible after he completes Algebra 2. Why? Because his Language score isn't going to change significantly; his vocabulary and reading comprehension aren't likely to change through practice at this point. But Algebra 2 is the highest math tested by the SAT; thus, it'd be to his advantage to test as soon as possible after completing that course.

I fill out scholarship recommendations for my seniors constantly (and my own senior is working on scholarships right now), and the SAT isn't a big consideration for them. The PSAT does qualify students for the National Merit Scholarship program. The SAT score is most important for college admissions, and it is only one part of the admissions process; the GPA and other application information together are more important than the SAT score. I'd guess that a no-homework kid isn't looking at a super-competative school anyway.

Regardless, scholarships are really drying up this year. It's much tougher than previous years.

I'd be very concerned about the no-homework attitude. Kids who feel that way often find themselves in trouble in college because they haven't built up the study skills that they need (since so much more independent work is required). I'd push this hard in his remaining time in high school. Also, if he can make a B without studying, you might push him to register for a higher-level course. (Of course, I'm assuming he's not making a B in AP classes without studying.)

 

[Aliceacc]

I teach 2 different Math SAT pre courses. One is offered to all the Juniors in my college prep high school, the other I teach over the summer.

I think that anything that combines time on task with concrete techniques is bound to be a good thing.

That said, here's what I think I would do:

a. Hit a bookstore and get both a test strategy book (Princeton review, if you can find it, is solid strategy) and an SAT prep book. My school uses Barron's SAT. Used is fine, particularlly for the strategy book-- see if there's anything at amazon.

b. Read the strategies. I just PM'd you my class notes.

c. Have your son take the first SAT exam, paying careful attention to time. AT the end of the test, have him determine both his raw and scaled score.

d. Now here's the important part: after the exam, there's a page where it lists the topics covered and the questions on that exam on those topics. Barrons calls it "Identify Your Weaknesses." Have him highlight the ones he got wrong and circle the ones he skipped.

e. Repeat with test 2. He now has 6 math sections completed.

f. Look at those Identify Your Weaknesses pages. Look for patterns-- is he consistently getting the circles wrong? The quadrilaterals? The Word Problems??? They list pages to study-- have him brush up on those topics or skip them until he gets a handle on them.

Most kids take the SAT in the spring (usually May) and then again around Halloween. I say you let him take the May exam without investing in a course, and see how he does.

Best wishes!

 

[book_junkie]

OP, you might check your local library and see if they offer some type online tool that might help. I know at mine, we have access to Learning Express for our patrons, which has practice tests of all types, including ACT, AP, and SAT. The SAT module has practice tests for critical reading, math, writing (multiple choice and essay), and also has these online prep courses for free:

• 411 SAT Algebra & Geometry Questions
  Master key concepts in the full range of algebra and geometry questions with 411 practice questions. This imperative study tool is tailored to help you achieve your full test-taking potential!
• 411 SAT Essay Prompts & Writing Questions
  Practice the skills you need to succeed on the SAT Writing section and get into the college you desire! This indispensable study guide provides the focused practice necessary for test-taking success!
• SAT Course 1: About the SAT Exam: In the first of nine SAT courses, you will learn the format and content of the official exam so you know how to prepare and what to expect.
• SAT Course 2: Study Skills and Strategies: In the second of nine SAT courses, you will learn how to prepare for the SAT exam.
• SAT Course 3: Sentence Completion: In the third of nine SAT courses, you will learn about the sentence completion questions on the SAT Critical Reading section.
• SAT Course 4: Critical Reading—Long Passages: In the fourth of nine SAT courses, you will learn about the long passages and reading comprehension questions on the SAT Critical Reading section.
• SAT Course 5: Critical Reading—Short Passages: This fifth course of nine SAT courses will teach you about the paragraph-length reading passages and reading comprehension questions on the SAT Critical Reading section.
• SAT Course 6: Math—Five-Choice Questions: Prepare for the the Math section of the SAT and its five-choice questions with this sixth course of nine SAT Exam Success courses.
• SAT Course 7: Math—Grid-In Questions: In the seventh of nine SAT courses, you will learn about the grid-in questions on the Math section.
• SAT Course 8: Writing—Multiple-Choice: Become familiar with the multiple-choice questions in the Writing section of the SAT with SAT Course 8: Writing—Multiple-choice Questions, the eighth of nine SAT courses.
• SAT Course 9: Writing—Essay: In the last of nine SAT courses, you will learn about the essay question on the Writing section of the SAT.
• SAT Math Essentials: Practice and score higher with SAT Math Essentials! Boost your overall score and target your needs with three practice exams with complete answer explanations.
• SAT Writing Essentials: If you are planning to take the SAT and need extra practice and a more in-depth review of the Writing section, here's everything you need to get started…
• SAT/PSAT Word Games: Improve Your Vocabulary and Score Higher on the SAT and PSAT!
• Write Your Way into College: SAT Essay: This eBook has all the tools and insider advice you need to write an effective SAT essay and get a great score on this section of the exam.

 

[ValpoCory]

PSAT, my rant is above/another post

Thanks. I prepped for a year for the PSAT and was fortunate enough to be a National Merit Scholar. I never had a problem in math. In the 10 or so practice tests I took, I never got below a 790 on the math. But the practice helped my verbal. There was no writing section in 1993-4 when I took the PSAT. Within weeks I had a half dozen full ride scholarships in my mailbox. Way too much rides on that PSAT, if you ask me.

