When is a good time to prep your child for SAT test or ACT?

[NY Disney fan]

I'm thinking about prepping my child for the SAT but not sure when is a good age? Thanks.

 

[DisneyFan32WI]

I'm thinking about prepping my child for the SAT but not sure when is a good age? Thanks.

My daughter is going to be a freshman in the fall and she is taking a 2 week summer course right now called ACT PREP. I think I may be starting her a bit early, but I tend to challenge my kids to be ahead of the game.

 

[golfgal]

There really is no point in prepping the kids much before a few months before the test. I would also suggest letting your child take the test for the first time without prep courses and see if they are needed (they are expensive). There is an ACT test given in the middle of June, have them take that test right after their junior year in high school (or the one in April of Junior year). See how they do and if they need to retake the test, they can prep over the summer and retake in the fall. Quite honestly though, if they go to a good high school, all the prep they need will be through their coursework.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Here is the college board site. Plenty of info there.

http://www.collegeboard.com/

 

[lovemygoofy]

Isn't your child a toddler? I could be mixing up people, not unusual for me.

 

[::Snow_White::]

I bought an ACT prep book in April of my sophomore year and took the ACT in June that same year. I never took any courses and the only thing we paid for was the prep book. I did maybe 6 out of 12 of the practice tests and wrote down a few math things I needed to review or remember and that was it. I did well on it. I guess it depends on when you think is best, but I do suggest doing a few timed practice tests before the actual test. The time is what throws me off the most.

SAT, I took in June this year and bought a prep book, a week before or so. Did a few practice tests, I still did well on it. The ACT probably helped me get ready for that too, though.

ETA: I would also check out sparknotes and collegeboard. They each have online free practice tests (3 ACT & SAT on collegeboard, one of each on sparknotes) and guides about what you should study and they go over a lot of what is in the tests. It was really helpful!

HTH!

 

[NY Disney fan]

Isn't your child a toddler? I could be mixing up people, not unusual for me.

Yeah she's 3. Is that too early to prep?

All kidding aside, I just wanted to know what other people did.

 

[disneyjunkie]

I'm thinking about prepping my child for the SAT but not sure when is a good age? Thanks.

Yeah she's 3. Is that too early to prep?

All kidding aside, I just wanted to know what other people did.

The child is only 3 leave her alone. Let her play and be a kid.


Didn't you start a thread about a month ago about GT testing here in NYC? If so, focus on that. Fill out the application in October. She'll be tested late January early Feb. You will get the results for DOE in April. Pick a school (if she scores high enough) in May. Don't prep for the test.

Repeat the process when she's in the 5th grade and you are searching for middle schools. Repeat the process again when she's in the 8th grade and you're searchng for high schools.

When she hits 10th or 11th grade, then you worry about SATs and ACTs.

 

[Hyonlyf]

Beginning of 10th grade is my recommendation.

 

[FireDancer]

The child is only 3 leave here alone. Let her play and be a kid...

snip

...When she hits 10th or 11th grade, then you worry about SATs and ACTs.

^^This.

Pushing kids this young so hard is asking for a burned out neurotic kid. People who need a separate calendar to keep track of their pre-high school kid's activities are going a bit far IMO.

Let them go out side and throw around a ball and do what kids do. When they are in high school they can start to think about college preparation.

 

[Indiana Rose Lee]

teaching/training a child is far less important than allowing a child to explore and play at that age. Read Toilet trained for Yale for a good laugh and perspective.

My kids read like crazy and worked hard in school. They did great on the tests. I would never push a young child in this area. It will only make a neurotic child. There is also an interesting book on Overachievers.

 

[NY Disney fan]

When she hits 10th or 11th grade, then you worry about SATs and ACTs.

Its too late at this point, if you're interested in getting into the Duke TIP or John Hopkins programs for kids. They want to see SAT scores from middle schoolers.

ETA: ...and I'm not really pushing my child. I'm just one of those parents that want to be "in the know". I want to "game" the educational system because no one tells you anything.

 

[allison443]

Its too late at this point, if you're interested in getting into the Duke TIP or John Hopkins programs for kids. They want to see SAT scores from middle schoolers.

My dds attended the Johns Hopkins summer programs, and they took the SAT several times in middle school. They did not prep for those tests, and I don't know anyone who did at that age.

 

[Indiana Rose Lee]

If your child is well read and well rounded they can take the test in 9th or 10th grade and do all right. I hope you child is as interested in your lofty goals for him/her as you are. Maybe they will want to be an artist, a dancer, a teacher, etc.

 

[golfgal]

Its too late at this point, if you're interested in getting into the Duke TIP or John Hopkins programs for kids. They want to see SAT scores from middle schoolers.

Boy do I feel sorry for your kid that you are worried about this at age 3. If your child's SCHOOL feels they are ready for a program like this in middle school, they will let you know. Until then, let the kid be a kid

 

[DisneyCowgirl]

This is a joke, right? Are you really concerned now about prepping your 3-year-old for a test to be taken at least 10 years from now?

 

[NY Disney fan]

Boy do I feel sorry for your kid that you are worried about this at age 3.

I don't feel sorry for my kid. She has a mother who cares enough to know about deadlines and special educational programs that she should be taking advantage of. Unlike most parents who wait for them to be told what options are available for them (usually when its too late).

And I'd like to reiterate. I am not pushing my kid. I just wanted to see what other parents where doing. I don't push my child I just encourage her to be disciplined. If my kid wants to watch Fresh Beat Band on TV or some other show, she can. I'm not gonig to raise her like a soldier.

 

[DisneyCowgirl]

My dds attended the Johns Hopkins summer programs, and they took the SAT several times in middle school. They did not prep for those tests, and I don't know anyone who did at that age.

If the child really needs prep on these tests to do well enough to get into these summer programs, the child is probably not the right candidate for these summer programs. I know I need a flame suit now, but really...

 

[crashbb]

I don't feel sorry for my kid. She has a mother who cares enough to know about deadlines and special educational programs that she should be taking advantage of. Unlike most parents who wait for them to be told what options are available for them (usually when its too late).

And I'd like to reiterate. I am not pushing my kid. I just wanted to see what other parents where doing.

And if those programs aren't right for her? Not all children are and thinking about prepping your child for them long before you can know if they are appropriate for her is rather alarming.

Like the PP, I do feel sorry for you child.

 

[crashbb]

If the child really needs prep on these tests to do well enough to get into these summer programs, the child is probably not the right candidate for these summer programs. I know I need a flame suit now, but really...

Perhaps we should just build a flame-proof bunker and both hide there.