<p>I'm only in the ninth grade and I want to take the SAT's in June just to try it out. I am familiar with SSAT's as I just finished my applications to independent high schools, so I just want to get the SSAT's out of my system and familiarize the SAT's.</p>
<p>I have several concerns regarding the SAT's that I hope you guys can help me with:
1) I know I will do poorly, and I do not want this attempt to be used against me when I actually apply. Is my Freshmen test score going to tag along my OFFICIAL SAT report from Junior/Senior year?</p>
<p>2) Which test prep books work best? I prefer Kaplan because it was very effective for the SSAT's and I was hoping to order a dozen of their SAT test preps too. So what I'm really asking is, is there any other books that rival Kaplan? (I do not like Princeton Review :( )</p>
<p>3) Is the College Board online course effective? I know that lots of people dislike their prep books, so is the online course the same?</p>
<p>As for your second question, I would recommend Barron’s or the College Board Blue Book (this official guide has “real” SAT tests). I have found that the Barron’s reading and writing workbooks have worked well for me.</p>
<p>Your scores won’t get sent out to colleges when you’re applying to schools Senior year as long as you don’t choose to send them for free now. You’ll have the option to decide what to do with them later. That said, why so eager to take it now if you’re convinced you’ll do poorly? Seems you could be doing other things with your time that will eventually be useful for college apps…like volunteering, etc.</p>
<p>I would wait until your Junior year to take the SAT’s. By then, you will have acquired most of the knowledge required to obtain a decent score. You should take the PSAT’s if they are available. This would be a condensed version of the SAT’s. I believe most school districts offer the PSAT early in the Junior year and the SAT’s at the end. You can always take the SAT’s (or ACTs) again early in your Senior year to improve your score. As a Freshman, here is what would be a far greater use of your time. Challenge yourself academically. If your school offers Honors level or AP course you are eligible to take, enroll in those and do your best. Consider leadership opportunities - play a team sport, join your school band or chorus, or student council. Show civic duty - volunteer at worthy not for profit institutions that interest you. In your Sophmore/Junior year, work towards gaining eligibility requirement for induction into your National Honor Society. All these things will help round out your educational experience. SAT’s and ACT’s are only a small portion of what a college wants to see in their students. Many colleges are now, turning a bit more towards looking at overall GPA and grades (showing academic challenge), than just SAT scores. Enjoy your 4 high school years. Don’t worry about standardized testing yet…you have a long way to go! Good luck!</p>