 

[tyniknate]

Does your school offer a during the school day class? My son (junior) high school offers a credit bearing elective class. My son took that class as one of his electives this year.

Sadly, no. They force you into paying for the class.

 

[Eastern]

Have him go to the CollegeBoard website and sign up for SAT question of the day. Each day, a question will go to his email box. He answers it, and then the correct answer, with an explanation, comes up.

My senior son took the SATs last year as a junior in May, and didn't do as well as he should have. He signed up as soon as he could (maybe August) for the October test, and all summer did the questions of the day. I also bought him a practice SAT book and he did several of the tests on weekends. His score went up 200 points.

Also have him watch these 5 videos related to writing the essay. Karl Schellscheidt gives very easy to understand instructions on what to include. http://blog.eprep.com/category/essay/ My son improved 70 points on the essay alone. (he gives a lot of good tips and he gives you a format for writing the essay that is helpful if your son tends to panic when he has to write an essay)

 

[tyniknate]

Several comments:

Most kids do not take an SAT prep course. My daughter didn't, and her scores were great: First time, just under 2000; second time, just over 2000. Of course, that doesn't really matter to you. What you care about is how your own kid's going to do.

Having said that, he does need to go into the test knowing what to expect. What type of questions will they ask? How long will each section be? If he's going to run out of time, should he hurry and fill in answers or leave some blank? He can get this information from an SAT prep book or the SAT website.

As for the latest he can take the SAT . . . that's the wrong question. He should take the SAT as soon as possible after he completes Algebra 2. Why? Because his Language score isn't going to change significantly; his vocabulary and reading comprehension aren't likely to change through practice at this point. But Algebra 2 is the highest math tested by the SAT; thus, it'd be to his advantage to test as soon as possible after completing that course.

I fill out scholarship recommendations for my seniors constantly (and my own senior is working on scholarships right now), and the SAT isn't a big consideration for them. The PSAT does qualify students for the National Merit Scholarship program. The SAT score is most important for college admissions, and it is only one part of the admissions process; the GPA and other application information together are more important than the SAT score. I'd guess that a no-homework kid isn't looking at a super-competative school anyway.

Regardless, scholarships are really drying up this year. It's much tougher than previous years.

I'd be very concerned about the no-homework attitude. Kids who feel that way often find themselves in trouble in college because they haven't built up the study skills that they need (since so much more independent work is required). I'd push this hard in his remaining time in high school. Also, if he can make a B without studying, you might push him to register for a higher-level course. (Of course, I'm assuming he's not making a B in AP classes without studying.)

He is actually making a B+ in AP Math and Science courses...that's what makes me so sick about his attitude!

 

[Eastern]

I disagree about taking the SAT as soon as possible. I would take it as late as possible, making sure that he is able to take it twice, one test spring of junior year and the other test taken early fall of senior year. It's not just about what you know; it's also a maturity issue. That test is long and requires patience and stamina. They are looking to weed out kids (by score) who are not able to concentrate for 4 hours straight.

I also disagree that your language score will not improve. There are lots of common grammar errors that kids make because grammar is not taught as much as it used to be. The SAT prep questions get you used to what kinds of things they will ask you, subject/verb agreement, when to use singular vs plural, etc.

 

[punkin]

I would buy this book http://www.amazon.com/Official-SAT-...8529/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1328709126&sr=8-1 and make sure the kid takes the practice tests and goes over them. It should be enough. DD's school offered an SAT prep class which was completely useless. This book, however, was great.

 

[tyniknate]

Ok, here's what we have decided for this time. SAT is on March 10th. He is going to take it that date and see what happens. We are headed to the bookstore this weekend to get prep materials and I will be working with him between now and the test. This should give him plenty of time to retake the test in May if he needs to, and again in October. Our local university offers a prep course (with financial assistance if needed) in the early fall.

Thank you so much to everyone for the information you have provided. I really appreciate all of it!

 

[tyniknate]

I would buy this book http://www.amazon.com/Official-SAT-...8529/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1328709126&sr=8-1 and make sure the kid takes the practice tests and goes over them. It should be enough. DD's school offered an SAT prep class which was completely useless. This book, however, was great.

Thanks for the link....I love one click purchasing. The book is on the way!

 

[punkin]

Thanks for the link....I love one click purchasing. The book is on the way!

You're welcome. I hope it helps.

 

[Aliceacc]

Here's another fabulous resource on tactics:

http://www.amazon.com/Up-Your-Score-Underground-Guide/dp/0761133259

The edition doesn't really matter; the tactics don't change.

 

[tar heel]

I would not do a prep class before taking the SAT once. If the score is disappointing, then do a prep class before taking it again.

One of my three sons took an SAT prep course. He took it between the first time he took the SAT and the second time. It was in the summer and sponsored by a university. His score went up about 100 points, but who knows how much of that can be attributed to the score. Any effect it made was in class b/c he did not continue to use the workbook in any way.

 

[wide awake]

You can prep course kids to death...but, in the long run they'll end up where they should end up. I had a cousin, prepped to the nth, made it into a magnificent school cause parents did everything else right...he bombed out, did graduate from another good college, but...not an independent adult. I know in this day and age every parent thinks their child is brilliant, their child belongs at Harvard, yada yada...if your child cannot do this w/o a lot of parental help, lots of prep classes...they don't belong. Let your child test, and the pieces fall where they may. Your child will end up at their level and probably be darn happy. You will have to adjust to the fact that maybe it isn't the Ivy League...or maybe it is, who knows? It is your child's college and their life. At some point they need to take over.