Anonymous
07/21/2025 10:53
Subject: DC didn’t do SAT prep
Anonymous wrote:1. Your son’s SAT score is better than fine.
2. If you can’t even afford to spring for an SAT prep course then you ain’t paying for your kid to go to a private college.
3. Your kid ain’t getting into UVA, W&M and probably Tech regardless.
4. So JMU it is. And it’s a great school.
5. Stop blaming your ex for your kid’s laziness.
1. See PP’s post about TO and how it has led to SAT inflation and intimidation due to kids with lesser scores not submitting.
2. OP can afford it but does not want to set a precedent with ex H.
Anonymous
07/21/2025 10:45
Subject: DC didn’t do SAT prep
1. Your son’s SAT score is better than fine.
2. If you can’t even afford to spring for an SAT prep course then you ain’t paying for your kid to go to a private college.
3. Your kid ain’t getting into UVA, W&M and probably Tech regardless.
4. So JMU it is. And it’s a great school.
5. Stop blaming your ex for your kid’s laziness.
2. If you can’t even afford to spring for an SAT prep course then you ain’t paying for your kid to go to a private college.
3. Your kid ain’t getting into UVA, W&M and probably Tech regardless.
4. So JMU it is. And it’s a great school.
5. Stop blaming your ex for your kid’s laziness.
Anonymous
07/21/2025 10:43
Subject: DC didn’t do SAT prep
Anonymous wrote:My two cents: kid has 2 Bs freshman year and the rest are all As? Fantastic grades.
Yes, he could improve substantially with prep and yes it could make a difference in the colleges where he is admitted. Applying test optional to highly selective schools is to be avoided if at all possible. He is a rising senior? Pay for the prep yourself if you can find an independent tutor with time this late in the summer.
The bigger question isn't about who pays for a thousand or two of prep. It's about funding college with a combined HHI >300k and combined assets - there might not be any need-based financial aid from top universities and the cost is 80 to 100k per year. Have you tried the Net Price Calculators for a variety of schools? Is there a 529 plan for this kid? Is there an agreement on how college will be paid for?
If you and your ex are not prepared to afford top schools, then the question changes to what schools are affordable. Maybe that's your state flagship. Maybe that's some other state flagships on merit, which tends to increase with a higher test score.
PP is correct. If you know the schools, you can research if an SAT bump will get you any "merit". "Merit" is a discounting strategy. Whether you get it depends on the school needs.
Kids hate it when asked to grind hard for a result they could have achieved without grinding. That's why I (DP) suggested you work backwards from the desired school list. That may tell you whether prep will help a lot or a little.
Anonymous
07/21/2025 10:39
Subject: DC didn’t do SAT prep
Anonymous wrote:1320 is a good score. Fyi 1350 is the 90% per centie.
I think many students and parents have lost the plot because with test-optional people stopped submitted anything under 1450-1500 for top schools.
The SAT does NOT matter as much in comparison to GPA. Also, as more top colleges transition to test-required, they are encouraging students to submit scores in the 90%ile and not just the 98%ile.
For example, last month at Tufts the AO said during an info session to parents/students that while they are remaining test-optional, they are strongly encouraging kids to submit any SAT scores over 1300 and any ACT over 28. They said the scores they are reporting for 25th%ile and 50th%ile are overly inflated because kids are holding back on submitting high scores and what's being reported is unfortunately intimidating and over-inflated due to being test optional.
+1
Try SAT one more time and if he can get a 1350, submit it.
Anonymous
07/21/2025 10:32
Subject: DC didn’t do SAT prep
My two cents: kid has 2 Bs freshman year and the rest are all As? Fantastic grades.
Yes, he could improve substantially with prep and yes it could make a difference in the colleges where he is admitted. Applying test optional to highly selective schools is to be avoided if at all possible. He is a rising senior? Pay for the prep yourself if you can find an independent tutor with time this late in the summer.
