Parents of the HS Class of 2015

[crepes]

We're back from Meet the Teacher night at D's school and I feel stressed out.

--They're taking the PSAT in school on Oct 17. The first thing we were handed as we walked in the door was the PSAT/NMSQT official booklet. We had a session with the Guidance counselor who told us "You have to make sure that your child knows to take the test seriously."

--The Chemistry teacher told us to get the Barron's review book within a couple of months so they can start reviewing for the SAT II in June.
--The History teacher said that they are preparing for the SAT II World History in June.
--The Math teacher said that the stronger students in the class (and D has been performing strongly since 6th grade) will be taking the SAT II Math 1 in June.

D already took the SAT II Bio last June, got a 680 and will retake it Oct 6. How many SAT IIs does she need? I was looking at the "Chance me" threads and a lot of people have just 2. It looks like D will have 4 by the end of Sophomore year, and the English teacher said that they're taking SAT Lit at the end of Junior year. So that's 5 SAT IIs! I don't know, does this sound like SAT II overkill?

[3girls3cats]

sunnydayfun--Algebra 2 honors at D's school is reputed to be the hardest math class offered at the school. Even those who have a good grasp on the material can struggle in this class because there's such an emphasis on creative problem solving. D hasn't had her first test yet but we've heard all the warnings. I wonder if your son is in the same situation.

Pinot Noir, that's funny! It's exactly the sort of thing my kid would do.

SansSerif, my D just had a history test and freaked out the night before. Hysterical crying, "I can't remember it all, it's too much"...no results yet but when I asked how it went, she shrugged, oh fine, I think I got full credit. Chemistry produced no such reaction beforehand, it all seemed just fine while she was studying but the test was, umm, not so fine.

[mihcal1]

my D just had a history test and freaked out the night before. Hysterical crying, "I can't remember it all, it's too much"...no results yet but when I asked how it went, she shrugged, oh fine

Consider it practice for when she goes away to college. She'll call you homesick and in tears, or nervous about an upcoming exam, or fretting about an argument with her roommate. And then you won't hear back from her for days, and you'll be worried sick. So you'll call her up to ask her about it ... and she won't even remember that it ever happened.

[PinotNoir]

crepes - I'm with you, that seems a little ridiculous. Maybe the teachers all meant that they gear the course material to prepare the student for the SAT II test if the student chooses to take it? Please tell me this isn't some kind of requirement?

A couple general things about the SAT II's. First, I wouldn't recommend taking three in one sitting. It's a long morning, and I think the third test will suffer for it. My oldest two are really good test takers - no stress, etc. - and they always agreed that it would give diminished returns to take a third test in one morning. I can see some situations where it's necessary, but certainly not at the end of Sophomore year.

Second, there's no reason for her to take Math I - EVER. If a student wants to take a math SAT II and hasn't taken PreCalc yet, and they're running out of time (i.e., it's the end of junior year) then they should probably take Math I. Other than that, wait and take Math II after Pre Calc. It's got a MUCH better curve.

So that's 5 SAT IIs! I don't know, does this sound like SAT II overkill?

Yeah - sounds like your school is a little test crazy. Most colleges don't require SAT II's. Most "selective" colleges require a maximum of 2 (some don't require any, but get impressed by high scores you report as an option). The only one I know of that requires 3 is Georgetown (do they still - anyone?). Most that require them don't tell you which ones to take, but some have some requirements, like "Math plus another test," or "one math/science, one humanities," so it's possible that your D may end up applying to schools that in combination require a total of three tests to have the right two to submit to different schools.

As far as taking the PSAT seriously, this is sophomore year - tell the school to take a chill pill! I think it's good for them to send the message, but at this point it should sound like,"when you take it junior year, high scores may result in being named a National Merit Semi Finalist. So when you take it this year, don't stress out about it, but don't blow it off either, because your score may help you figure out if you're within striking distance of the cut off for NMSF next year."

It really sounds like it's going to be important for you to do your research (aka, keep hanging around CC) and know what's important and what's not, so that you can keep your D on an even keel while the school tries to stress her out!

