Originally appeared in the Orange County Register. Link to article here.
Here are a few tips for parents who want to help their children perform their best on these critical exams:
1. Choose the SAT or ACT.
Most colleges will accept either score, so there’s no need to take both. Which is best for your child depends on his or her learning style: the ACT tests advanced academic concepts in a straightforward way, and the SAT tests reasoning skills rooted in very basic academic concepts. However, the College Board announced a redesigned SAT test for 2016, so students taking the exam in 2016, 2017 or 2018 might want to take the ACT instead, as it will take a few years for educators to catch up with what the new exam entails.
2. Set a timeline.
Students should take a diagnostic SAT or ACT test during the fall of their junior year to provide ample time to study and prepare. This prep test identifies students’ strengths and weaknesses, giving them a better understanding of how to study.
3. Know when to bring in outside help.
If your child struggles with self-guided textbooks or in group courses, an individual tutor – online or in person – may be the right choice. Before investing in any one-on-one training, be sure to keep your (and your child’s) expectations in check. On average, students who complete 12 hours of tutoring improve SAT scores by 200 points.
4. Pick the right study method.
Regardless of which prep method you and your child choose, make sure it is tailored to his or her needs. The majority of studying time should be focused on improving weaknesses in the concepts that will provide the highest score increase. In general, the best ways to customize prep is through a self-guided online course or with a one-on-one tutor.
5. Take practice tests, and then take them again.
Taking timed, full-length practice tests is one of the most important things your child can to do improve performance and expose problem areas. Just like training for an athletic event, building up the brain’s endurance will enable your child to avoid the silly errors that come from test fatigue.
