College Board offers summer SAT only for elite prep class kids

[maggiedog]

Again, it's the lack of Summer options for taking the test that is the problem, not the availability of test prep. There is a May and June test available in the Spring. That's it. Most Juniors have the option of taking EITHER the May or June SAT I, since they need to reserve the other time for the SAT IIs. Yes, some may have taken the SAT I in Jan. or Mar., but sometimes that is not always possible. Or maybe they want to take it a second time.

The benefit of offering Summer test-taking options would give those kids who are overworked in the Spring of their Junior year a choice about taking time to study or prepare in the Summer. It would also give them another time to take the SAT IIs before they completely forgot what they learned.

[ttparent]

I think I understand very well. Somehow you think this special type of test is different than other test that the only way to do it is this?

[menloparkmom]

"I'm not sure that you understand the concept of a 'test run', ttparent. "

the Collegeboard has NEVER before had to do a "TEST RUN" before when adding a testing date. It is not like trying to fly a new plane that has never flown before. Its NOT ROCKET SCIENCE. Its the SAME test . This is just their way of trying to "justify it" from a PR standpoint. It's backfired on them badly and NOW they are trying to cover their tracks and call it a "test run " . give me a break .............

[samiamy]

Ahh the test run, just like they did the test run on writing section few years ago. Its not rocket science, offer the test to all kids in the summer.

[SlitheyTove]

So...an inner city, barely-functioning high school filled with crime will be just as cheating-free as an educational summer camp that was likely vetted by the CB beforehand?

Interesting theory. Effective cheating on the SAT (or ACT) relies on having access to someone who will do well on the test. You'd want to hire someone with a proven track record:

The Perfect Score: Cheating on the SAT - CBS News

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/02/ed...pagewanted=all

According to prosecutors, principals, parents and teenagers here on Long Island’s Gold Coast, it was common knowledge at some of the nation’s most prestigious high schools that if you had the money, you could find someone with a sharper vocabulary and a surer grasp of geometry to fill in the blanks for you.

[Bay]

for me, I would forego all the Junior test dates and let my kids start taking the test in the summer. Probably, July for SAT 2s and August as the first SAT 1. October and November would be my backups. Yes it is just hypothesis.

This is probably what we would have done, as well.

I'll admit I have a lot of pent-up rage about SAT testing already, much of it due to the limited dates offered, which for all 3 of my kids conflicted with something very important during the school year, resulting in a tremendous amount of stress. Like others, my kids also had demanding academics and were sleep deprived.

[xiggi]

A particular SAT test date should not restricted to a few students, regardless of whether they can afford the "privilege of the elite test prep camp.

Again, there are plenty of SAT test dates that ARE restricted to specific classes of students, starting in middle school. There are students who take the test on Sunday versus Saturday. One could make the case that this offers a much "rested" environment with a lazy Saturday to recuperate from the sleep deprivation of the week. Note that I am only half serious regarding the "rested" part. It only offers the opportunity to scout the wen and the underground for the latest discussions of what was tested on Saturday. Then you have the weekday tests offered to the extra timed students. Those administaration offer a very distinct environment from the Saturday's testing.

As an additional comment about sleep deprivation, have you considered installing a timer on your internet connection. TCB is hardly the culprit. FB is ... as in Facebook. In my book, sleep deprivation might be tracked to procrastinating and wasting time on our new social realm. Want your kids to sleep more? Take the iPhone and iPads away until all homework is done, and then cut the internet access off. Seriously.

As far as problems scheduling the SAT, this is a huge canard. Another one. During high school, there are 28 possible dates. While all might not be attractive, scheduling problems are a matter of poor administration and ... again, procrastination. The issue here is that the SAT might be offered too ... many times. Give students too many choices, and they will waffle about it forever.

Now, to give some credit to the parents, I also know that forcing students to take the SAT WHEN THEY SHOULD is not easy. As an example, and despite my repeated efforts, I never could get my younger cousins to pay attention and get them all done in their junior year. And, yes, I heard all the BS excuses about having to participate in EC, do homework, play sports, and devote all the needed attention to the usually moronic demeasured attention to the APs.

When all is said done, most students curriculum IS a very poor match to their ambitions. Spending time to collect a dozen AP trophies will NEVER undo the impact of a poor or lopsided SAT or ACT score. Yet, students will postpone and postpone taking the SAT, for the mere fact ... that the test is offered on a Saturday morning!

