<p>Hello fellow CCers! I am currently in eighth grade and was wondering if I should begin studying for the SATS now. My weakness academically is in standardized testing. I have top grades in my school, but when it comes to systematized exams, I cannot seem to attain the scores I want. I thought I should start studying now because I had just applied to one of the top high schools in the nation, and am waiting for my results. I want to make my SAT scores high so I could stand out compared to my schoolmates. So, any thoughts?</p>
<p>And also, could someone give me some information about the SATS and the ACT? Should I take both? What's the difference between them? </p>
<ol>
<li><p>Should you study for the SAT now?
To be brutally honest I wouldn’t start now. You probably won’t take the SAT until the 10th or 11th grade and studying now probably won’t help you much. I guess if you’re taking classes you might get better results, but self-studying now won’t help you much. </p></li>
<li><p>Having a high SAT will make you “stand out” among your peers
Not necessarily true especially if you’re planning on going to one of the top high schools in the nations. Lots of kids there would have 2000+ scores; you may even get some classmates with 2400s. You’re extracurriculars and essays are what will make you stand out, not your standardized test scores. </p></li>
<li><p>Difference between the SAT and ACT
According to the ACT website
“The ACT is an achievement test, measuring what a student has learned in school. The SAT is more of an aptitude test, testing reasoning and verbal abilities.
The ACT has up to 5 components: English, Mathematics, Reading, Science, and an optional Writing Test. The SAT has only 3 components: Critical Reasoning, Mathematics, and a required Writing Test.
The College Board introduced a new version of the SAT in 2005, with a mandatory writing test. ACT continues to offer its well-established test, plus an optional writing test. You take the ACT Writing Test only if required by the college(s) you’re applying to.
The SAT has a correction for guessing. That is, they take off for wrong answers. The ACT is scored based on the number of correct answers with no penalty for guessing.”</p></li>
</ol>
<p>Honestly, you’d get more bang for the buck reading more complex literature and nonfiction than you would studying random lists of vocabulary words–people learn vocabulary better when they read it in context, anyway. And you may not have enough math yet to get an idea of how you’d score on the SAT. Wait until you’re done with geometry, if you’re taking it next year.</p>
<p>You should start with identifying where your weakness is by doing some practice tests from the blue book under timed conditions. You need to study your Middle school math well to get a good score in SAT math. Use the Direct Hits Core and Toughest Vocabulary books to help improve you Reading and Writing score.</p>
<p>My brother is in 8th Grade and he just took the ACT. He wants to go to the Duke TIP Program. He got a 29! If you are a good reader like her is, I think you would do well. His math was not good, but he did not study. </p>
<p>Are you applying to gifted summer programs?</p>
<p>I have friends that started studying for the SAT’s in middle school, so it’s not that uncommon if you start now. Basically the main difference between SAT and ACT is this: SAT is out of 2400, has three sections (reading/writing/math) while ACT is out of 36 and has a science section. The questions and test styles are pretty different so I would try both and see which one suits you better.</p>
<p>Do whatever test is more popular in your area (but do not prepare too much for it). I say this purely for bragging rights. I took the ACT in eight grade (31), and I realized that everyone will ask me what my ACT score is (Midwest!). Plus it may help with getting into certain programs, both local and national.</p>
<p>I have some more questions though: Where would I take the ACT/SAT? Would it be online or something? </p>
<p>And are there any advantages to taking these standardized tests now as opposed to in high school? I don’t really know much about gifted programs-I’m in program offered at my school but I don’t think that counts for much.</p>
<p>Don’t take it in HS because then your scores will be saved and will count. As for testing centers, when you sign up it’ll tell you where you’ll go. It’ll probably be your local HS.</p>
<p>Don’t bother studying now. Spend your time:</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Reading. Read, read, read. Students who are avid readers do the best on the CR section. There is no real shortcut, but you have 2 years until you take the PSAT and 3 years to the SAT. So get started now. It does NOT have to be complex and great literature. Just read a LOT.</p></li>
<li><p>Work really hard in your math classes. Algebra, geometry, and trig are key. Make sure you really know and understand the topics in those classes.</p></li>
<li><p>When you get to summer before you take the PSAT for the first time (could be 10th or 11th grade, depending on your school), get the “blue book” sold by CollegeBoard to study for that SAT. Prep for your PSAT with that over the summer (and keep reading!). That PSAT score will help you know where you stand and whether you should take a prep class or something.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>The only reason people take the tests earlier is really to get into some high powered summer programs that require them. There is no other reason to do so. Just read and work extra hard in your math classes.</p>
