HS Freshman taking SAT -- advice requested

Test Preparation SAT Preparation
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<p>My younger son, a high school freshman, will be taking the SAT next month. He previously took it in the sixth grade as part of one of those talent search programs. At that time (old test) he got a 600v/500m. Last year in eighth grade he took the ACT and pulled a 32, so he certainly appears to be a pretty good tester.</p>

<p>Anyway, we suggested he take the SAT this year mostly so he gets used to the new format, particularly in advance of taking the PSAT his junior year. </p>

<p>Here's my first question: In the past he hasn't done any significant preparation for these exams. Last year I convinced him to look at an ACT practice test (I want to say it was one of those Princeton books) that his older brother (then a high school junior) had, as he was also taking the test. So he spun through that the night before the exam. But that was it. Frankly we viewed the earlier tests as just acclimation exercises. It was hard enough just to convince him to give up a Saturday morning.</p>

<p>Now that he's in high school, however, will the results of this SAT exam go on his "permanent record," so to speak? Put another way, can he do himself any damage with a so-so score at this point? Like any high school freshman he's about as eager to spend time studying for a college entrance exam as he is to eat his vegetables. But if it's truly important, I could probably find a way to induce him to put a little time in during the next couple weeks with a study guide.</p>

<p>Second question: If he needs any help, it's surely in the math and writing sections. He pretty much flatlined all the "verbal" parts of the ACT last year across the top, but his math and writing scores were not as mature. (Granted, he had not yet taken much of the math that appeared on the exam.) Does anyone have any particular suggestion for a "kid-friendly" practice guide in those areas, either on the shelves or on line?</p>

<p>Last question: when my wife signed him up for the test she came to the question about colleges to send the scores to and somewhat arbitrarily picked four schools. Good idea or bad idea to send scores at this point? I have no idea if colleges care about or even look at exam scores they get from high school freshmen. Does anyone know?</p>

<p>To put it in context I really don't know what this son's interests will be when it comes to college -- either where he'll want to go or what he'll want to study. I very much doubt we'll play the "Ivy" game regardless of his credentials, whatever they might be, but I don't want to make a mis-step now that will restrict his options when the time comes, particularly since the whole point of him taking the test now is really just to help him be ready when it "counts."</p>

<p>Anyway, any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.</p>

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<p>about the sending scores part</p>

<p>it is not mandatory to send your scores for your sat, so instead you should just leave that box blank. You can choose to send the scores after the SAT i believe , but since your son is a freshman, he still has time to prepare for better scores to send in.</p>

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<p>The answer to your question is yes. Once you enter high school, all scores become a part of your SAT report. When you send your SAT scores to a college it sends all of your scores, including the ones that he would take freshman year.
It's not like that with the ACT.</p>

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<p>Yes, they will be on his record. However, he will certainly score higher one day and that is what the colleges will really look at.</p>

<p>Colleges won't look at any scores sent by anyone without an application. Even if he was a senior, the colleges wouldn't be looking at his scores, they would just file them away. Some schools will probably dispose of the scores you are sending now because they will be re-sent when his SAT scores are sent with his application and he is years from applying. </p>

<p>Meanwhile, I wouldn't recommend he take any more SATs until his junior year. :) If he is testing that well he theoretically won't have any problem making National Merit his junior year. Taking SATs at $60 odd before they're intended to count for anything will do just that- not count for anything. It's good that as a freshman he will get used to the timing and atmopshere, but he honestly will probably forget most of what it feels like unless you had him taking them several times. In addition, I personally don't feel anything can prepare someone for the feeling of when the SAT counts for something big. I think the closest feeling to that comes from taking the PSAT junior year when it counts for merit money. Even though he will get used to the atompshere of the test-taking centre, he won't be feeling anywhere near the same way when he sits down to take them junior year for admissions (although this varies from student to student). To get his timing down, he can sit practice tests at home. </p>

<p>One good plan you've got going is to prep him for the PSAT using SAT material. That is a great idea, as the PSAT is over less difficult material. Your preperations now for the SAT will help him on his PSAT junior year. Meanwhile, sign him up through the school for PSATs sophomore year if that is not part of the programme.</p>

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<p>There's one way to match that atmosphere. When he is sleeping at night, surprise him and make him start answering from a prep book. =D</p>

<p>okay. I was kidding..</p>

<p>Depending on what college he applies for, that college might average out the scores or take the highest.</p>