Suniti's Advice Corner

Finding time to complete your schoolwork on top of studying for the SAT and ACT is difficult. Having a goal in mind over the course of your test-prep journey will help you stay focused and motivated. Since this score is meant to be a source of motivation it should be realistic and attainable. It should not be chosen arbitrarily. Here are some questions to consider when making this decision. 

How did you do on practice tests?

Practice tests, the PLAN or the PSAT are great resources to use when trying to choose a target score. According to a 2007 study by the CollegeBoard, on average students who take the PSAT end up improving their performance on the actual SAT. To this end, your practice test results can help ensure that you are keeping your target score realistic and achievable. As you study you should be taking practice tests at regular intervals. These practice test scores will help you track your progress against your target score. 

What colleges are you planning to apply to?

When deciding on a target score it is important to keep your college list in mind. All the schools you are considering will share information about the SAT and ACT score ranges for their accepted students. The official admissions website for a given school is a good place to start researching this information. Use it to help you narrow your target score range.

Some colleges and universities will not consider applications below a certain minimum score threshold. For other schools students are guaranteed acceptance if they have the required test scores and GPA.

Are you being realistic?

We all want perfect scores, however the most important piece of advice is to remain realistic when setting score goals. And don’t let your score goal bring you down. Remind yourself that there is more to your college application than just your SAT/ACT score. You should also consider the kind of test taker that you are when making this decision. That said, I encourage you to attempt to get the highest score you can.

How are the other parts of your college application?

We have all heard the stories of students who have gotten perfect SAT or ACT scores but were still denied entry into certain schools. Your college application will consist of recommendations, personal statements, lists of your extra-curricular activities, your course load, leadership positions etc.

Our experts can help you set your SAT/ACT score goal, contact them to set up your personal consultation.

While you may already know what to do with your SAT scores once you have received them, here are some things you can learn from these scores. Your SAT score can help you understand your comprehension of high school level material, your competitiveness as a college applicant, and your eligibility for certain college scholarships.

1. Competitiveness for your chosen colleges

One of the main key reasons to take the SAT is to gain admission to the college or university of your choice. The SAT helps college admissions officers assess your reading, writing, and math skills. It also helps colleges estimate your potential academic performance if admitted. Your SAT score is just one of the criteria used to determine college admission. Once you have your score you can compare it to the score ranges at the schools you plan to apply to. Your position within a given school’s SAT test score range can indicate your strength as a potential applicant.

2. Eligibility for certain scholarships

High SAT scores often translate to a heightened potential of receiving scholarships. A number of colleges and universities have scholarships set aside for students who hit a certain GPA and SAT score minimum. Once you know your SAT score, you can use it to inform your scholarship research, and determine your eligibility for scholarships that require you to submit an SAT score. 

3. Understanding of subject area strengths and weaknesses

You will receive an SAT score report along with your score. This score report will provide a summary of your performance on the SAT critical reading, math, and writing sections. For each one of these sections you will receive a breakdown of the number of correct, incorrect, and omitted answers. The score details section of your score report will allow you to understand how you performed on each type of question. Statistics about your probability of improving your score if you take the test again are also included in the score report. This information can help you plan and study for the next time you take the test.

4. Ability to skip introductory college courses

Getting into a college is only the beginning of your journey. Once you get to college, it is important to continue challenging yourself intellectually. At many colleges and universities, your SAT score can help decide whether or not you have to take certain entry-level math, reading, and writing classes. Placement criteria varies by school. Double-check the policy for the school where you are planning to matriculate.

5. Eligibility for competitive jobs in the years after college

Your SAT score will continue to be relevant even in your post-grad life. In the professional fields of tech, consulting, and finance recruiters often ask recent college graduates to submit their SAT scores. These scores are often one of the criteria used to help potential employers sort through all the resumes they receive every year.

Your ACT score is just as valuable as your SAT score. Look for a future blog post from us about what your ACT score can teach you. If you’re having trouble deciding between the two tests, be sure to check out our SAT vs ACT webinar to learn which test might be right for you.

Over the past few years the ACT has been growing in popularity. In 2012 for the first time ever, more students took the ACT than the SAT. For students planning to take the ACT there are a few changes that they should be aware of. These changes represent an effort by the organization to remain relevant to both college and career bound high school seniors. These changes are slated to take effect in 2015.

