<p>Ah, so all the humor has been extracted from this, and once again people are writing in about their terrible 28 ACT.</p>
<p>Smile, people</p>
<p>I’m smiling</p>
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<p>Yep. They were removed because they did measure cognitive ability and were thus “politically” controversial. I can also verify that the vocabulary bank used to be more difficult.</p>
<p>Responding to post 39.</p>
<p>Yes, it is a reasoning test. Interestingly, though, reasoning is a combination of ability and how one is directly taught to reason. Good schools, good classes, good teachers, do this, as does consciously chosen curriculum with a view to reasoning. To the extent that such schooling is uneven, even an extremely bright student cannot optimize his SAT score, even with retakes. However (in agreement with one or 2 other posters) test-taking strategies can be coached, and in that sense practice can improve the score, but especially if the score was quite low to begin with.</p>
<p>I’m beyond smiling. I’m lol-ing at this point.</p>
<p>Why is it so important to define what the SAT or the ACT really measure? Does it make any difference if the SAT measures reasoning abilities versus one of the known forms of intelligence? Do we spend the same time and energy to measure and analyze what a GPA really means? Does a high GPA reult from intelligence, ability to take tests, ability to reason, perfect attendance at school, a stable family with involved parents, and the list goes on. </p>
<p>At the end of the day, is it not simpler to prepare for the test and take it? Does it really help little Suzy to know that little Jonas DID increase his SAT scores by 300 points but that little LaShanna did not? </p>
<p>Here is a reality for you to consider. Over the years, there have been HUNDREDS of students who reported increases in scores after spending the necessary time to understand the test AND practice with the material that is available for a few dollars. I know this because many have taken the time to share the good news. And it would be a mistake to believe that the increases were only from a very low base to a slightly above average score. Of course, you do not have to believe me! </p>
<p>The statistics used by the College Board do indeed report that little gain derives from retaking the test. What is not clear is how much of an ADDITIONAL effort was made between retakes. Fwiw, I have no doubt that a student that merely retakes the test without a modicum of effort will score in the same ballpark. </p>
<p>At the end of the day, while some people are able to score very high on the SAT or ACT because they were blessed with inante abilities (high intelligence if you care to consider) or experience, most students do need more than the typical high school curriculum to do well (or very well) on the SAT. Actually many of the approaches taught in HS are counter-productive. There is no partial credit, no credit for showing your work, and most definitely not an extra-credit for perfect attendance or bringing apples to your favorite teacher (all elements that contribute to higher GPA at many schools.) </p>
<p>The SAT can indeed be coached, but it is a mistake to believe that the increases in scores result from uncovering the hidden secrets that are only known by high-prized SAT gurus. It is, however, a much bigger mistake to believe that doing well in high school will yield great results and that the high school gave a student all the tools to do well.</p>
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<p>Yeah. Wouldn’t want those kids from lousy schools taking up spots the privileged kids should have.</p>
<p>MSUdad–I will admit, I’m not entirely comfy with the humor of grown-ups yucking it up at the kids’ expense.</p>
<p>regarding post #44—I stopped believing a very long time ago that things that appear impossible are not surmountable. When someone wants something enough anything is possible…I watched my son boost his score in four months with hours of work everyday. Yes, he did still have a life but he also had a dream. He gained admission to a school that recognized the whole package when those in the “know” said it would be difficult to do. As I said earlier he will graduate this May from his school and if all goes as it has up to this point his GPA will be very close to perfect. People can do remarkable things and watching my son do this has made me believe that anyone with enough desire can stretch themselves to amazing limits. </p>
<p>I don’t think that any kids dream should be a laughing matter. In their world and at this time, it is the most important thing. Things may seem funny to us adults but to the kids at the time there is nothing funny about any of it.</p>
