Anonymous
Post 06/03/2018 12:43     Subject: How did your child get their SAT scores up?

DC went from a 1250 on the PSAT to a 1390 the first time on the SAT by taking the course offered through Arlington County. Basically, they just worked through the prep guide and he said it was deathly boring. We went the private tutoring route and, after doing both ACT and SAT practice tests, they recommended the ACT. He's a pretty good test taker, but with just 4-5 sessions he got the SAT equivalent of a 1520 or so on the ACT. Private tutoring isn't cheap, but it can be highly efficient.
Anonymous
Post 06/03/2018 10:22     Subject: How did your child get their SAT scores up?

Anonymous wrote:I have the exact opposite question. And I am genuinely not trolling. At what point can you not worry another getting your DC’s scores up?

My sophomore had a 1440 (out of 1520) completely unprepared PSAT sophomore year— 700/760 V and 740/760 M. That’s consistent with PSAT 9 and SSAT sore ranges, so probably not a fluke. At that point, mid year junior PSAT scores could be well above 1500 without much effort. So, my thought was to get DC a PSAT and an SAT prep book this summer, and hav them work so practice tests, especially in heading. Then get the PSAT done in Oct and the SAT in Nov. If the SAT score is at or above 1520-1540, then just stop. And not worry about SAT vs ACT it trying to get the score 40 points higher. 2 SAT subject tests done today, Math 2 and history, and it would be great to let DC focus on junior year grades, AP tests and college applications, with SATs out of the way.

Is 1500 plus SAT realistic based in the sophomore year PSAT? Is there a point where the SAT score is just fine and the kid can stop? If so, what is that number? Or should DC fight for every point? Is a 1540 vs a 1560 vs a 1580 going to matter?


Either you're humble bragging, completely clueless, or have a real problem. Of course a 1500 is sufficient -- it's at the high end of every college in the country. Even top colleges essentially stop looking at the test scores after you hit 1400 or so, and most are fine with 1300s if everything else is really strong. Grades and course selection matter much more to selective colleges than small differences on the SAT. DCUM parents aren't going to believe this, but it's absolutely true.
Anonymous
Post 06/03/2018 09:25     Subject: Re:How did your child get their SAT scores up?

Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Before starting serious prep, see if he will take timed SAT and ACT tests to see if he performs better on one than the other.

Some kids probably don't take the 10th grade PSAT very seriously - you need a new baseline and it probably won't be 1200 since it sounds like you have a high achieving student.


I think you should at least tackle studying on your own first. That may be enough for a 50-100 point boost. Most test prep classes guarantee a higher score from their first practice test to their last. For us, we studying a bit on our own, taking practice tests and reviewing to Get a new baseline. THEN will take a prep course to see if they can help us improve 100poimts from there.

I am a math major, so I think I can help DS a bit with review (hence the “we”). I do think a test prep pro has a lot more to offer so will turn it over to them after we give it a shot.


I am an actuary and I didn’t even bother helping my two kids review or prep. They need to know tricks on how to calculate quickly since no calculator (unless you have a calculator accomodation) hence use a prep place.


Calculators are permitted for both the SAT and the ACT.
Anonymous
Post 06/03/2018 08:55     Subject: Re:How did your child get their SAT scores up?

Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Before starting serious prep, see if he will take timed SAT and ACT tests to see if he performs better on one than the other.

Some kids probably don't take the 10th grade PSAT very seriously - you need a new baseline and it probably won't be 1200 since it sounds like you have a high achieving student.


I think you should at least tackle studying on your own first. That may be enough for a 50-100 point boost. Most test prep classes guarantee a higher score from their first practice test to their last. For us, we studying a bit on our own, taking practice tests and reviewing to Get a new baseline. THEN will take a prep course to see if they can help us improve 100poimts from there.

I am a math major, so I think I can help DS a bit with review (hence the “we”). I do think a test prep pro has a lot more to offer so will turn it over to them after we give it a shot.


