This is my course schedule from grade 9 to 13. I’m taking an extra year in highschool to volunteer, tutor, and catch up on social experiences that I’ve missed, partially because I’ve never been that good socially to begin with, and I’d really like to make friends in college! http://prntscr.com/84l2r8 Grade 13 courses aren’t officially chosen yet; they’re just placeholders right now for subjects that interest me. My math courses tend to meld into one another, too. Right now, I’m 70% done with pre-calculus, so it will be finished in grade 11, and one of my math providers says AP Calc AB and BC can be done in 1 year easily, and my science and math courses (except for AP Stats, darn FLVS really makes you take your time) tend to be finished within a few months. I usually review the math and science courses via SRS flashcards, so I finish things faster because I remember how to solve problems faster than by doing dozens of sample problems.
Anyway, I’m asking for advice because my legal guardian says I’m pushing myself too hard, I don’t think I am, and I’m worried about how colleges will view my transcript if I flunk the SAT, which I’ll probably have to take with a couple of anxiety meds! I get 9 - 12 hours of sleep every day, I still have time to work ~10 hours a week, and I get my schoolwork done on time. I’ve gotten all As so far, and I’ll get credit for most of the CL courses. The grades of my music theory courses refer to ABRSM music theory exam levels. I might actually get to take the exams in the UK because I’d have to go there to audition for different music schools anyway. In your experience as homeschoolers, if you, lets say, totally bombed the SAT or just got an average to low average score because you suffer from severe anxiety which tends to show up on high-stakes events, yet you received all these good grades and transferable credit from college-level courses, did colleges look down on this or give you a negative second look? I’ve always done pretty well in end-of-course-exams because they don’t give me anxiety, but just the name “SAT” freaks me out. There’s so many stories of good students just doing terribly and never getting into the colleges they want! ):
Looking for advice on: Am I taking on too much? Is getting really good course grades and AP/college-level credit useless in admissions if your SAT scores aren’t that good? Thanks (:
then take tons of practice SATs and desensitize yourself to them. Given you won’t have the grade comparisons (with others in your school) standardized tests take on more importance. Take as many objective tests as possible. Your AP or SAT2s will also be important. You need to have scores from objective sources-and test scores are the easiest way to do that.
I recently toured Lewis & Clark with my non homeschooled senior and while there I asked about my upcoming homeschooler. I have the same concerns as you with SATs. He has severe learning disabilities. L&C is test optional but I was concerned that a test optional school would require testing from a homeschooler. Apparently at this school it is not the case. Test optional means test optional. The adcom told me that they have other options including work samples that would give the admissions office an idea of work ability.
If this is the case with one school, it might help to look at some of the other test optional schools to see if they also are truly test optional for homeschoolers as well. Numerous schools are making SATs a choice and knowing that there are other options can help bring down your anxiety level when you take the SAT. It is easier to do something when you have other options in your back pocket.
I would also see about testing accommodations. You will have to provide documentation on your test anxiety and often it is difficult to get accommodation but it might be worth it. You can see about getting extra time or allowing testing in a location that is more comfortable for you. Do you have any kind of IEP or special education services through FLVS? If you do this could help.
Finally, @lostaccount is correct. Take tons of practice SATs to desensitize yourself. My older son was never a good test taker. All end of year tests came out much lower than they should have because he just tested poorly even through his ability was very very high. After his first PSAT he realized that his scores wouldn’t cut it for elite colleges so he started really studying for the tests. He kicked us out of the house and took a full practice test every weekend for weeks until he did well. With each practice session his confidence and scores went up. He finally nailed the test with a 2300. He just needed to calm down and get comfortable testing.
Good luck!
Try the ACT also. They’re very different tests and one may work much better than the other for you.