Clearer Score Reporting

Each of the ACT’s four sections receives a score between 1-36, these scores are then averaged to arrive at a composite score. This will not change. In 2015 test takers will receive the following additional readiness scores and indicators:

STEM Score: The ACT is the only national college admissions test that measures science aptitude. This score will represent student performance on the science and math sections of the test.

Progress Toward Career Readiness Indicator: For students who may be going straight into a career post-college, this indicator measures career readiness. It will provide a sense of how students will perform on the ACT National Career Readiness Certificate. The NCRC is used to certify that an individual has the foundational work skills needed for work success across industries and occupations.

English Language Arts Score: Students who complete the ACT essay receive an English language arts score. This score is an assessment of student performance on the English, reading, and writing sections of the ACT.

Text Complexity Progress Indicator: This indicator allows students to assess their ability to understand the complex texts that will be presented to them in college.

Optional Constructed-Response Questions

Schools will have the option of having their students answer an additional set of open-response questions. Answers to these questions will be used to link student performance to Common Core state standards.

Online Administration

In April 2014, four thousand students took the ACT online. In 2015 the digital version of the ACT will be offered at all schools that participate in state and district testing.

Enhanced ACT Writing Test

In 2015 the ACTs writing subsection will change its focus and scoring. Students will receive a score for each of the following characteristics: ideas and analysis, development and support, organization, and language use. In order to get a high score students will have to demonstrate an, “ability to evaluate multiple perspectives on a complex issue and generate an analysis based on reasoning, knowledge, and experience”.

Want to learn more about the proposed ACT changes? Check out the press release here: http://www.act.org/newsroom/releases/view.php?p=3183&lang=english

 Sources: ACT Inc, ACT Next Website

The college application process is long, arduous and stressful for children as well as parents. Standardized testing (SAT/ACT) is required by most colleges & universities in the United States, and can often be the most strenuous part of the application. As parents, in addition to being a source of support for your child, it is important to provide guidance and structure throughout the process. And when it comes to the SAT/ACT, a clear test-taking plan agreed upon between you and your child can take a lot of the anxiety and stress out of the process. Listed below are some tips that can hopefully guide this plan.

Grade 9

Your child should focus on mastering the key concepts and fundamentals that will be tested on both the SAT and ACT. Mastery of the topics covered in the high school classroom will make SAT/ACT preparation easier in later years. If there are any topics in school that your child is struggling with, make sure you get the help needed to address those weaknesses while the learnings are still fresh. 

Grade 10

Sit down with your child to create a test-taking plan. This test-taking plan should address the following:

1. Will your child be taking the SAT, ACT, or both? (The SAT is changing. Read this to understand the changes)
2. Which test dates work best for your child?
3. How will test-prep fit into your child’s academic, extra-curricular, and familial commitments?
4. What will the test-prep method be?
5. When will test-prep begin?

(We recommend beginning test prep over the summer after 10^th grade)

Your child might take the PSAT for the first time in grade 10. If the test is offered at your child’s school, we highly encourage that they take the test. It serves as a good reminder that the college application process is right around the corner. Don’t worry, the 10^th grade PSAT results are just benchmarks, they don’t count towards the National Merit Scholarship etc. 

Grade 11

In order to have more time for the college application process, the majority of standardized testing should be completed during 11^th grade. Your child will take the PSAT in October of their Junior year. For students in the United States, these results will determine their eligibility for the National Merit Scholarship. PSAT scores will be released to the school counselors in December. Click here to understand your child’s PSAT scores.

1. October – PSAT
2. December – PSAT scores released
3. January/March – 1^st SAT attempt
4. February/April – 1^st ACT Attempt
5. May/June – 2^nd SAT attempt

Grade 12

Rising seniors who have not gotten their target SAT score should use the summer to study. Seniors can then plan to take the SAT for the last time in October. The ACT should be attempted for the second time in September.

Seniors should complete their standardized testing earlier on, so that they can focus on having a strong finish to their high school academic career. This will also allow them to dedicate the necessary resources to submit their very best attempt a compelling college application. 

Have more specific questions about your child’s test-prep plan? Contact us to schedule you personal TestRocker consultation.

You might also find these blogs useful:

Why is the SAT/ACT important?