I am an actuary and I didn’t even bother helping my two kids review or prep. They need to know tricks on how to calculate quickly since no calculator (unless you have a calculator accomodation) hence use a prep place.
Anonymous
Post 06/02/2018 19:46     Subject: Re:How did your child get their SAT scores up?

Anonymous wrote:Before starting serious prep, see if he will take timed SAT and ACT tests to see if he performs better on one than the other.

Some kids probably don't take the 10th grade PSAT very seriously - you need a new baseline and it probably won't be 1200 since it sounds like you have a high achieving student.


I think you should at least tackle studying on your own first. That may be enough for a 50-100 point boost. Most test prep classes guarantee a higher score from their first practice test to their last. For us, we studying a bit on our own, taking practice tests and reviewing to Get a new baseline. THEN will take a prep course to see if they can help us improve 100poimts from there.

I am a math major, so I think I can help DS a bit with review (hence the “we”). I do think a test prep pro has a lot more to offer so will turn it over to them after we give it a shot.
Anonymous
Post 06/02/2018 19:36     Subject: How did your child get their SAT scores up?

I have the exact opposite question. And I am genuinely not trolling. At what point can you not worry another getting your DC’s scores up?

My sophomore had a 1440 (out of 1520) completely unprepared PSAT sophomore year— 700/760 V and 740/760 M. That’s consistent with PSAT 9 and SSAT sore ranges, so probably not a fluke. At that point, mid year junior PSAT scores could be well above 1500 without much effort. So, my thought was to get DC a PSAT and an SAT prep book this summer, and hav them work so practice tests, especially in heading. Then get the PSAT done in Oct and the SAT in Nov. If the SAT score is at or above 1520-1540, then just stop. And not worry about SAT vs ACT it trying to get the score 40 points higher. 2 SAT subject tests done today, Math 2 and history, and it would be great to let DC focus on junior year grades, AP tests and college applications, with SATs out of the way.

Is 1500 plus SAT realistic based in the sophomore year PSAT? Is there a point where the SAT score is just fine and the kid can stop? If so, what is that number? Or should DC fight for every point? Is a 1540 vs a 1560 vs a 1580 going to matter?
Anonymous
Post 06/02/2018 18:26     Subject: How did your child get their SAT scores up?

Has anyone's kid had success with the College Board-Khan Academy targeted SAT prep?
Anonymous
Post 06/02/2018 16:07     Subject: How did your child get their SAT scores up?

Anonymous wrote:Extended time


Anonymous
Post 06/02/2018 16:02     Subject: How did your child get their SAT scores up?

Extended time
Anonymous
Post 06/02/2018 14:08     Subject: Re:How did your child get their SAT scores up?

Montgomery College prep class, which is a boot camp of practice tests.

My kid went from pretty good (don’t remember numbers) to a perfect 1600.
Anonymous
Post 06/02/2018 10:08     Subject: How did your child get their SAT scores up?

Applerouth.
Anonymous
Post 06/02/2018 09:45     Subject: Re:How did your child get their SAT scores up?

Before starting serious prep, see if he will take timed SAT and ACT tests to see if he performs better on one than the other.

Some kids probably don't take the 10th grade PSAT very seriously - you need a new baseline and it probably won't be 1200 since it sounds like you have a high achieving student.
Anonymous
Post 06/02/2018 09:36     Subject: How did your child get their SAT scores up?

Anonymous wrote:Private tutoring. We used prep matters. Ds did one hour of tutoring once a week an full length practice tests almost every weekend for 10 weeks leading up to the test. He went from a 1250 PSAT to a 1480 SAT.


Wow that's amazing! Thank you, I'll have to look into that!
Anonymous
Post 06/02/2018 09:34     Subject: How did your child get their SAT scores up?

Private tutoring. We used prep matters. Ds did one hour of tutoring once a week an full length practice tests almost every weekend for 10 weeks leading up to the test. He went from a 1250 PSAT to a 1480 SAT.
Anonymous
Post 06/02/2018 09:29     Subject: How did your child get their SAT scores up?

DS's scores were around 1200 for PSAT sophomore year. To have a chance at the colleges he's looking at he needs to up his score drastically. What do you recommend?