<p>My dtr SAT scores were 1260. Does she need to take a class to boost them up to 1300 or better, or does anyone have any ideas to improve these scores without taking these classes. It seems like the magic number for schools is 1300 or better</p>
<p>It sounds like you want to boost her sat scores to 1300 for merit aid reasons-I read your other posts. I know that students on here have gotten merit aid with much lower scores (ie:1100), but I suppose it depends upon the school. </p>
<p>She can try to practice on her own with the books, or take a class. A lot of schools will mix and match scores from various seatings on the sat. You can actually go down in one area, and up in another and get a higher total score. I know that my S was only willing to sit for this test twice. He found both takes to be grueling, and much too long.</p>
<p>Definitely have your daughter try the ACT too.</p>
<p>The standard answer on CC is the Xiggi method. Search for threads–they might be stickies (top of forums). The method uses the 10RealSATs. No class involved.</p>
<p>Here you go: <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/forumdisplay.php?f=579[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/forumdisplay.php?f=579</a></p>
<p>My S used the “Real SATs” book at home and achieved his goal–we found this book very helpful (about$20). He did the whole book and went over each wrong answer in detail. I helped him with timing and scoring the tests and “motivation” (aka nagging him to sit down on Sat. mornings to do the tests). There is no substitute for practice (lots of it) and getting very familiar with the types of questions found on the test. Your daughter is only looking for a small increase in her score–this practice book should help her get there. Good luck to her.</p>
<p>You know your daughter - will she actually do the work if she’s not taking a class? If so, any of these options should be fine. I knew mine wouldn’t (and she admitted as much), so into tutoring she went!</p>
<p>Just adding my vote: 10 Real SATs (and going over what’s being missed and talking about it, and doing the tests in real time).</p>
<p>I agree with Chedva that a lot depends on your D and if she will have the discipline to study on her own or if she needs a tutor or class to give her more direction and timelines.</p>
<p>If she is a self-starter, Xiggi’s method works very well. My D used the CB Blue book, Testmasters (it has the solutions to the practice test, the blue book only has the letter answers) and Maximum SAT (Xiggi recommends, it gives the strategies). If your D is weak in math she may need additional resources, I think Gruber’s has been highly recommended. One more suggestion, if you want to see the Xiggi method, go to Carolyn’s discussion board and there is a thread there where he lays it all out clearly (so you don’t have to read through all of the pages on the CC thread).</p>
<p>The basic answer to your question is that yes, test prep can help raise her scores. I think many of the SAT prep classes are a waste of time. We bit the bullet and hired a tutor for my son. He met with her once a week for one hour (I dont recall how many sessions) and he did a little self study. She also helped him with test taking strategy, not just knowledge cramming.</p>
<p>I agree with the other posters who say that prep does help and what type of prep depends on what your daughter will respond to best, what degree of self-discipline she has, etc.</p>
<p>The current practice book from the College Board is The Official SAT Study Guide ISBN: 0874477182, aka the “blue book” which has 8 practice exams modeled on the current SAT test. The 10 Real SATs book has tests modeled on the old SAT exam, which included some question types that are no longer used. </p>
<p>Studying explanations of the answers helps a lot. Detailed explanations of the answers to the practice tests in the blue book are available in the Testmasters book or online if you subscribe to the Official Online SAT Course at the College Board site. The online course gives you another six practice tests and some lessons.</p>
<p>The blue book and some source of explanations are the foundation materials. Other books that students I know have found useful include Rocket Review Revolution and McGraw-Hill’s SAT 1. Kids respond differently to the different books. Some kids can’t stand the tone of the Princeton Review books that they find condescending and feeble in their humor. Others like PR books a lot. Maximum SAT is more compact, which some might find less intimidating, and it outlines a schedule for self study. Cruising the options at a bookstore can help sort out what supplementary books might be appealing in style and useful in content for the self-studier.</p>
<p>Marion -</p>
<p>(1) Have her take the ACT. Unfortunately the score won’t come back in time to retake the SAT for EA/ED, so;
(2) Xiggi Method; and if your D isn’t sufficiently motivated to take full advantage of this well-proven approach;
(3) At least TWO full-length practice SAT tests the month before her retake, scored and analyzed (preferably by you, as kids generally aren’t adept at analysis).</p>
<p>1260 isn’t a bad score, but I believe your D could significantly improve with the advice provided by previous posters. Good luck!</p>