Think about it!

[Bay]

My kids were not allowed to use FB or go on the internet or watch TV at all Mon- Thu, so that theory doesn't fly with us.

I heard all the BS excuses about having to participate in EC, do homework, play sports, and devote all the needed attention to the usually moronic demeasured attention to the APs.

Some of us may feel that the "BS" adjective applies more aptly to the SAT than everything else you mentioned.

[xiggi]

for me, I would forego all the Junior test dates and let my kids start taking the test in the summer. Probably, July for SAT 2s and August as the first SAT 1. October and November would be my backups. Yes it is just hypothesis.

While trying to avoid sounding condescending, I am afraid that this position is the basis for most of the scheduling conflicts for standardized tests. It is a risky and ineffective way to attack the problem. Summer is indeed the best time (and probably all that is needed) to prepare for the SAT, but NOT the summer between junior and senior year. It should be the year before.

There are NO reasons for a student to delay the SAT as none of the material covered in the last two years of HS are covered. The test is at best at the 9th grade level.

All the final SAT and ACT tests should be taken in the first 6-7 months Junior year, leaving the rest of the HS to suffer the AP/IB syndrome, and work on the applications.

[xiggi]

Some of us may feel that the "BS" adjective applies more aptly to the SAT than everything else you mentioned.

Care to explain what you mean by that comment? Go for it, I am not the owner of the SAT nor work for the College Board. And I have a thick skin!

But before you do, please note that this paragraph should be read in the right context, namely that the BS excuses were my cousins'!

As an example, and despite my repeated efforts, I never could get my younger cousins to pay attention and get them all done in their junior year. And, yes, I heard all the BS excuses about having to participate in EC, do homework, play sports, and devote all the needed attention to the usually moronic demeasured attention to the APs.

[TXArtemis]

Respectfully, xiggi, you've become an adult! You are out of touch with the teenage brain, psyche and concept of time when you suggest they shouldn't "cram" but instead view test prep as a long-term process of skill development. Test takers are always going to study right before the test!


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[Lakemom]

Right with you xiggi on scheduling. After consulting parents and students on cc and having 4 pages of comments and thank yous for bring up the topic, my son took his first SAT in Dec Jr. Year. Retook the SAT in March. APs done in May. Subtests done in June. DONE.

[ttparent]

"All the final SAT and ACT tests should be taken in the first 6-7 months Junior year, leaving the rest of the HS to suffer the AP/IB syndrome, and work on the applications. "

You can't tell me what would work for me and my kids if you try. My kids did study the summer before junior year. They did take SAT during junior year, and both of my kids did the best by far on the October test during senior year after summer SAT study. My point is why even force feed your idea on people, any scheduled test should be available to everyone. It is their job to figure out what works best for them and take it then.

[xiggi]

TXArtemis, I respect your opinion, although I am lot less disengaged than you might think. I also agree that the biggest common denominator of poor success on the SAT is usually relying on cramming and procrastinating. My conclusions are not based on a datapoint of ONE, but on plenty of personal experience.

My comments are not made to discount the opinions of others. This said, I believe that I have formed an educated opinion of what works and what does not work that well for this precise subject.

[xiggi]

You can't tell me what would work for me and my kids if you try. My kids did study the summer before junior year. They did take SAT during junior year, and both of my kids did the best by far on the October test during senior year after summer SAT study. My point is why even force feed your idea on people, any scheduled test should be available to everyone. It is their job to figure out what works best and take it then.

Aren't you mixing a couple of issues here?

1. Do I agree that the test should be available to all? Yes
2. Do I agree that it should be available in the summer, and to everyone? Yes and Yes
3. Do I think that EVERYONE should be done by the end of the Junior year? No
4. Do I think that is is best to TRY to get them all done in Junior yes? Absolutely ... Yes.

and this for the fifth reason

5. If you schedule the test for the Senior year, your chances to run out of options increase, and so are your chances to be more nervous about the NEED to do well, or even sending the scores on time for early admissions.

And, fwiw, I am not force feeding this to anyone. Just trying to help others avoiding mistakes, and spending a few months agonizing about what should have taken place.

Read this forum for as long as I have, and you will see plenty of April and May regrets, and plenty of advice of parents to the following generations, including ... if I had to do it again, I would .......