Any disadvantage to taking SAT as a 9th Grader?

20 hours of study is linked to 115 point increase. So call it a waste if you want, but 115 can be the difference between getting in and not. And 20 hours does not get in the way of doing other things in HS.

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Tests are not equal and that is within range. I dont think my kids did “the best” on practice tests but that is because they never bothered to go back and review questions on practices, but you still learn where the gaps are or your range.

You need to relearn your statistics.

The boost for scores at the mean is NOT the same as the boost for scores at the tail end. A kid with a 780 can study for 100 hours and never get your theoretical increase- because it’s not mathematically possible.

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This is incorrect. See the NMSC website instructions for semifinalists, page 17

Thank you. I think they changed that rule during covid where you could use previous ones, but they went back.

I wouldn’t have a 9th grader take it. it’s just weird and it’s sending the wrong message and buying into the broken system.
and how do you think the 11th and 12th graders in school will feel seeing him there taking it with them?

What does your kid want to do?

Frequently as parents we get ahead of ourselves and start talking about things our kids have ZERO interest of doing. I see this all the time talking with parents in person. At least then I get to actually SEE their kids shaking their heads. That’s usually the cue to stop talking because an uniterested kid will not do anything.

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The SAT is online now and taken at a testing site I believe so what others in the school may think seeing a younger student take the exam should not be an issue (I wouldn’t think that should be a significant concern in any event). However, as I noted upthread, I see no advantage of taking the SAT early. Top colleges are looking for smart, engaged, active students and not academic drones.

oh- I’m showing my age. less of an issue if it’s online. I still wouldn’t recommend it but I don’t feel as strong about it, for all the reasons you mentioned.

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While online, the logistics are largely the same.

Does he have an interest in taking the SAT? My kid took it just for the experience (in 7th & 9th grades) but back then the tests were in-person at a high school, so just physically experiencing what that setting was like was an element we thought would be helpful. And the scores were too “old” to be used as confirming scores for the NM/PSAT so they took the SAT again in 11th grade.

One thing my kid noticed was that the SAT in math is more geared to a more typical math progression, so the math part was actually easier in some ways in the younger grades since my kid had already covered (10th grade) Geometry and (11th grade) Alg 2 by 8th grade. By the time they were in 11th grade and doing mostly calculus, they had to review a lot more of the “old” material in order to prep for the math portion of the SAT.

If he wants to take it, I wouldn’t discourage it (well, obviously I didn’t with my kid) because I do think it’s helpful for a student to experience the mechanics of taking the test without the pressure of having to perform well on it. So at least that factor doesn’t have to be a stressor for the real sitting since they know what to expect.

Agree. No one cares. I’ve been to these tests. There are middle school students there and absolutely nobody cares. Everyone is focused on their own test.

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So well said! Try hard not to let college admissions prep take over your (or your child’s life.

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That is still the case. The only difference is they answer on the computer instead of paper.

That is what the PSAT is for, and they already took it. Will probably take it again next year. And then again in 11th.

Actually that is not the only difference - the new digital tests are shorter by 1 hour (new are 2 and old were 3), only 2 sections instead of 4, shorter reading passages on digital SATA, adaptive questions on digital SAT and you can use calculator on entire math section. Regardless, my recommendation to not start on SAT or ACT prep this early stands
so many kids have burnout and are just over it all by 12th grade (I’ve seen this is very bright and motivated kids)- not the best way to start college. IMHO it really does send the wrong message.

I realize that. I was referring to the logistics of the test.

Time window for accepted SAT/ACT confirmation scores is start of 10th grade (August '21) to middle of 12th grade (Dec '23) for the 2024 National Merit Scholarship program.
My S26 took the SAT last week after a good score on the PSAT 10. He was confident, likes the digital format, and had a rare open weekend
 plus he was worried about getting rusty on the math

“AUTHORIZED TEST ADMINISTRATIONS (2024 NM Scholarship Program)
Only scores earned on administrations of the SAT or ACT from August 2021 through December 2023 will be considered by NMSC. NMSC will not accept scores from a test administration taken earlier than August 2021 or later than December 2023.”

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Yeah, I was wrong about that. I just thought a covid rule was a permanent thing, when it was not.
I still think there is no harm taking the SAT as a freshman. It’s a good experience to have. I took my first SAT May of somphmore year (got 1260) and it was a low stakes experience to help me learn when it is like. Then I built my score to 1480 in a couple more attempts after that one using the data from that first test. Got into all great schools. No harm in taking it early unless time and money are a concern, of course.

I would say take as often as he wants. More he takes, it will get easier (at some points, scores won’t get better.) As any tests, it doesn’t necessary measure what he knows, it’s just one way to quantify him for college entrance. Good luck!