<p>Neither of our Ds are/were good test-takers. PSAT scores didn’t come close to representing their academic achievement. This appeared to be from both inherent anxiety (especially in D1) and lack of practice, in part because we sent them to a (wonderful) no-testing progressive elementary school.</p>
<p>After low SAT scores for D1, we paid the money for a test-prep program, which she did diligently, and then proceeded to get the exact same lower scores. (ACT was a little better, but not much.) She would have gotten merit aid at the college she was in love with if her scores had been higher-- she had the grades and leadership for it, but test scores are typically the defining thing for merit aid.</p>
<p>So we didn’t think it was worth test-prep for current-senior D2, who got an identical PSAT as her sister. Instead, thanks to CC, she did the Xiggi method (search for it on this site and you’ll find it). She didn’t study at all, just did timed practice tests then reviewed them, and did some more. </p>
<p>She did so much better on her second ACT-- not CC fabulous (which means a 35-36), but enough for her to so far get into all of her schools, several with generous merit aid.</p>
<p>The Xiggi method seems to work great for kids who mostly have anxiety and timing issues.</p>