<p>Here was my S’s SAT experience. He took a short prep course over the summer but did no review between then and December and scored 2100. Retook in January again no review and scored lower but got his CR score into the coveted 700 range. Took a 3rd time in June, got the highest score of the 3 with minimal review this time Overall score up over 100 points from the first take but superscore still benefitted from the CR score of the 2nd test which had the worse single sitting score. Go figure. I think the review did help some, time and experience may have also helped. Above all I think what helped was me letting him sleep as late as possible and having a good breakfast ready for him to eat in the car for the drive to the test. I have wondered how he would have done if the test was given in the afternoon. He’s clearly not a morning person and breakfast and sleep are often underrated!</p>
<p>Okay, sorry. Thanks all for your contributions to my knowledge over the last three years. Best of luck to all of you.</p>
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<p>Beautifully said!</p>
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<p>That was my post, and in no way did it even imply that “things that appear impossible are not surmountable.”</p>
<p>^^^^
sorry epiphany— I should have printed a line between the first and second paragraph of the post. My response to you was in my first paragraph.</p>
<p>^ I realized that. Doesn’t matter. I disavow that my post 44 contradicts in any way a drive to surmount obstacles.</p>
<p>Don’t go away MSU dad. You’re smart.</p>
<p>I am all for SAT prep using those $20 books. Helped my kids a lot. Funny how kids will spend hundreds (thousands?) of hours on facebook/texting/phone/videogames, etc.— or even sports, band and other (worthwhile) ECs–but just can’t bring themselves to INVEST $20 and, say, 20-100 hours (depending on books they use, how thoroughly they read them, how many practice tests they take at 4 hours each, how thoroughly they go over mistakes. . .) in TRAINING themselves for the SAT. Not smart, IMO. And parents who don’t do what they can to “facilitate” this training when score-based scholarship $$ is at stake, well–not smart, either.</p>
<p>BTW–a 1900 SAT score is 88th percentile. 2100 is 97th percentile. It is unreasonable to expect all “A” students to have 2200+ (99th percentile). In most schools’ grading systems, an “A” is 90%+. I would say that counting those who work very hard but don’t test as well, it would be reasonable for “A” students to have scores around the 85th percentile or above. Yes, a red flag/grade inflation alert should come up for scores below 1800, but a score of 2000 IS in line with an “A” average.</p>
<p>My son did have the flu the first time he took the test. Not sure why he went but he was insistence. He got a 990/1600. This was a horrible score for him. The second time he took the test he got a 1340/1600. Big difference - so big that one of the admissions counselors at our state flagship asked him about it. </p>
<p>I haven’t read through the entire thread just wanted to encourage those kids that are really sick, etc. Your score can really improve.</p>
<p>I am celebrating xiggi’s point that the effort to prepare between retakes can make a huge difference. </p>
<p>Some seek out courses, others take advantage of the cottage industry in private SAT tutors who sit over students as they use the $20 self-help books. My son helped a family friend in NYC for many sit-down prep sessions. HE studied all the strategy books (e.g., how to use your “omits”) and downloaded that wisdom to her. After her retake, the Dad came to me with tears in his eyes. Her 200 overall point increase between retakes qualified her to apply to her state university rather than begin at community college. </p>
<p>Said differently, my own high-achieving kids, when asking this question, “if I retake, will it raise my SAT scores?” heard this answer from their GC and me, “not if you don’t study, it won’t.”</p>
<p>I recently studied for the GRE and my math went up almost 300 points from my first practice tests (which probably says more about my rusty math skills than anything else.)</p>
<p>My S didn’t “study” between SAT attempts, but looked at his answer sheet to see what he got wrong and why. What he realized was he’d been making dumb errors, mostly in computation. Three months later, his score went up 80 points through being more careful.</p>
<p>Good point, garland–the most important part of prepping is going over missed questions to see the types of mistakes made/types of questions missed/types of misleading wrong answers fallen for. Then you’ll be aware not to make the same kinds of mistakes again.</p>
<p>But best to take all the (cheap) practice tests before you take the real test for the first time. Then you’ll get the score you want and never have to pay for a retake.</p>