Consolation

My son's 7th grade SATs:
690V, don't recall M but it was high enough to qualify for distance learning courses thru CTY but about 10 points below the score required to enroll in summer science/math courses.
Eventual SATs:
800 CR, 730M, 780W

He never did any prep. He went to CTY for 4 years and loved it. He also took a distance course in math.

Barfly, conventional wisdom says that the ACT is more straightforward than the SAT and less inclined to include tricky questions. My suggestion would be to have him take a look at a couple sections of each and see if he finds one more fun that the other.

IloveLA

Did your older boys take both tests; and do better on one vs. the other? Maybe that's an indicator.
Many people on CC say the ACT is a better test of what you've actually learned-- which might make the SAT a better test for a 7th grader. Would they accept the results of a second test if you took it outside the talent search process?

Barfly

Thanks for the good advice, Consolation and ILoveLA. His oldest brother did great on PSAT and ACT, less well on SAT. I did better on ACT many moons ago. Middle brother is a sophomore, so no data there. Anyway, family history suggests ACT might be a better choice. I will keep that in mind, then have him take Consolations advice and try a few questions from each and see which he finds more fun! "Fun-ness" would be a great tie-breaker.

I'm not concerned about whether his results will make him elligible for courses, etc., because I just don't think he would be interested at this time in his life. If it doesn't involve a ball, he tunes it out!

dragonboy

My S took at the beginning of 8th before he turned to 13.
700M / 760CR
both were qualified for CTY SET.

MSMDAD

Barfly, I would recommend the ACT without the writing section. It is shorter than the SAT, and you want your son to have a good first experience with this type of test.

IloveLA

MSM has a good point.

h0pp3r

1830 as a seventh grader... 2280 as a junior in high school.. Woo

treeloop

about to take tests for duke tip. wondering if I get anything from JHU even though its duke. hope i do good.

owlice

Treeloop, remember that the test is an above-grade level test for you; don't be freaked out if you don't know things on it. It's to "level-set." Since you've been testing at the top of age/level appropriate tests, the SAT will be a better measure for you.

I'm pretty sure you can get on a mailing list for CTY stuff if you request it from them, and you can always check out the CTY website.

Good luck and have fun!