Remember she doesn't need both tests (ACT and SAT). Find out which test she prefers and have her focus on that test. SAT involves more "read" between the lines skills and ACT is more straight test but faster moving test.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The SAT is in the midst of a major overhaul and will be a different test by the time your daughter is ready to take it (at least I think i have the timing right). Our high school considered skipping the psat this year for that reason -- no sense learning a test that is about to change. But you could have her do a practice ACT. Both my kids benefited from taking a bunch of practice tests over the course of about a year -- and for whatever reason they also did much better on the ACT than the SAT. Like, the equivalent of 300-400 points better.

15:14 here. We are on he same page about the ACT. It will be interesting to see what they've done with the nee SAT since you're no longer penalized for wrong answers. That might ease OP's daughter's anxiety.

OP here - My DD did mention that she thinks she will do better on the ACT.

So if there are major changes slated for the SAT, how will the current 10th graders prep for it?

I apologize if my questions are silly. This is my first born, which means I haven't seen an SAT test in 30 years!

Here's a comparison between the old and new (2016 SAT).

http://www.veritasprep.com/act-sat-prep/new-sat/

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The SAT is in the midst of a major overhaul and will be a different test by the time your daughter is ready to take it (at least I think i have the timing right). Our high school considered skipping the psat this year for that reason -- no sense learning a test that is about to change. But you could have her do a practice ACT. Both my kids benefited from taking a bunch of practice tests over the course of about a year -- and for whatever reason they also did much better on the ACT than the SAT. Like, the equivalent of 300-400 points better.

15:14 here. We are on he same page about the ACT. It will be interesting to see what they've done with the nee SAT since you're no longer penalized for wrong answers. That might ease OP's daughter's anxiety.

OP here - My DD did mention that she thinks she will do better on the ACT.

So if there are major changes slated for the SAT, how will the current 10th graders prep for it?

I apologize if my questions are silly. This is my first born, which means I haven't seen an SAT test in 30 years!

Your questions are far from silly! My SAT scores from 30 years ago wouldn't get me into a matchbook trade school today but got me into a pretty good college yesteryear. Go figure.

Anonymous wrote:OP, here are the differences between the ACT and SAT.

http://www.princetonreview.com/sat-act.aspx

Thank you!!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The SAT is in the midst of a major overhaul and will be a different test by the time your daughter is ready to take it (at least I think i have the timing right). Our high school considered skipping the psat this year for that reason -- no sense learning a test that is about to change. But you could have her do a practice ACT. Both my kids benefited from taking a bunch of practice tests over the course of about a year -- and for whatever reason they also did much better on the ACT than the SAT. Like, the equivalent of 300-400 points better.

15:14 here. We are on he same page about the ACT. It will be interesting to see what they've done with the nee SAT since you're no longer penalized for wrong answers. That might ease OP's daughter's anxiety.

OP here - My DD did mention that she thinks she will do better on the ACT.

So if there are major changes slated for the SAT, how will the current 10th graders prep for it?

I apologize if my questions are silly. This is my first born, which means I haven't seen an SAT test in 30 years!

OP, here are the differences between the ACT and SAT.

http://www.princetonreview.com/sat-act.aspx

Anonymous wrote:The SAT is in the midst of a major overhaul and will be a different test by the time your daughter is ready to take it (at least I think i have the timing right). Our high school considered skipping the psat this year for that reason -- no sense learning a test that is about to change. But you could have her do a practice ACT. Both my kids benefited from taking a bunch of practice tests over the course of about a year -- and for whatever reason they also did much better on the ACT than the SAT. Like, the equivalent of 300-400 points better.

15:14 here. We are on he same page about the ACT. It will be interesting to see what they've done with the nee SAT since you're no longer penalized for wrong answers. That might ease OP's daughter's anxiety.

The SAT is in the midst of a major overhaul and will be a different test by the time your daughter is ready to take it (at least I think i have the timing right). Our high school considered skipping the psat this year for that reason -- no sense learning a test that is about to change. But you could have her do a practice ACT. Both my kids benefited from taking a bunch of practice tests over the course of about a year -- and for whatever reason they also did much better on the ACT than the SAT. Like, the equivalent of 300-400 points better.

Your DD might do better on the ACT. I noted when my DC took the practice tests given at DC's private school (they give a practice PSAT and ACT), DC did far better on the ACT. Same with the ISEE vs SSAT when DC took both for 9th grade private school admision. There was such a major score difference with the ISEE (which I think is more on par with the ACT format) versus the SSAT.

The final trial were the practice ACT/SAT books. Again, DC did far better on the ACT book. So, DC will take the ACT first, see the score, and depending on the score might not take the SAT. Btw, the other kids now in college did well on the SAT but didn't take the ACT.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Buy her a PSAT book and and SAT book. Let her take the test once before you put out the $$$$ for Prep classes.

she's already taken the PSAT through school, and did not do well - hence the anxiety.

Did she use the book as prep? If not, have do that FIRST. Familiarity with the test does wonders. However, if you are hell bent on spemnding $1500.......

Anonymous wrote:Prep Matters if money doesn't. Lots of kids do prep summer before Junior year and test by winter of junior year. It's very nice to be done with testing by spring break of junior year -- when college searching can begin in earnest.

Thanks, I was wondering about Prep Matters....and money does matter. Also appreciate the advice on prepping the summer before junior year. In the meantime, I will get her workbooks I guess.

Prep Matters if money doesn't. Lots of kids do prep summer before Junior year and test by winter of junior year. It's very nice to be done with testing by spring break of junior year -- when college searching can begin in earnest.

Anonymous wrote:Buy her a PSAT book and and SAT book. Let her take the test once before you put out the $$$$ for Prep classes.

she's already taken the PSAT through school, and did not do well - hence the anxiety.

Buy her a PSAT book and and SAT book. Let her take the test once before you put out the $$$$ for Prep classes.

My DD is currently a sophomore, and is doing a lot of forward planning with regards to narrowing down college choices. She's getting anxious that SAT/ACTs are coming up next year.

Is it too early to enroll her in test prep courses? And can you recommend Test Prep tutors or centers? we are in MoCo, specifically Bethesda - but willing to travel to Rockville, Potomac, Silver Spring, and DC.

TIA