Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Looks like you've gotten a lot of good advice already, but I will add and echo others. I would disregard this as any indicator of dd's intellect or college track. I woukd take away the impact of the anxiety and set up therapy if not in it already. I would also make note to have her double check on accommodations for all future testing. I think studying is helpful, but I also see merit in ditching SAT format altogether for ACT. SAT has convoluted questioning that can sabotage some students. ACT is more straightforward. When my junior switched to ACT, she initially got an upper 20s score but earned a 35 on her first actual test after working through a prep book. She is adhd, and I always joke that standardized testing with her is like going to the craps table! But, ACT prep seemed to make sense, and she was consistently in 34-35 range after about 4 weeks working through the book.

I used to teach SAT test prep. It does not measure intelligence or content mastery or college readiness. It only measures how well a student does with those questions.

You know your kid is bright. She does well at school. She will do well in college, but it is good that you have an opportunity to help her prepare for this aspect of college admissions or enhance other parts of her academic portfolio if she decides to apply TO. There is no shame in that! All the best to you both.

This is so helpful, thanks. I’ll look into the ACT.

Anonymous wrote:I need some perspective and kindness please.

I just received sophomore DD’s scores and they are very low (as in “not on track for college” according to the College Board low). She doesn’t know yet and I’m wondering if I should break the news or let her find out on her own. She has extreme test anxiety and despite her accommodations, the school messed up and she didn’t receive them. She panicked on the test and left whole sections blank. I had the option to throw out the results, but I didn’t and now I regret it. My husband says to forget about it, but I’m pretty anxious too.

Where do we go from here? How can I help her prepare without freaking her out more? She’s a good student (mostly As in honors/AP) but a terrible test taker, obviously. We had her tested for learning disabilities years ago but received a diagnosis of anxiety instead. I’m at a loss.

Anonymous wrote:OP just stop

PSAT'S MEAN NOTHING.


You are giving your kid test anxiety

Anonymous wrote:Did she do any prep for the PSAT? Schools do not know the PSAT score unless the student is NMSF. I think it's possible to prepare for the SAT and increase your score significantly. My daughter had a mediocre score on the PSAT but her SAT was 180 points higher.

Anonymous wrote:I need some perspective and kindness please.

I just received sophomore DD’s scores and they are very low (as in “not on track for college” according to the College Board low). She doesn’t know yet and I’m wondering if I should break the news or let her find out on her own. She has extreme test anxiety and despite her accommodations, the school messed up and she didn’t receive them. She panicked on the test and left whole sections blank. I had the option to throw out the results, but I didn’t and now I regret it. My husband says to forget about it, but I’m pretty anxious too.

Where do we go from here? How can I help her prepare without freaking her out more? She’s a good student (mostly As in honors/AP) but a terrible test taker, obviously. We had her tested for learning disabilities years ago but received a diagnosis of anxiety instead. I’m at a loss.

Anonymous wrote:Looks like you've gotten a lot of good advice already, but I will add and echo others. I would disregard this as any indicator of dd's intellect or college track. I woukd take away the impact of the anxiety and set up therapy if not in it already. I would also make note to have her double check on accommodations for all future testing. I think studying is helpful, but I also see merit in ditching SAT format altogether for ACT. SAT has convoluted questioning that can sabotage some students. ACT is more straightforward. When my junior switched to ACT, she initially got an upper 20s score but earned a 35 on her first actual test after working through a prep book. She is adhd, and I always joke that standardized testing with her is like going to the craps table! But, ACT prep seemed to make sense, and she was consistently in 34-35 range after about 4 weeks working through the book.

I used to teach SAT test prep. It does not measure intelligence or content mastery or college readiness. It only measures how well a student does with those questions.

You know your kid is bright. She does well at school. She will do well in college, but it is good that you have an opportunity to help her prepare for this aspect of college admissions or enhance other parts of her academic portfolio if she decides to apply TO. There is no shame in that! All the best to you both.