The bigger question isn't about who pays for a thousand or two of prep. It's about funding college with a combined HHI >300k and combined assets - there might not be any need-based financial aid from top universities and the cost is 80 to 100k per year. Have you tried the Net Price Calculators for a variety of schools? Is there a 529 plan for this kid? Is there an agreement on how college will be paid for?
If you and your ex are not prepared to afford top schools, then the question changes to what schools are affordable. Maybe that's your state flagship. Maybe that's some other state flagships on merit, which tends to increase with a higher test score.
Yes, he could improve substantially with prep and yes it could make a difference in the colleges where he is admitted. Applying test optional to highly selective schools is to be avoided if at all possible. He is a rising senior? Pay for the prep yourself if you can find an independent tutor with time this late in the summer.
The bigger question isn't about who pays for a thousand or two of prep. It's about funding college with a combined HHI >300k and combined assets - there might not be any need-based financial aid from top universities and the cost is 80 to 100k per year. Have you tried the Net Price Calculators for a variety of schools? Is there a 529 plan for this kid? Is there an agreement on how college will be paid for?
If you and your ex are not prepared to afford top schools, then the question changes to what schools are affordable. Maybe that's your state flagship. Maybe that's some other state flagships on merit, which tends to increase with a higher test score.
Anonymous
07/21/2025 10:21
Subject: DC didn’t do SAT prep
1320 is a good score. Fyi 1350 is the 90% per centie.
I think many students and parents have lost the plot because with test-optional people stopped submitted anything under 1450-1500 for top schools.
The SAT does NOT matter as much in comparison to GPA. Also, as more top colleges transition to test-required, they are encouraging students to submit scores in the 90%ile and not just the 98%ile.
For example, last month at Tufts the AO said during an info session to parents/students that while they are remaining test-optional, they are strongly encouraging kids to submit any SAT scores over 1300 and any ACT over 28. They said the scores they are reporting for 25th%ile and 50th%ile are overly inflated because kids are holding back on submitting high scores and what's being reported is unfortunately intimidating and over-inflated due to being test optional.
I think many students and parents have lost the plot because with test-optional people stopped submitted anything under 1450-1500 for top schools.
The SAT does NOT matter as much in comparison to GPA. Also, as more top colleges transition to test-required, they are encouraging students to submit scores in the 90%ile and not just the 98%ile.
For example, last month at Tufts the AO said during an info session to parents/students that while they are remaining test-optional, they are strongly encouraging kids to submit any SAT scores over 1300 and any ACT over 28. They said the scores they are reporting for 25th%ile and 50th%ile are overly inflated because kids are holding back on submitting high scores and what's being reported is unfortunately intimidating and over-inflated due to being test optional.
Anonymous
07/21/2025 10:10
Subject: DC didn’t do SAT prep
The Khan SAT prep program ended a year ago.
But still lots of online programs. That’s what my kids are doing. Even w a class, if you don’t do the homework etc it doesn’t really move numbers
But still lots of online programs. That’s what my kids are doing. Even w a class, if you don’t do the homework etc it doesn’t really move numbers
Anonymous
07/21/2025 10:08
Subject: DC didn’t do SAT prep
Both my kids just used khan academy, and SAT prep books I bought. They just took several practice exams. A lot of kids I know just do that.
It requires commitment on the part of the kid.
DC#1 was self driven; DC#2 needed pushing and prodding.
DC#1 scored 1580 but they are an academic superstar
DC#2 with some LD, got a 1440. DC was quite shocked, actually.
It requires commitment on the part of the kid.
DC#1 was self driven; DC#2 needed pushing and prodding.
DC#1 scored 1580 but they are an academic superstar
DC#2 with some LD, got a 1440. DC was quite shocked, actually.
Anonymous
07/21/2025 10:02
Subject: DC didn’t do SAT prep
Anonymous wrote:Ex H didn’t want to pay for SAT prep for our son because “he should just be able to do it himself online” which is technically true.
But in reality our teen has spent his time working and doing his sports and goofing around with friends the rest of the time. He got a 1320 in the spring which was surprisingly low even knowing he did not prep, as he usually scores well on standardized tests without prep, but SAT is different. I think he will improve it this fall based on knowing more what to expect but I doubt he’ll knock it out of the park.
