What is a reasonable SAT boost with study?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If they take it very seriously, 200 points is definitely doable.

If not more, if you are starting in the 1100 or 1200's. The trick is to take it seriously. Study and practice.

[Anonymous]

Most studies show about 30-60 points on average attributable to test prep. Kids generally improve some when taking the test again so it’s 30-60 points on top of a baked in modest increase.

I think the kids with 200+ point increases had an uncharacteristically low initial test.

[Anonymous]

250-300 point boost for my kid from study.

[Anonymous]

Test prep works best for improving a low grade such as 1200, and 200 points improvement is completely possible. It's more difficult to improve an initial score of 1400 to 1500, but still possible in some cases. Anything over 1550 is unlikely the product of test prep, it's more self-driven.

Verbal part is more difficult, typically the verbal score improves naturally after AP lang/lit in 11-th grade.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hi-
If you got a 1220 without an ounce of prep or study- what is a reasonable bump if commit to studying and prepping for the summer? Do people
Typically jump 200+? Lets assume all of the schools she applies to are test optional, then she would
Need to score at least 200 more points to even consider submitting... so please help me determine if it is even likely to boost 200+
Thank You very much-for any thoughts!

Do the kid a favor and encourage them to apply and attend where 1220-1280 is around the 25th percentile of the pre-test-optional range of matriculated students, from common data set of the class that started in 2020 (the last group that had scores required). If your kid happens to get 200 points which us not likely and they happen to get into a T30 school where 1400 is the lower range they will be out of their league for all quantitative classes. We have known personally kids that did this or got extra time and did it. Then they get to the college thinking they are in-range and yet end up struggling in pre-med or other quantitative classes.
Unless you have data that the 1220 is not their potential (PSAT percentiles or other nationally normed tests), do not push them with months of tutoring to try to get into 1400 range schools. They will be miserable.

[Anonymous]

Anything is possible. Start now with Khan Academy practice questions

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Hi-
If you got a 1220 without an ounce of prep or study- what is a reasonable bump if commit to studying and prepping for the summer? Do people
Typically jump 200+? Lets assume all of the schools she applies to are test optional, then she would
Need to score at least 200 more points to even consider submitting... so please help me determine if it is even likely to boost 200+
Thank You very much-for any thoughts!

Do the kid a favor and encourage them to apply and attend where 1220-1280 is around the 25th percentile of the pre-test-optional range of matriculated students, from common data set of the class that started in 2020 (the last group that had scores required). If your kid happens to get 200 points which us not likely and they happen to get into a T30 school where 1400 is the lower range they will be out of their league for all quantitative classes. We have known personally kids that did this or got extra time and did it. Then they get to the college thinking they are in-range and yet end up struggling in pre-med or other quantitative classes.
Unless you have data that the 1220 is not their potential (PSAT percentiles or other nationally normed tests), do not push them with months of tutoring to try to get into 1400 range schools. They will be miserable.

Nopety nope. This is ridiculous and snotty.
(And my kid was a 1520)

[Anonymous]

*had a 1520

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Hi-
If you got a 1220 without an ounce of prep or study- what is a reasonable bump if commit to studying and prepping for the summer? Do people
Typically jump 200+? Lets assume all of the schools she applies to are test optional, then she would
Need to score at least 200 more points to even consider submitting... so please help me determine if it is even likely to boost 200+
Thank You very much-for any thoughts!

Do the kid a favor and encourage them to apply and attend where 1220-1280 is around the 25th percentile of the pre-test-optional range of matriculated students, from common data set of the class that started in 2020 (the last group that had scores required). If your kid happens to get 200 points which us not likely and they happen to get into a T30 school where 1400 is the lower range they will be out of their league for all quantitative classes. We have known personally kids that did this or got extra time and did it. Then they get to the college thinking they are in-range and yet end up struggling in pre-med or other quantitative classes.
Unless you have data that the 1220 is not their potential (PSAT percentiles or other nationally normed tests), do not push them with months of tutoring to try to get into 1400 range schools. They will be miserable.

TBH, for premed you can do it at a LAC and get into top medical schools. Ivy colleges are not necessary.
Same for CS and quantitative classes, CMU UIUC Purdue are better places.
When it comes to non-stem majors, getting a higher test score helps in getting in ivies, which really helps your career down the road.

[Anonymous]

My kid focused on the ACT. Went from 29 to 33.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hi-
If you got a 1220 without an ounce of prep or study- what is a reasonable bump if commit to studying and prepping for the summer? Do people
Typically jump 200+? Lets assume all of the schools she applies to are test optional, then she would
Need to score at least 200 more points to even consider submitting... so please help me determine if it is even likely to boost 200+
Thank You very much-for any thoughts!

It really depends.

Kid 1: got a 1330 on baseline. Did 4 hours of 1-1 tutoring, then did practice test and got 1500. Every practice test and real test after that was within 20 points. They ended with a 1500 on their 2 actual SATs.

Kid 2: got a 1220 on practice test. Did 10+ hours of 1-1 tutoring, and still got 1220, score never budged.

I would find a good 1-1 tutor and put in 4-10 hours. At that point you are likely at your "ideal score". It's not worth 20+ hours to get another 50 points (and it's not likely to happen either0

[Anonymous]

I would find a good 1-1 tutor and put in 4-10 hours. At that point you are likely at your "ideal score".

How do you find good 1-1 tutors?

[Anonymous]

Both my kids' scores went up over 200 pts with prep. They started with higher RW, lower math, which is easier to improve. Agree that you should see a positive trend within 5-10 hours of tutoring. If your child runs out of time, that is also an easier issue to fix by practicing test strategies

[Anonymous]

My kid's ACT score went from 28 to 34.(in 1 sitting) with private tutoring. Kid met 1x/week, alternating weeks for verbal and math topics and did assigned work between sessions. I was shocked by how much their verbal score improved. Imo, my kid is not a naturally great reader/writer, and they got scores of 35 (out of 36) on both verbal sections. The tutor techniques, strategies, and practices tests do help!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My kid did sat prep with a prep company. Initial score in the 1200s ended up in the 1500+ super scored.

Which company?