MSMDAD

I don't want to start a new thread regarding this, but I would appreciate any advice on how to gently prepare a 7th grader for the ACT. Would any of you advise a specific book/software, or should I consider registering her for one of the mini courses that Princeton or similar companies offer? The goal, to be clear, is for her to have as pleasant of an experience as possible taking the test, and I don't think that she should go in and take the test "cold".

Here are some particulars: D2 has been contacted by one of the talent programs and has registered to take the ACT in February (BTW, she had the option of taking either the SAT or ACT, and her sister, MSM, advised her to take the ACT).

tokenadult

All I recommend by way of preparation is reading a lot and doing at least one genuine full-length practice test under test time limits for practice. It's possible to do much more, but that's probably counterproductive at that age. Everyone agrees that NO ONE should cram the night before the test or review just before the test begins on test day, and yet I have seen parents drilling their children one more time on test day at Talent Search test centers. The evening before the test should be fun and relaxing and entirely unrelated to the test.

UNEPgirl

7th - 27 ACT (30E, 22M, 30R, 27S I think)
11th - 33 (36E, 28M, 36R, 30S)
12 - 34 (36E, 33M, 36R, 32S)

In prepping your D for the ACT, I'd say make sure she is familiar with the format of the test (a practice test, as tokenadult said), so that she isn't completely "cold," but don't overdo it. It's an interesting measure, and a good experience for when she takes the test "for real" in hs, but you don't want her to grow up too fast (just speaking from experience/watching other people). I do think that ACT was a good choice - I was glad I took that instead of the SAT at that age.

wizenheim

7th: 25 (22 English, 24 Math, 27 Reading, 26 Science)
10th: 35 (35 English, 36 Math, 35 Reading, 35 Science)

aliekat

My son is a 7th grader and just took the ACT as part of the Duke TIP.

7th: 26 (26 English, 25 Math, 31 Reading, 22 Science)

MSMDAD

aliekat,

Congrats to you and your son. That is an excellent score for a 7th grader. Can you share how he prepared for the ACT?

eg1

I also recommend making sure your child is familiar with the test format. My daughter took the ACT for CTY with absolutely no prep and did quite well on it, but her math was low relative to her other scores. After talking with her about the test, I realized she was thrown by the way the questions were being asked, but that she knew the underlying math. She did a few practice tests, and she took the SAT and received a much better percentile ranking in math. Her inexperience with the test didn't seem to be as much of a factor with the English and treading sections.

J'adoube

This tests at this age are called above level testing. The whole idea is NOT to prep, not even be familiar with the test. It's more of a diagnostic tool and if you do well you can go to your school and ask for (demand if necessary) placement in higher level classes with something to back you up. In our area it is offered to the students that have scored in the top 5% of grade level testing, and for many it is the first indication (on paper) that the child is HIGHLY gifted. All the courses you can take afterwards at the different centers are very nice, but very expensive. The least you'll get out of the experience is familiarity with the test. Like they told our children: "there are no good or bad scores, you should all be proud you are in the top 5%."

S: 630 CR/700 M 7th grade
760 CR/800 M/800 W 11th grade

If you want to know more Google Above Level Testing and go to the DUKE TIP site

eg1

That was my original feeling, until I realized she'd missed/skipped many questions on topics she was very familiar with. Now, I feel that knowing what to expect is reasonable. Also, I think these tests are very long for kids this young, and I am amazed that the kids have the stamina to sit through them. But, despite my fears, that did not seem to be an issue for my daughter. Still, I can imagine it being a problem for some kids and having a negative effect on their scores - unrelated to their actual abilities.

eg1

Now - I got an email today through a homeschooling organization I belong to with information on this program:

Prepme.com

I guess I'm not surprised, but this is the sort of prep that I would consider WAY over the top. I guess some group saw a way to make money, though.

Lightheaded

7th: 680V/700M
8th: 720V/760M
11th: 640V/730M LOL

yygg

My son just got his ACT scores : C30 (R35 M34 E+W 26 S27).
He was surprised to see his reading score higher than his math score as he is active in math competitions.

darnfancylettuce

7th M: 530 V: 530 1060

9th PSAT: M:720 W:670 CR: 620 2100
11th PSAT: M:800 W:730 CR:700 2230
11th SAT: M:680 (***, mate?) W:780 CR:690 2150

I will be very impressed if you can find a pattern.

rb9109

7th grade: 800M, 560CR (old SAT, 1360)
8th grade: 800M, 690CR, 690W (new SAT, 2180)
9th grade PSAT: 80M, 68CR, 73W (221)
10th grade PSAT: 80M, 78CR, 71W (229)
11th grade PSAT: 80M, 79CR, 75W (235)
11th grade SAT: 800M, 800CR, 800W

For the most part, a nice and steady upward progression.

citybirds27

hey how exactly did you just from 68 CR to 78CR rb9109? i rally need some advice on teh CR