Five questions to ask when selecting a test prep method

Whether you've been studying for months, or just realized that your June ACT is only a few weeks away, use our 3 week study calendar to help you study smarter.

Here are the three steps to ensure you get your dream ACT score on June 14th:

1. If you haven't already done so, sign up for our free trial. If you enjoy learning with TestRocker then purchase our program!
2. Use the calendar below and work through the recommended modules, video concepts, and practice quizzes.
3. Wake up calm and relaxed on June 14th, and rock the ACT!

Since TestRocker is completely online, you can prep for the ACT whenever you want, wherever you want. In fact after your test, continue to use TestRocker to prepare for your next ACT. Good luck!

Click here to download the calendar!

Ready to rock the test?

Whether you've been studying for months, or just realized that your June SAT is only a few weeks away, use our 4 week last minute test prep calendar to help you study smarter.

Here are the three steps to ensure you get your dream SAT score on June 3rd:

1. If you haven't already done so, sign up for our free trial. If you enjoy learning with TestRocker then purchase our program!
2. Use the calendar below and work through the recommended modules, video concepts, and practice quizzes.
3. Wake up calm and relaxed on June 3rd, and rock the SAT!

Since TestRocker is completely online, you can prep for the SAT whenever you want, wherever you want. In fact after your test, continue to use TestRocker to prepare for your next SAT. Good luck!

Click here to download the calendar!

As the parent of a teen, it can be challenging to find a balance between encouraging your child to study and being perceived as overbearing. The key to navigating this delicate balance is understanding your child as an individual. There is more than one right way to support your child. Thousands of students and their parents have found the following tips helpful in bringing some calm to the sometimes stressful process of preparing for the SAT and ACT.

For guidance on the courses of action and options, schedule a time to get help from us. 

Create a Plan

Sit down with your child during the summer between Sophomore and Junior year to create a test-taking plan. Decide which tests need to be taken (SAT, ACT, Both, Subject Tests, TOEFL), familiarize yourself with the test dates for each, and tentatively plan out when each test should be attempted. Take school exams, extra-curricular activities and academic course-loads into consideration. Preparation is certainly important, so research and select the method of preparation for each test. Proactive planning and setting expectations together will prevent your child and you from feeling overwhelmed when the school year gets busy.

To download TestRockers recommended plan click here. 

For international students, download our guide to college in the U.S. right here. 

Observe and Stick to Gentle Reminders

Ignore any inclination to nag your child to study, instead take a step back. Allow them to set their own study schedules. Be watchful and decide if your child is studying sufficiently. If you find that your child is not studying as much as they should be, gently remind your child to stay focused. Connect their studying to the big picture (their dream university). If you are using a tutor, request progress reports. If using an online program, progress data should be available. For example, TestRocker's SAT/ACT programs send parents bi-weekly progress reports that detail the amount of time spent on the program and progress made. Parents can use such reports to partner with their child in an encouraging manner. 

Be Calm and Don’t Panic

Be a source of calm during this process. Your positive outlook might keep stress from rubbing off on your child. Be a relaxed and listening ear when your child needs to vent. Many parents panic when they see their child’s PSAT scores, because they were expecting better scores. When you panic, so does your child. Instead, guide your child back to the plan you created together over the summer to work towards a better score.

7 Tips to Reduce Test Anxiety

Be Encouraging

As a parent it’s important to constantly express your confidence in your child’s ability to do well on the SAT or ACT. After a particularly tough practice test or study session ensure that you continue to be in your child’s corner.

Prioritize Test-Prep

Schedule family activities so that they will not be a distraction to your child. Parents and the entire family should reschedule key activities to accommodate for any test-prep time. For example, if your child is taking the January SAT test, it might not be the best idea to plan a December vacation, unless the child has access to an online program or a test-prep book and is able to focus on preparing despite distractions.

Do you have any questions about supporting your child through this process? Need help in creating your test-taking plan?

Schedule a time with us to discuss options and courses of action.

Image Source: Google Images

2014 has been a big year for the SAT. Earlier this year, The College Board announced its plans for the redesigned SAT. We outlined these planned changes in a recent blog. Since then, the College Board has released additional details about the structure and content of the new SAT as well as sample questions for each section.

