Is it too early for S22 to take a prep class? There’s one being offered locally, for a great price. We live in a VERY small town with few opportunities like this.
I’m predicting S is going to struggle mightily with the test, he took the PSAT for the first time last week and proclaimed it very difficult, particularly the reading. (I think he’s got a touch of ADHD.) Anyway, just wondering if it’s too early for a prep class. Maybe he’ll just forget it all anyway? Thoughts?
D21 had a rising freshman in her class this past summer! I thought it was way too early, but I guess if your student doesn’t fight going, it can’t hurt. They might not remember the tips and tricks by the time they test. What level math is your son in? He may test earlier in junior year if he’s done with Algebra 2 by then.
He is taking Algebra 2 right now. He is not a particularly strong student, but is very agreeable to improving and unlike my D20, would happily go to the class if I tell him it’s a good idea. I agree, freshman is really young unless perhaps they were going for NMSQT? Certainly not the case with S. 
D said the freshman was the smartest kid in the class! If he’s in Alg2 now, it’s not too soon to prep. D21 took it for the first time in Aug since she just finished Alg2.
Too early.
Teenage brains keep growing. So your kid is most likely to get their highest score later and also having had a few practice tests.
For now, focus on getting your kid time acommodations for the ADHD if possible. They aren’t that hard to get if (a big if) you have the fat file of testing and school accommodations going back several years. Basically impossible to get if you try to do it at the last minute.
Second, use the time now to figure out if your kid is a better SAT taker vs. an ACT taker. The PSAT is good data for SAT affinity. Many kids have a preference one way or the other.
Third, imo the best time to prep (on just the preferred test) is the summer between jr and sr year. The kid is older and smarter, you know which test to prep for, and the kid has more time to prep over the summer. Take the first available test in late August/early September.
The senior fall semester is super busy with applications, essays, ECs and school. It really helps move the process along if you are done with the testing by then. And the schools on the app list can become much more focused if you have the max test score in hand.
If it’s a good opportunity, rare in your location, at a reasonable cost, I’d take advantage of it. It probably shouldn’t be the last prep for testing a year from now, but it can set some base principles, techniques, etc. in the brain to sink in and stew around for a while. Studying next year before the actual tests will be easier the second time around, with more retention as it’s not brand new.
IMO, that’s way too late to be taking an SAT/ACT for the first time. Fall of Junior year and then Spring, with Fall Senior year only as an emergency backup is my preferred plan (and many others, based on discussions here). That allows time to get results, see what needs to be worked on, focus on those topics, etc. Waiting until Sept. of Senior year only leaves time to get results and rush preparation for one more shot.
If the student is currently in Algebra 2, all the material will have been taught by then. Same with the grammar/reading topics on the tests.
I don’t think it is too early, but I would have him take both the ACT and SAT to see if he likes one better. My Ds had to take both PSAT and Plan ACT in fall of 10th. Over summer my D21 studied for the ACT, took it in September. She will have to take it again in February because our state requires it. Now she knows what she needs to work on before February.
I can’t imagine waiting until August/Sept. of Senior year. My D18 was done applying by August. Plus it is really hard to make a realistic school list without a test result. I’d rather spend that summer visiting realistic school choices and applying.
I’d say go for it! I would’ve loved to have prepped earlier/more than when I started for my first ACT sitting (fall of junior year).
Thanks for the input everyone. I highly doubt that he will be an ACT kid. He frequently needs extra time for tests in school. He ran out of time on the reading section on the PSAT. ? I’m just trying to determine if starting prep early will be a help or a hindrance. I appreciate everyone’s comments.
You need to talk to your GC about getting him extra time on these tests- now. Prep now will only help. The ACT will be allowing single test taking next fall. So after he took the entire test, he could just take the reading. It might be worth it to try.
Here’s the reality, those 3 hour tests (ACT/SAT) carry a lot of weight for most college admissions and can also help families to get significant merit so I would treat these exams like a high school AP/IB class and spend a significant amount of time planning for and taking these exams. With the college board next year allowing for students to take the ACT in 4 separate parts, at separate sittings you can pretty much expect that the average score in each section is going to rise significantly.
So the bottom line for me is get your kid used to studying for and taking these exams (even practice exams) early so he can “master” the format, content, and speed of the exam. D20 studied for the SAT with her math and english teachers and took the exam in 8th grade with several classmates to get some practice. I think these types of early preparation can help when taking these exams later in high school.
Some kids are naturally great on these tests, my D was not one of those students, she needed lots of practice and ACT tutor help but saw her scores gradually rise as she became better at taking the ACT and scoredin the 99th percentile by senior year.
Lastly, my son is in 8th grade currently and while a bright kid he has some ADHD/Executive Function issues (a pending 504) and we will be working with him a lot starting when he is a freshman next year to be able to confidently take these timed tests.