<p>Reporting from the west coast on the SAT today: word from D is that the CR was exceptionally difficult and that she’s very unsure of a number of answers. The vocabulary was fine, the writing was fine, the math was fine (except that it sounds like she fell for a trick or two) but the reading passages were really hard. Since CR is usually D’s strongest section by far and by that I mean she almost never misses a question, I’m hoping this means it will carry a generous curve. There was an experimental CR section in her test so with any luck that’s the one that gave her the most difficulty. In any event, this is clearly not going to be a “once and done” testing event. She’s already asked to sign up for a 2nd test. We’re not sure when that will be and now I’m considering asking her to check out the ACT. Bleh. </p>
<p>As for the essay, once again she did not have time to finish with a conclusion. She thinks that she wrote well though and that her thesis and body paragraphs were good. The examples she provided were sound. Since she’s not the type to think her work is “good”, that probably means that the caliber of her writing was excellent. No matter, I’m assuming that she will be dinged for the lack of conclusion. It would be very nice if she manages to eke out a 10.</p>
<p>D also said that she never wants to take the test at that location again. Apparently it was filled a bunch of hyper or hyper prepared kids who all finished early and were looking around at everyone else. Lol. I told her it doesn’t mean they did well. It just means they finished quickly and sometimes that works to your detriment.</p>
<p>We went out to lunch to celebrate/commiserate. H completely forgot that he was supposed to be interviewing a college applicant for his alma mater! The poor kid called him, wondering where he was and he had to race over to the Starbucks to meet him.</p>
<p>This was D’s second SAT. She took it last June pretty cold. She had studied math a bit but had not studied for CR or writing. Her writing score was a minor disaster. Her scores were okay but she thought she would have done better (with no studying?) so this time she was pretty good about studying.</p>
<p>3girls, D ran out of time during the essay. She said she got in a good conclusion sentence. I guess we’ll all find out in three weeks.</p>
<p>D has also taken the ACT twice (once last spring cold and last Saturday after studying). She really dislikes the SAT and much prefers the ACT. If D has to take the tests a third time, she’s just taking the ACT. I’m hoping D’s scores improved with studying enough to be done. (actually I’m just hoping her scores didn’t drop; her best friend found out he scored lower on his second try at the SAT)</p>
<p>D didn’t like the SAT either. She really didn’t like that it was broken into so many sections. I saw other posts about experimental sections. How would you know if you got one of those, and which section it was? It might be nice if the math section that she skipped a couple questions on was experimental. ;-)</p>
<p>She’s taking a break and meeting a friend for dinner now…It’s been homework all afternoon and more this evening and tomorrow. She’s still not feeling well (stress symptoms). But even under all that she has moments…she got all excited about a website that creates bibliographies for you, and some program she is using to make a presentation that is ‘much cooler’ than a power point.</p>
<p>shoboemom, that was another thing about the SAT D didn’t like, going back and forth between the different subject areas. In the ACT, you only take each subject once. After taking the math section, you’re done with math. </p>
<p>I hope your daughter’s stress level decreases now that the SAT is done.</p>
<p>Just want to share that D’s volleyball team won their playoff game last night. D got to play in every set and she did great! She had spent a lot of the season in the coach’s doghouse, mostly bc he kept playing her at a position that she’s not so good at. A couple of weeks ago a senior missed a game for a college visit and D got to play in her normal spot. She marched right out of the doghouse that day and has been in the lineup ever since. I’m so proud of her and I’m so proud of me for being patient and keeping my mouth shut lol. So another weekend of practice and getting up early. Semi-final game is Monday against the undefeated team where they will need some kind of miracle. Then she’ll have Tuesday off and club team tryouts Wed. night. A whole one day off lol!!</p>
<p>Congrats to all the test-takers today!! Have a (hypothetical or non-alcoholic) drink to celebrate!!</p>
<p>keepme…What is this “keeping your mouth shut” thing that you speak of? I am unfamiliar with the concept…and anyone who’s known me for the last 49 years will vouch for this completely. :)</p>
<p>Keepme good luck with volleyball- I know how hard it can be to keep your mouth shut! All of the test takers need to spend the next 19 days enjoying themselves and not worrying about the SAT scores- easier said than done I know. My daughter keeps insisting that she is taking each test once and that’s it. That won’t be happening LOL. The tutor keeps insisting that the CR gets harder every year- maybe he is right. </p>
<p>My daughter had a physics test that she did well on, but most of the class did not so he is giving another test on the subject and my kid has to take it. She says she will do well on the test but if not she will take the quarterly, which is a regents level test and replaces the lowest grade. I was kind of hoping that there would be no more tests this quarter- wishful thinking. </p>
<p>We went out to dinner ( fish LOL) and now she is back studying. I have never seen anything like this in my life. 3girls it sounds like your daughter held her own and did well on the essay.</p>
<p>keepme, congrats on the volleyball. Glad she got a chance to get out there and shine! It is so hard not to say something when things don’t seem to be going fairly for our kids. Things go on at the school…policies, etc. that I ‘question’ and I am so tempted to send off some emails, but most of the time I resist. lol</p>
<p>Congrats on the volleyball and good luck on the tryouts, keepme! I would have had a very hard time keeping my mouth shut but it is generally better to have restraint and it sounds like it worked out well here. Good for her!</p>
<p>Wolverine, what’s with these hypothetical or non-alcoholic drinks??? Oh, wait, you mean the kids? I think I was more in need of the drink than the kid.</p>