The New SAT Structure

There are two major structural differences between the new SAT and the old SAT. The first is the removal of the SAT guessing penalty. Starting in the spring of 2016 (with the class of 2017), students will no longer lose points for incorrect responses. The second is a change in the number of answer choices. On each multiple-choice question students will choose their answer from four options instead of five. The new SAT will be scored on a 1600-point scale. See the table below for a fuller comparison between the current and redesigned SAT.

Source: College Board 

The New SAT Reading & Writing Section

Vocabulary will continue to play an important role on the redesigned SAT, however the words on the test will be more familiar to students. Students will be tested for words that they are more likely to see at college and beyond. The new SAT will continue to test a student’s ability to understand vocab words in context, but will also place a greater emphasis on how word choice shapes meaning, tone, and impact.

The reading section on the new SAT will include a passage from one of the following:

1. the US founding documents (e.g., the Declaration of Independence)
2. a text that is part of the “Great Global Conversation” (e.g., MLK’s “I Have a Dream” speech)
3. a work by an author outside of the United States who is addressing the topic of freedom, justice, or liberty

These passages will be used to test students on source analysis and evidence-use skills, according to The College Board, as a means to better assess college and career readiness.

The New SAT Math Section

The new SAT math section will be 80 minutes long and require students to answer 57 questions. Most questions will be multiple-choice and some will be free response. While the new math section is 10 minutes longer, students won’t be able to use their calculators for a 25-minute portion of the test. In terms of content, this section will have a heavy focus on algebra and analyzing, solving, and creating linear equations and inequalities. 

The New SAT Essay Section

The SAT Essay is now optional. Colleges and universities will decide whether they require it of their applicants or not. Students who do opt to take the essay will have 50 minutes to structure and write their essay instead of 25 minutes. The essay will no longer be based on a student’s personal opinion, instead test takers will be expected to read a passage, and analyze that source. Students must make evidence-based arguments and explain an author’s motives for taking a certain point of view.

Want to see additional details about the redesigned SAT? You can view all the changes and sample questions here.

Image & Table Source: The College Board; Google Images

Whether you've been studying for months, or just realized that your May SAT is only a few weeks away, use our 3 week study calendar to help you study smarter.

Here are the three steps to ensure you get your dream SAT score on May 3rd:

1. If you haven't already done so, sign up for our free trial. If you enjoy learning with TestRocker then purchase our program!
2. Use the calendar below and work through the recommended modules, video concepts, and practice quizzes.
3. Wake up calm and relaxed on May 3rd, and rock the SAT!

Since TestRocker is completely online, you can prep for the SAT whenever you want, wherever you want. In fact after your test, continue to use TestRocker to prepare for your next SAT. Good luck!

Click here to download the calendar!

Ready to rock the test?

Taking the SAT or ACT is never as simple as registering for the test and showing up. There are so many other decisions at play, so it is very important to be clear about which tests you need to take (AP, SAT Subject Tests, IB, SAT, ACT etc.), how many times and when you should to take them. Here is a list of what your peers have asked us about their testing plans lately:

Q: I took the January/March SAT and am planning to take it again, but am having trouble choosing between the May and June SAT and SAT Subject tests. What do you recommend?

You should only take the SAT or ACT when you have prepared sufficiently and feel “test-ready”. Assuming that you have adequately prepared:

i. If you are studying for AP/IB curriculum exams, plan to take the SAT II Subject tests in May. Any preparation for AP/IB exams can be used to take SAT II subject tests that cover the same topic.

ii. AP/IB exam students who take their SAT IIs in May are then able to get some relief after their school exams and still continue preparing for the June SAT.

Q: I am planning to take the SAT in May, should I plan to take it again in June or wait until October?

You should only retake tests after first identifying and addressing any knowledge gaps, followed by rigorous test preparation. The October SAT is the perfect time to retake the test because you can use your summer to get prepared and see an even greater score improvement.

Q: How many times should I plan to take the SAT? What about the ACT?

Many colleges accept SAT super scores, so you should plan to take it up to 3 times and combine your best score from each section. Make sure you take the time between attempts to analyze your score report and see where you need to make improvements to boost your score. At TestRocker, we do that for you! For the ACT we advise our students not to take the test more than 2 times because, based on our experience, you won’t see a significant improvement between a 2nd and 3rd ACT attempt.

Have other SAT/ACT questions? We’d be happy to answer them click here to set up time with one of our test-prep experts.