I would encourage reading for pleasure. Lots of books, magazines, newspapers, whatever your child likes and enjoys the most. The best way to learn vocabulary and about sentence structure and grammar is in context. The College Board site has a "question of the day" section that allows kids to get familiar with the format of the test questions.

That was how my child "prepped" for the PSAT, in addition to taking it as a 10th grader, and was a National Merit Finalist.

Next year's PSAT is going to be a revamped test, so not as readily prepped for. A kid who reads extensively will be at a distinct advantage over kids who used test prep materials.

Anonymous wrote:Our DD loses focus in the bigger group settings and wasn't self disciplined enough to study on her own. We found a private tutor who did one on one sessions with her. For her that was the perfect situation and it was significantly less expensive than the big name programs. The tutor assigned homework and vocab to be learned between sessions and since it was one on one our DD never went unprepared. It worked well for her and she was much better prepared than she would have been on her own or in a group.

That sounds like my dc

Yes, Prep Matters is expensive ($250/session with private tutor) but my DD went from a 202 on the PSAT sophomore year to National Merit Semifinalist and from 2100 to 2300+ on the SAT.

Our DD loses focus in the bigger group settings and wasn't self disciplined enough to study on her own. We found a private tutor who did one on one sessions with her. For her that was the perfect situation and it was significantly less expensive than the big name programs. The tutor assigned homework and vocab to be learned between sessions and since it was one on one our DD never went unprepared. It worked well for her and she was much better prepared than she would have been on her own or in a group.

OP here. These are all good ideas. I appreciate the feedback on how busy students are able to fit study time in for these tests.

My sons were like your DC. Busy and not motivated. Took a 30 hour course over 5 weeks in August from Princeton Review. They didn't take the SAT until the following January,but an online refresher course just before the test was part of the package. That provided the structure they needed. Their scores went up 300 points from the sophomore PSAT. Good enough for the colleges they were looking at.

You could consider helping her, and see how that goes. The vocab words need self study anyway, because no tutor can put them in your kid's head. So you could start with vocab, maybe 5-10 words a day, with both of you using the vocab words in conversation as practice, making it jokey and not pressured. See how that goes. To my amazement, my over-scheduled DS has said he actually enjoys studying SAT subjects with us because it's together time (you could have knocked me over), plus we're working on more advanced SAT prep books than your basic Kaplan or Princeton SAT tomes.

Yes, my dc took PSAT and did ok but not great. We bought some study guides but they basically have been sitting untouched on the floor. I understand because my dc is busy enough with homework and activities now there is no time for SAT/ACT prep now. Just looking ahead to summer when dc has less pressure but will definitely need a nudge to get going. I was in the car with dc and dc's friends and the friends were talking how they were studying all winter break and they have taken practice tests on their own (as sophomores). I was just thinking this is not my dc and dc will need a little more direction.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Did he take the PSAT last fall as a practice? Many local schools offer that, and it can be an early good barometer, without prep, for what is likely to be useful. If he did great (which for a 10th grader is at least 200 points lower than eventual likely SAT score) then perhaps can just urge him to take practice tests and study on own over summer, and then see how "real" PSAT goes. However, if he is not very motivated, and one particular section perhaps was much worse than others, then perhaps investing in some sessions at a place like Prep Matters over the summer makes sense. That is what we did with our DD who had some test anxiety and quite a skewed score on her 10th grade PSAT (one section much lower than other two) and just about 4 sessions with Prep Matters and doing their timed practice tests made a huge difference, she ended up a NMSF and only had to take SATs once, so in her case their diagnostics and very targeted intervention really helped, and more efficient and in the end cheaper than taking semester long group class and/or having to take SAT multiple times

I've heard decent things about Prep Matters but they are very $$$. I would look at Hope Chinese School that offers SAT prep on the weekends and is very reasonable. However, I have never used them but here the prep is pretty good.

*hear not here...

Anonymous wrote:Did he take the PSAT last fall as a practice? Many local schools offer that, and it can be an early good barometer, without prep, for what is likely to be useful. If he did great (which for a 10th grader is at least 200 points lower than eventual likely SAT score) then perhaps can just urge him to take practice tests and study on own over summer, and then see how "real" PSAT goes. However, if he is not very motivated, and one particular section perhaps was much worse than others, then perhaps investing in some sessions at a place like Prep Matters over the summer makes sense. That is what we did with our DD who had some test anxiety and quite a skewed score on her 10th grade PSAT (one section much lower than other two) and just about 4 sessions with Prep Matters and doing their timed practice tests made a huge difference, she ended up a NMSF and only had to take SATs once, so in her case their diagnostics and very targeted intervention really helped, and more efficient and in the end cheaper than taking semester long group class and/or having to take SAT multiple times

I've heard decent things about Prep Matters but they are very $$$. I would look at Hope Chinese School that offers SAT prep on the weekends and is very reasonable. However, I have never used them but here the prep is pretty good.

Did he take the PSAT last fall as a practice? Many local schools offer that, and it can be an early good barometer, without prep, for what is likely to be useful. If he did great (which for a 10th grader is at least 200 points lower than eventual likely SAT score) then perhaps can just urge him to take practice tests and study on own over summer, and then see how "real" PSAT goes. However, if he is not very motivated, and one particular section perhaps was much worse than others, then perhaps investing in some sessions at a place like Prep Matters over the summer makes sense. That is what we did with our DD who had some test anxiety and quite a skewed score on her 10th grade PSAT (one section much lower than other two) and just about 4 sessions with Prep Matters and doing their timed practice tests made a huge difference, she ended up a NMSF and only had to take SATs once, so in her case their diagnostics and very targeted intervention really helped, and more efficient and in the end cheaper than taking semester long group class and/or having to take SAT multiple times

Self study with a book (Baron's or Princeton...) worked for my now senior for SATs, SAT subject tests and AP tests.

Hello. My oldest is a sophomore and trying to figure out what would be the best way to start getting ready for ACT/SAT this summer. DC is a good student but very busy and not very motivated to add one more thing to the list. I also don't want to spend time nagging dc to study for these tests because when dc actually has free time at home I like to see dc relax. Just would like to hear some opinions from people who have tried any of these options which are most beneficial. Do the students accomplish anything in the classroom or online setting for these various test prep companies like Kaplan, Princeton, Hunnington, etc? Thanks!