At Method Test Prep, if there is one thing we want every parent to know, it is this: students can improve their SAT and ACT scores significantly; it just takes practice. These are not IQ tests. The ACT and SAT are tests on how well students know the ACT and SAT, nothing more. Each question a student gets correct on the ACT results in a 1 point increase on that ACT sub-section.
Each question a student gets correct on the SAT often results in a 10-point increase! So five more math questions correct and five more reading questions correct means a 100-point increase on one’s SAT scores! The point is, a higher SAT/ACT score is attainable and means getting accepted to more colleges and being offered more financial aid and scholarship money.
Parents, do you know what your kid needs to do with regard to the SAT/ACT?
Freshman Year
Nothing. Students and parents should not be thinking about the ACT or SAT freshman year. Students should put their energy into working hard in school and getting the best grades possible. Parents and students who are worrying about the SAT or ACT freshman year are putting too much emphasis on these tests, which might do more harm than good.
If your child’s school subscribes to www.methodtestprep.com, then he or she can start to work through the checklist to build critical math, reading, and writing skills that will lead to success in high school and college.
Sophomore Year
Still not much. Many schools have sophomores take the PSAT, but the test was really designed to be a test taken in the fall of junior year. We care much more about a student’s junior year PSAT scores, so we try to make sure that any sophomore taking the PSAT goes in with the right mindset. It is just a chance to be exposed to SAT questions so that when you take the PSAT again junior year, you will already be familiar with the questions.
Again, if your child’s school subscribes to www.methodtestprep.com, then he or she can start to work through the checklist to build critical math, reading, and writing skills that will lead to success in high school and college.
Junior Year
This is the important year! Many parents and students want to get some ACT/SAT prep out of the way in the summer since the school year will be busy with sports, tough classes, etc.. The key is to break up ACT/SAT prep into manageable chunks of time so it actually gets done.
And research shows that people learn more effectively for the long term when they spread the material out and reinforce the learning rather than trying to cram. Whether you start to prepare during the summer or not, the key, of course, is to not wait until the last minute. That only raises the level of anxiety surrounding these tests.
Interested in learning more? Keep an eye out for the next part of our Parent's guide blog series!
