Has anyone had success with “motivation techniques” to get your kids studying for the SATs? Something cheap is ideal since my work hours were just drastically cut! She has Barron’s 26th edition SAT with Cd-Rom.
Did she get the blue book (CollegeBoard’s SAT Official Study Guide 2nd Edition)? Its the only book made by CB itself (the people who write the SATs.) Barron’s may be good, but this is usually the first (and the best) book students get.
That book is really where she’s going to get the most accurate info from. I am a Junior and I’m currently using it to study. It has 10 Official SAT practice tests along with crucial info at the beginning of the book.
In regards to practice, make sure she does official CollegeBoard SAT practice tests, as those will reflect what may come on the real test.
Go on dealoz.com and enter the title or the ISBN for the book. You’ll find the cheapest price for the book.
http://dealoz.com/prod?gtin=09780874478525&query=official%20sat%20study&op=&op2=buy#compare_price
Best price you can get for a new book (currently) is $15.65. Retail is $21.99.
In terms of motivation techniques, basically tell her that not studying for the SATs isn’t going to cut it. Keep reminding her that its her future, and bad SAT scores will not look good AT ALL on applications. But at the end of the day, its her choice, and if she wants to procrastinate and not study, it will come back to her when it comes time to apply for colleges next year. At this point, taking away her phone will benefit her tremendously. She won’t get into a good college without BOTH a good GPA and good SAT. They are an important combo.
Were you planning to buy something to make her study?
Getting the blue book is her best source for studying. If she wants to spend hours texting her boyfriend, she can, but its ultimately her decision to slack off. Again, constantly remind her its her future, and in this highly competitive day and age, bad SAT scores are a turn-off at many colleges.