DS can’t get past 1490 on the SAT’s. Any recommendations ?

[Anonymous]

DS is a rising junior and an excellent student at his school. He already took honors precalc as a sophomore and achieved a near perfect score in that class. He’s aiming at a few T20 schools and knows that’s it’s almost a must to get over 1500 on the SAT.

He’s taken 4 practice SATs over the summer and his score is ranging between a 1450 and a 1490, almost equally split between Math and English. He’s already taken several sessions with a tutor he likes at a reputable testing place in the area. The tests aren’t revealing any particular areas of weakness.

If your child was in a similar position , what has helped the most? More practice tests? Changing tutors? Simply more studying ?

[Anonymous]

Lol he’s fine. Talk about pressure

[Anonymous]

the practice tests are harder than the real thing. have him to take it for real.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Lol he’s fine. Talk about pressure

Agree

[Anonymous]

Are you sure HE's aiming for a top 20 school?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DS is a rising junior and an excellent student at his school. He already took honors precalc as a sophomore and achieved a near perfect score in that class. He’s aiming at a few T20 schools and knows that’s it’s almost a must to get over 1500 on the SAT.

He’s taken 4 practice SATs over the summer and his score is ranging between a 1450 and a 1490, almost equally split between Math and English. He’s already taken several sessions with a tutor he likes at a reputable testing place in the area. The tests aren’t revealing any particular areas of weakness.

If your child was in a similar position , what has helped the most? More practice tests? Changing tutors? Simply more studying ?

Too early.

The verbal score will naturally increase after taking AP lit in junior year. 50 point increase will make it to 790 or 800.

The verbal part can't be easily prepped. Rigorous English courses really help, a lot.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:the practice tests are harder than the real thing. have him to take it for real.

-100 This is absolutely not true, depending on which tests he is taking.

[Anonymous]

You need to accept your DS has plateaued and just deal with it.

[Anonymous]

A rising junior? Good lord, relax. My rising senior will probably take the test at least two or three more times.

[Anonymous]

You need to be patient and wait till your kid is a rising senior. His brain will be way more developed. My DC was in the same exact situation and in August just before his senior year he got 1500. No need to kill him with too much practice right now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DS is a rising junior and an excellent student at his school. He already took honors precalc as a sophomore and achieved a near perfect score in that class. He’s aiming at a few T20 schools and knows that’s it’s almost a must to get over 1500 on the SAT.

He’s taken 4 practice SATs over the summer and his score is ranging between a 1450 and a 1490, almost equally split between Math and English. He’s already taken several sessions with a tutor he likes at a reputable testing place in the area. The tests aren’t revealing any particular areas of weakness.

If your child was in a similar position , what has helped the most? More practice tests? Changing tutors? Simply more studying ?

You are approaching it the wrong way.

Taking practice tests early and before they are ready is demoralizing. Then seeing the lower than expected score puts pressure. The family becomes very concerned and it gets to the kids head and they struggle to make progress.

I have been helping a lot of kids with testing and I see this quite frequently then case with kids who are very focused on T20.

[Anonymous]

He hasn’t even taken the test yet. Have him take the test.

[Anonymous]

Just take it for real

[Anonymous]

Let him enjoy the rest of the summer, please, and he'll be fine.

[Anonymous]

I recommend relaxing. He’ll be fine. Burning out is a far bigger issue than a 1490.