<p>RTR, it is not that drastic. Many elements your D will gain during the practice will apply to both tests. Taking a couple of math sections from both tests will help deternining her strengths and weaknesses. Knowing how to correct the weaker parts will also help identifying which test fits your D the best. As other have said, the pace of the tests is a bit different, and so is the guessing approach. </p>
<p>You might consider starting your D on a program of self-study, and perhaps retaining the tutor after a few weeks for some guidance. A lot of the basic “tools” will come naturally in the earlier stages. Perhaps, such an approach will be cost-effective. </p>
<p>Fwiw, 90 percent of the gains will come from the self-confidence gained from knowing what to expect. Few people reason well when panicking or feeling stressed out! </p>
<p>@jumpingstar, kid #1 took 2 months in the summer, about 4 hours each day max, then 2 weeks during the winter break. Kid #2 took 2 weeks in the summer and intense prepping in the winter break, everyday except Xmas day and Eve. They both started with similar baseline, kid #1 was 2000+, kid #2 was 1900+. Honestly I was most worried about kid #2, she was not a great reader nor writer, her only strength was in math. They both took it the exact same date in respect in their Junior year, Jan SAT test. Both reach top 1% percentile(2300+), but kid #2 was slightly higher because her scores were much more even(all above 760+ on all portions). The only difference, knowing kid #2’s weakness I ordered the 500 words for SAT(tips from the CC kids) so that helped her tremendously. I saved the online test for the absolutely lastest. I’m not sure how closely I followed Xiggi’s method, but one thing I did remember he wrote that stood out and was extremently helpful, was to practice the first few tests without the time pressure, I wouldn’t have thought about that. Made sure the kids went through the whole test roughly within the time allowed, not to worry about the exact time. They read a few SAT preps like Grubers and RocketReview, did 10 old SATs, then practice with time allowed for extra tests from Princeton or Barrons or whatever the kids on CC’s SAT forum suggested, then the last 2 weeks during winter break, took the online test on paper to see what kind of grade they would get for the essay portion. When they both got at least 2 tests with 2350+ then I think it gave them enough confidence for the real test. Not panicking and make sure your blood sugar level is constant, ie not dropping which could affect concentration(they are not diabetics), they did eat protein like eggs, nuts and etc… before the test. There is no secret about, if I have a third kid, I’m sure I would have been able to prep and the result would have been the same, my kids have different academic strengths and weaknesses, but the results are generally the same, both self-taught. I only organized the scheduling, didn’t help at all with anything, not even the math part. Many of my nephews and nieces paid to go to SAT prep like Elite but the results were no better, in fact I think my kids had better SAT. It was not that I couldn’t afford the money for prep class, but I couldn’t afford to outsource the prepping when there was no guarantee for the results, plus there was no transportation to/from the prep center, both mom and dad were not home in the summer.</p>
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