Hey everybody. I know that it may be a bit too early to be thinking about this, but I was wondering if I could have some help with devising a study plan so that I’m prepared for standardized testing in hs.
The other day I was thinking about the SAT + ACT, and decided that I would much rather study very slowly for a couple of years rather than rush in my junior/senior year. I’m going to a competitive boarding school for hs next year and the idea of intense classes + college applications + ECs + test prep + social life all together sounds like a nightmare.
Currently I have a lot of free time so I was considering buying a book and just taking it slow. I know that I would have to wait until I am in geometry + alg II to work on the math section, but I would like to get an early feel for the other sections. Reading comp is my natural specialty, so I’m less concerned about that. The most concerning to me is the essay section.
BTW: I would really appreciate it if people don’t comment things like “stop worrying” or “you’re too young”. I’m not worried, I’m not some crazy overachiever stressing about getting into Ivies in 8th grade, and I’m not at all pressured by my parents to start studying. I just think that it’s more smart to spend my copious amounts of free time that I have right now studying for the SAT + ACT because I know that I’ll have lots of schoolwork and other things to do when studying time does come around in hs. I had an old neighbor who’s kids began taking the SAT in 9th. They weren’t pressured or anything, but they would keep taking the SAT and add little bits of studying where they needed to. Eventually when time came around to actually take it for college admissions, they were totally prepared and got perfect scores.
So… do you think that this is a good or bad idea? And if you think that it’s a good idea, what should I start with? What’s typically the hardest aspect of these tests? What do you recommend?
Thanks so much! Any input is greatly appreciated!
For my D1, just 1 ummer was enough to deplete all practice test materials available and reach a good plateau score. You should focus on your school work to have a good foundation of knowledge before really preparing for the test. For 9and 10 grade, just take the PSAT to be familiar with the format and to find out areas need improvement s enough.
I would go on Khan academy for like 20-30 mins a night and just start working away at that. It was pretty helpful for my daughter. Another thought would be to practice on a website called “no red ink”. It is free and teaches grammar rules that you may not be learning in school
I will go more for test taking strategy. Our D took ACT and SAT once per semester from Spring of Sophomore year through Fall of Senior year. Before folks complain about sophomore, she had completed all math required for SAT. She went from a 32 to 34 on ACT and stopped Spring junior year. She took SAT once more as senior and scored 1530.
I doubt she studied 15 hours the whole time and that was taking practice tests. She attended a boarding school and just didn’t have time. By spreading tests out, she wasn’t constantly taking tests and had time to adjust if necessary if she underperformed in an area. She was also comfortable on test day by Spring of her junior year and the timing was not an issue.
Next big piece of advice is if you intend on applying to schools that require subject tests, take them in June the year you took the subject. This was our biggest mistake. She took US history a year after completing the subject and math well after she had completed all concepts on the test. She scored over 700 on both and got in to a top school but she should have taken both after sophomore year instead of junior year. Then if you add physics, etc. you aren’t taking too many subject tests after junior year. You only need two subjects or occassionally three. Check with the schools that you are interested in and if majoring STEM, if they required physics or Math 2.
Good luck!
I recommend not having a 4-year SAT prep plan. Your school undoubtedly will have SAT prep classes, so wait until then. Certainly continue to read outside of schoolwork, whether books, magazines, newspapers, etc, to help you build vocabulary. But really, what you need to do is wait. Particularly on the CR piece, you are just going to get better as you get older; it’s just the normal brain process.
And unless your school requires both, no need to take both SAT and ACT, unless you find through practice tests that you get consistently higher scores on one vs. the other.
Well, as you know, you can’t dictate here what people can say. That said, I won’t say those things, but I will suggest that you relax a little. 
@skieurope thanks for the input! You’re right, I should probably relax. Too much free time at the end of the school year = obsessive planning and overthinking. :))
@Sportsman88 that sounds like a great plan! My sister did the same thing and it worked well for her!
As @rofikicafe said, Khan Academy is a great way to prepare for the SAT, but don’t feel pressured to start studying! Personally, I like to go on there just for fun (don’t judge me, I’m weird 
) but not to study for the SAT, only to learn to math concepts. When the time comes, though, I definitely recommend using it! It is totally free, and it can tailor your study plan around your strengths/weaknesses so you can review more on the things that you are struggling on.
@phearts I love Khan Academy too! I love doing geometry on there when I had too much time on my hands :)>-