I am not an expert on what type of prep is best but I will say that for most kids going from a good score to a great score will require a significant amount of time. S19 put in a lot of time – most of it on his own – taking practice tests and reviewing mistakes. He did NOT cram and in fact made a point of not studying at all the last few days before each test. Definitely made a difference. Kaplan is not free. S19 liked their PSAT prep but found their ACT/SAT prep lacking. He found the best results self-studying.
Have not figured out what will work best for S20. Time is ticking though so I guess we had better decide!
I think it depends on why their scores are low. Slow reading speed? Teaching them coping strategies can help. Missing some skills? Prep will help. Lacking in multiple areas or cannot work fast enough no matter how much self-prep they have done? Unlikely to pull their score up that much.
The higher the score, the harder it is to gain those extra pts.
@Mom2aphysicsgeek - that was my point - S19 had a very good score from the get go on practice tests (ACT 31) but getting to the next level is hard. The higher up you go the less forgiving the test. To get those top notch score requires really knowing not just all of the content but the test itself. Some kids can do that without prep but that wasn’t my kid.
From experience of my 2 kids, I think the most important factor is the desire of the student. They need to want it badly and prepare like it is their one chance. I also think that is the disadvantage of taking the tests early. There are still so many chances later on, it is hard to focus and feel that desire…
Yes - S19 was highly motivated. He had decided he wouldn’t apply to his two top choices unless ACT was 34+. I guess it worked - he took it December of 11th grade and got a 36. It was nice to be done and have him skip scheduled February test.
DS got SAT results last night and he did very well. Said he may take again this time next year to super score, but at least the pressure is off. Taking the ACT today. Didn’t really prep specifically for it hoping the SAT prep will be enough. Not sure how he’ll fit in time for PSAT prep now that school’s started.
Junior year is starting off pretty good. Finally got his schedule figured out. He decided to add Organic Chemistry so he’ll have 8 classes.
@socaldad2002 Good luck with the tutor. We’ve only ever done the local CC, which was far cheaper than the test prep centers, so I’m interested to hear how it goes.
Started the summer programs search. Information is posted on some websites already. DS is hoping for an internship/research opportunity but he’ll have to apply to multiple and hope something comes thru.
@carpoolingma Congratulations to your DS on test results and being able to call it done!
I’m not sure how much of DS’s SAT prep will still be with him for next month’s PSAT. Plus for our state, according to comparison tables of SAT to PSAT scores, he’s just at the low end for NM. He may need to practice more on Khan Academy. He says they’re linked so it can show him what he needs to work on. Anyone know how that works?
@SoccaMomma@carpoolingma congratulations! DS didn’t get his target scores but I am really satisfied, and I agree that the pressure is off. He is now prepping for Math II subject in October and will do Physics Subject in June of next year. And EBRW was his weaker area so he will do more practices on Khan. @SoccaMomma
I just asked DS, he said Khan Academy already has his SAT results (mistakes and areas to improve), you don’t need to do anything to link them. It is automatic! Past PSAT results are also linked with Khan so you could in theory do targeted practice that are based on areas most need improvement. HTH.
DS class 2020 is such a mix bag. Sharp as a tack with his 1470 summer SAT, but his 2.96 gpa blunts any real aspirations. DS read Harry Potters in 2nd grade and has spent last nine years at war with adult teaching world.
He is taking Calc 2 at local university, having gotten A in Calc 1. His HS has him at their algebra 2 due to his lack of following teachers instructions back in 7th grade. We get its weird with his HS having him low level math while he is simultaneously fast tracking higher math at university. We kept him in the HS algebra class this term as it is the HS graduation requirement. Next term he will likely just go to university for math.
The PSAT looms large for DS as a top score 220 si or higher can qualify him for full tuition as a NMSF at several big state schools. Unfortunately, his poor gpa and lethargic HS efforts make NMF not even a wildest dream. A miss on the psat will land son in our small local university while a strong score could get him to a big state school which might accept him with a NMSF tuition waiver.
It’s stressful to see so much riding for DS on a single day of testing, but DS has dug himself into the hole he is in.
@sekere62
Wow, can’t believe your DS’ hs would put him in algebra 2 class when he is already doing calculus 2! How could they expect him to “follow” (!) teacher’s instruction now, he most likely could teach the class! SMH
We are in a very high NMSF cut off state, DS’ sophomore PSAT is 219, while the cutoff has been 222 for the past two years. The schools he really wants to go don’t really give money based on NMF but DS thinks it will be nice to get it. Hope it is motivating enough for him to do better on PSAT.
@SoccaMomma@carpoolingma@makemesmart@sekere62 Congrats to your DCs on happy SAT result !!! Pressure off standard testing is a great feeling…especially for the pressure cooker Junior year!!!
@SoccaMomma Is your DS interested in a Chemistry related field? It is impressive to take Orgo Junior HS! Also good luck with ACT!
@sekere62 Why 7th grade behavior carries over into HS course assignment? Anyone more authoritative at his HS can be consulted for the situation? It is odd to have reached Calc 2 level but has to be stuck in an algebra class.
I just had a small talk with DS last night to ask him to review a bit EBRW for PSAT ( and make sure to double, triple check the bubbles) if he wants the glory of NMSF ( he patiently waited for me to finish explaining what NMSF is) Then he gave me the signature “okay” and promptly went back to video game playing. We will see if he is going to do anything.
On the side note, DS finally received his state EMT certification card yesterday and is officially a provisional EMT ( will convert to non-provisional once turn 18).
So D20 took her first practice ACT cold this morning and got a 29. With practice I’m hoping she gains 3 or 4 points? Her science (26) is definitely an area for improvement.
@makemesmart@carpoolingma Thank you! He is excited to be able to do more than observe most of the time. He might need to add some more shifts as the squad always seem to need people.
@whataboutcollege congrats on the EMT certification. A first responder at such a young age - super cool!! And yes, DS plans to major in science and currently hopes to become a research scientist.
@sekere62 I had a similar story of low hs gpa (bright but not fully engaged) but got so much better in college. Seemed a different environment helped. Maybe a small college will suit him better.
Hi all, just found this forum and wanted to jump in. My daughter is a junior, and working on her college list now. She’ll be going for musical theatre, so we have a more time-intensive application process than most. We live in Texas, but she’s looking at schools in the Northeast. Most likely a BFA, but she is also considering some strong BA programs (and will apply to at least one non-audition BA program just so she has a safety). Her GPA is around 3.95 (weighted - her school doesn’t do unweighted), and she’s taking pre-AP Chemistry, Physics, English, and pre-calc, along with AP US history, American Sign Language (no advanced level available), Theatre Production (class by audition only), and Musical Theatre 2. Her PSAT scores last year weren’t as high as we had hoped, but many of the schools we’re looking at are test optional; she’ll take both the SAT and ACT this year, and hopefully not repeat them next year when she will be so busy with audition prep.
Then he gave me the signature “okay” and promptly went back to video game playing. We will see if he is going to do anything.