His grades are good not spectacular (a couple of Bs freshman year when he was struggling emotionally with his dad being absent) so I was counting on a strong SAT score to increase his options. I underestimated how many kids around here prep, but without his dad on board I couldn’t swing it on my own financially.
My fear is we live in NoVa, I make 140k (but only after years of making far less or SAHM) and AOs assume we prep, so if he only gets up to a 1400 then he must be pretty mid. I don’t think his grades will cut it by going TO. I hate this whole system. End rant.
So he has mostly As aside from a few Bs in 9th? Not sure why you think TO won't "cut it'.
Anonymous
07/21/2025 09:54
Subject: DC didn’t do SAT prep
Would your son put in the time and prep if dad pays for the class? If not, then why waste the money?
Anonymous
07/21/2025 09:51
Subject: Re:DC didn’t do SAT prep
Only a small percentage of kids in the DMV do test prep. More at privates, but it's a small percentage at the publics. DCUM makes it seem like every kid is doing an expensive prep program which is not true. If your kid is not motivated to prep on his own, he will end up at the tier of college that fits his motivation level (which is a good thing) His score is actually very good and sounds like it matches his grades. Give your kid a break, get him excited for schools that fit his personality, and let him enjoy high school
Anonymous
07/21/2025 09:50
Subject: DC didn’t do SAT prep
Anonymous wrote:A PP. I suggest that you get serious about a college list. Your son needs to understand what schools he can/can't qualify for.
See if you can get him early access to the school portal for his high school (or the info inside it). By portal I mean SCOIR, Naviance, or other.
Your Ex is likely readying himself for school choice and payment battles with you. I'd recommend to stay out of it. Help your kid develop some schools he wants to go to that are financially manageable and have him present the case to your Ex. Your kid may be able to secure agreement for a plan that you and your Ex would battle over. Even if the schools aren't fancy.
DP. Agree. I see that coming too. If her DC didn't go to an ivy, Ex will say I am not paying. Stupid game.
Anonymous
07/21/2025 09:48
Subject: DC didn’t do SAT prep
IXL.com is not SAT prep but for relatively low money, if enough problems are done on the site, it can automatically identify gaps in a kid's math knowledge. Then that would provide a parent report that tracks very well with the Mathnasium franchise math intake assessment.
I believe Khan Academy will provide tutor reports as well. But you have to enroll in math classes by subject. The SAT prep has been hollowed out (exists, but is less rigorous than it was 2 years ago). College Board pulled some of their official content from Khan Academy when the digital SAT rolled out 100%.
I believe Khan Academy will provide tutor reports as well. But you have to enroll in math classes by subject. The SAT prep has been hollowed out (exists, but is less rigorous than it was 2 years ago). College Board pulled some of their official content from Khan Academy when the digital SAT rolled out 100%.
Anonymous
07/21/2025 09:43
Subject: DC didn’t do SAT prep
A PP. I suggest that you get serious about a college list. Your son needs to understand what schools he can/can't qualify for.
See if you can get him early access to the school portal for his high school (or the info inside it). By portal I mean SCOIR, Naviance, or other.
Your Ex is likely readying himself for school choice and payment battles with you. I'd recommend to stay out of it. Help your kid develop some schools he wants to go to that are financially manageable and have him present the case to your Ex. Your kid may be able to secure agreement for a plan that you and your Ex would battle over. Even if the schools aren't fancy.
See if you can get him early access to the school portal for his high school (or the info inside it). By portal I mean SCOIR, Naviance, or other.
Your Ex is likely readying himself for school choice and payment battles with you. I'd recommend to stay out of it. Help your kid develop some schools he wants to go to that are financially manageable and have him present the case to your Ex. Your kid may be able to secure agreement for a plan that you and your Ex would battle over. Even if the schools aren't fancy.
Anonymous
07/21/2025 09:41
Subject: DC didn’t do SAT prep
My dc pulled his score up by 200 just with Khan. And in late summer/fall.