[3girls3cats]

My older daughter does that all the time! She's a senior in college and I still get those teary phone calls when she thinks everything is in crisis. I've learned not to do what I used to do with her, which is to lie awake with twisted innards, haha. It plays out exactly as you describe: the next time I talk to her she's forgotten the issue, resolved it and moved on days ago.

The challenge with this youngest one is that I have a hard time mustering the energy to deal with her storms in a measured and constructive way.

[3girls3cats]

Crepes, do you think it's possible that the teachers are offering the option to take the SAT 2 but aren't expecting that all the kids will take all three? At my older girls' school, students and parents were atwitter at the end of the year when the Chem SAT 2 was raised at the last minute and there hadn't been any discussion on what was necessary to be successful on the test. Apparently there was at least one area covered on the exam that wasn't covered in the course and kids had to scramble to learn the material while also preparing for finals.

But yes, 3 SAT subject tests is overkill. It seems that the most competitive schools require 2 or the ACT and that only Georgetown still "strongly encourages" 3 tests. (I'd rule that school out for that alone ) Guidance / 2012/2013 List of Schools Requiring/Recommending SAT Subject Tests

I'm not sure what your school is trying to convey about the PSAT. Take it seriously? What does that mean? I'd rather they counsel the kids and parents not to worry too much about it and at most to get some basic familiarity with the structure and content of the test.

[suzy100]

Does Georgetown offer merit aid? If not, I think D will be taking just 2 SATIIs.

D2 (who is in 7th grade) has been invited by her school to take the PSAT, so if she wants to, she'll be taking it with D1/15. Weird.

[Gibson1514]

No merit aid at Georgetown. Hence, d1 didn't apply.

3 SAT subject tests are enough. I second the comment on not sitting them all at one sitting. I think i may suggest d15 takes the AP world in the spring.

[Maxwellequations]

When a college requires 2 or 3 SAT subject tests, do you specify which test for which major? or just any two? I assume if D. takes to subject tests, one should be in math/sciences, one should be in social sciences? She is most likely not going to major science - still trying to make up her mind. but probably either law or business.

[PinotNoir]

Maxwell - it really depends on the school, although I think most don't specify certain ones to take. I had one S submit Math II and US HIstory, and the other one submitted Math II and Physics. But you really have to look at the college's requirements.

[mihcal1]

^^^ the requirements can vary by program within a college, too. E.g., many engineering programs request a math subject test. (Makes sense. If you're not fairly strong at math, you probably aren't a good candidate for engineering. )

[tripleamom]

Upenn requires a chemistry SAT II fo Nursing and math for engineering.Stanford requires atleast 2.

3girls3cats,same here with my D,the day before here AP Euro test.She doen't stress out for other test including AP Bio.Maybe its the amount of reading and remembering that goes into it.

[sbjdorlo]

Popping in on this thread. DS, 2105, and I saw Owl City tonight. That was so much fun! (But sooo loud) It was a nice diversion from school, cello, and speech and debate. :-)

[Maxwellequations]

Thanks, PN.

She's taking two APs this year. we are thinking maybe after the AP exams, she can take the SATs in the same two subjects. But I don't want her take more than what she needs. So we should find out which school she wants to go and which major? it's kind of hard here, since she is still undecided.

[PinotNoir]

Maxwell - It doesn't all need to be figured out right now. Just assume that if she's going to apply to some selective schools, she will need or want to have 2 SAT II test scores to report. There's lots of time. In the end, she'll take the tests that match her strengths and interests, and those will probably be relevant to what she's going to end up studying, so it will probably work itself out neatly.

We try to have all the testing done by the end of junior year. It makes fall of senior easier, and as you're finalizing college lists, it's nice to already know the scores. But there is time in fall of senior year to take tests, so even that is a soft goal.

I don't see any harm in having her take the SAT II test at the end of the year in the AP courses she's taking (what is she taking?), with two exceptions. 1) if she's is stressed out at the end of the year, and the test are looming over her head and making her feel more stressed out, you need to figure out if it's really worth it. 2) a few schools (just tippy top ones) don't allow score choice, so any test a student has a score in has to be repeated. I'm not sure it matters or would actually keep a kid out who otherwise would be admitted (prob not), but it's something to be aware of.

Bottom line - really, don't feel like you need to know what schools she's applying to now. Just taking challenging courses and doing well is keeping her on track.