<p>Slackermom, D told me that after her 2nd critical reading section, she pulled out her calculator, ready to start math and looking forward to the change…only to find yet another critical reading section! That’s why she’s guessing that one of these had to be experimental. I think she likes the mixed up format but I can see easily that it can be harder to move back and forth. Older Ds much preferred getting one subject out of the way and moving on to the next. Eldest D actually enjoyed the reading portions, couldn’t deal with the math.</p>
<p>Mihcal, I wanted to thank you for your post. I think more about her general well being than about college too. I keep telling my husband that it’s vital to be self-directed and engaged by the time you get to the point of college because there isn’t the same kind of structure as in high school. People are much more involved in activities as part of their college education/experience. My eldest worked at her college newspaper, on her school’s ski team, and then in a series of internships. My middle joined a bazillion clubs and then ended up interning at an agency in the nearby city and running track. Their classes were just a part of their college experience–I’d call their activities co-curricular rather than extra-curricular. </p>
<p>I do want to clarify that she doesn’t just study and does have interests. She reads voraciously, she enjoys her music and violin, she is interested in science and literature and radiolab (lol). She has friends and like most teens, spends a good amount of time texting back and forth with them. The problem she faces is that she doesn’t like joining things and she hates being conspicuous. I was pleased that she started yoga and brought several of her friends with her to participate. Celeste, I LOVE the idea of trail restoration. Thanks for that suggestion.</p>
<p>3girls, I meant to add that outdoors people in general tend to be perceptive and respectful of others’ need for personal space, at least where we live. The various groups we’ve worked with have been wonderful this way. Matter of fact- they have to show you the equipment, give gloves and instructions about jobs. But not in your face"HIII, look who’s new here. Why don’t you introduce yourself and tell us about yourself and we’ll do the same? "with big smiles and pats on back. None of that. At various times one or two people might come over and say hello, ask how the work is going. They provide everything, snacks too. If you are clearly under 18 they might question a bit, to make sure you aren’t under court-order to do community service, since those kids require more supervision and they might insist on parent for that. But otherwise it’s very easy to just show up and pitch in. You can go to prairie seed gathering/planting, prescribed brush burns, whatever you like.</p>
<p>3girls I was always like your daughter. I remember in HS the GC and teachers were always very concerned about me because I was very quiet and did not like to make myself visible. They did not understand how I chose a college with 25,000 kids. To this day I do not enjoy parties with large crowds, and I hate being the center of attention. I avoid it when possible and prefer going out with one or two people, tops. The fact that your daughter joined yoga with her friends is a step in a positive direction. </p>
<p>Well instead of being " one and done" my kid is going to be " two and through." I just signed her up for the Jan SAT and Feb ACT in addition to the December tests. I decided I did not want to get closed out of testing sights because there are only 2 schools in my county giving the SAT in January and the ACT is not given at all in NYS in February which means we will be fighting for space with the NJ and CT kids. I think it’s fine because I doubt she will get a perfect score on her December tests LOL. Even if her scores are " good enough" she will take them again. I will be very happy with " good enough."</p>
<p>Glad to hear that nobody got crushed by the SAT yesterday. keepme, congratulations to your D!</p>
<p>Hey 3g3c, your D might be surprised by her score on CR. After my D took the test, she said that was the hardest section and she was worried about her score on that. Lo and behold, when she received her scores, the CR score was her highest. So you never know!</p>
<p>I predict some kids here (and parents) will be surprised by their great SAT scores in several weeks. </p>
<p>Question - Does SAT math II allow calculator? Same kind with general SAT? I know SAT physics and chem don’t allow calculator. But somehow I have impression that SAT subject math I and II both allow calculator. Can someone confirm, or give me a link? Thanks!</p>
<p>We also would like to hear from those of you who have taken SAT II math - any tips for study and test to offer? Thanks! Also the calculator question above.</p>
<p>Maxwell, you are way ahead of me. I assume this is the year to take the subject test (after pre-calc?) but I was thinking more along the lines of May or June. </p>
<p>Celeste, I hear you! D hates those “icebreaker” activities and introductions and would be much more comfortable with that low key approach that I agree, seems to be more common with outdoors organizations. I did some looking and there’s a lot of great activity around here! Forget about her, I’m interested in being involved. </p>
<p>Suzy, I can only hope. It’s not the end of the world whatever it is.</p>
<p>CB has one math 2 practice test in their big blue subject test book. Then they sell a thinner book with just math practice tests, 2 each of math 1 and math 2.</p>
<p>Barrons Math 2 is very good, maybe a bit overhard practice tests, but no harm in that. Their practice tests’ grading charts allow you to categorize problems by type to see what kind of problems you are missing, so can focus efforts in further study. Their books are very well written in general, or maybe just appeal to people like D and me. Love ALL their books. ACT 36 and SAT 2400 are great reads, full of strategy tips and gung ho can-do attitude.</p>
<p>Chungs has some good math tips in the chapters, and good problems there also. D didn’t care much for Chungs practice tests.</p>
<p>D got a great score practicing with these materials and though you have to do the CB practice tests, I credit it all to Barrons. Ditto for ACT/SAT. Barrons is the best.</p>
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