<p>Op,
If you are over 13 years old and are still in 8th grade, then you can take the SAT by signing up through the College Board and pay the fee and get your score. All tests taken before 9th grade are erased so that your 8th grade score will not be seen by the colleges, which is a good thing. (I’m not positive about the rules for ACT, thought). If you are under 13 years old, then you won’t be able to take a practice SAT or ACT unless you have certain qualifying standardized test scores as required by Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth or by the Duke TIP program. So if you are under 13 years old, then google JHUCTY or Duke TIP to see if you would qualify to take a practice SAT or ACT under their programs. The SAT and ACT are taken at a nearby High school. There are separate rooms for the 7th and 8th graders.</p>
<p>Another option is to buy a SAT book (the “blue book” on college board website or on amazon) and take a full length SAT under actual test conditions. You can also do this with the ACT (the “real ACT book” which is red in color). You then can self grade it and see where you are. You can’t fully grade the writing part, because you won’t be able to self grade that part, though. </p>
<p>It’s good to know where you stand without studying. However, I would not recommend “studying” for the SAT or ACT until you are older. It would be more important for you to read a lot and many different types of material. Because when it becomes time to actually study for the SAT or ACT, it’s pretty easy to quickly brush up on math or grammar or whatnot, but reading comprehension is very difficult to “cram” and “brush up on” so best to be working on reading comprehension now by reading a lot.</p>
<p>She can take the SAT or ACT regardless of age. She doesn’t have to be 13. She doesn’t need JHU CTY or Duke TIP. They just charge a fee and have awards ceremonies and programs to offer. She can sign up online if she is 13. Under 12, she will need a paper application. It should be available at her local high school guidance office. No, I would not have her do significant prep work for an 8th grade ACT or SAT. Just learn the format and take it. If her score is high enough that she wants to preserve the SAT score, she can mail a letter asking them to save the score. The letter has to be sent by June. Don’t do this unless you really want that score kept for some reason (will it allow you to take local college classes or negotiate for an AP class?)</p>
<p>My kids were 9 and 10 when they first took the SAT. We preserved the scores and they used them to take early college classes at our flagship state university starting at the age of 10. This is not the typical path.</p>
<p>I took the SAT in seventh grade for CTY, and got a 2095 on it. If you are interested in going to these programs, like TIP, then you should take it. Even if you don’t, it would probably benefit you to look it over, memorize some vocab, but don’t flat out study for it.</p>
<p>Like others said, you want to read A LOT, to improve the skills.</p>
<p>I think middle school is way to early to be taking the SAT/ACT. In the eighth grade, I didn’t know a good majority of what I know now in subjects such as math, English, etc. Give your brain more time to grow and develop, as well as soak in more information. Even if you take the test the second semester of your 11th year, you still have plenty of time to send in your results.</p>
<p>I think you can begin to indirectly study for the test. What I mean is dedicating more time to things such as reading books and spending extra time on your homework. The reason I say this is because while you do want to make the right decisions for those that may impact your future, you also don’t want to rush into adulthood. Far too often people begin obsessed and paranoid about achieving a perfect score once they begin researching colleges, studying for the SAT, etc. As a 13 year old, is that really how you want to spend your four years in high school?
However, indirectly studying by the ways I mentioned before can help you raise your standardized test score without over stressing you. Because I read quite frequently, I have a more eclectic vocabulary range in comparison to the rest of my peers. My understanding of the English language and grammar is sharper, too.</p>
<p>Also, some basic information about the test:
The SAT/ACT is not online; you go to a determined site to take the test in a testing room with dozens of other students (a high school, etc.). The SAT has three parts (+ an optional essay) and is graded out of 2400. The ACT has four parts ( + an optional essay) and is graded out of 36. The SAT has a penalty for marking the wrong answer (-1/4 of a point), while the ACT does not.
Also, know that having a high score on either of these tests does 1.) not always make you stand out amongst your peers, and 2.) not grant you automatic admission to the university of your choice. At top schools, having a 2200+ on the SAT is not only common, it is the norm. Having high scores only puts you on the same level as the general applicant pool. What really makes you stand out are your passions, hobbies, essays, etc. Rather than begin studying for the SAT/ACT now, use your time to develop these talents.
Best of luck to you!</p>
<p>Like wcao9311 said, you cannot score a 2095, because that’s an impossible score to get. But people can score very well in 7th and 8th grade depending on how talented they are.</p>