<p>I posted the testing board, but got almost no replies. The parents on this board seem very wise, and I wanted to get your advice on this.</p>
<p>For some reason, my younger sister does not do well on standardized tests. The PLAN predicted a 23-27 ACT and she was devastated, especially when the GC recommended kids with those kinds of scores look at state schools and some pretty non-selective private ones. This hit especially hard because we have been visitng some pretty selective schools lately (I'm a junior) and she really likes some of them. For example, she loved WASHU, but their ACT range is like 29-33. She is well aware that a 25 just won't make the cut. She is a sophomore and is incredibly hard working. She has a 4.0 in honors and AP classes (this is not a result of grade inflation). To make the situation even more complicated, I have a high GPA, but not a 4.0. I test very well, though (221 PSAT and 33 ACT with almost no prep.) I don't know how two 14-month-apart sisters can have such similar grades (hers are actually better) yet such different scores. Does anyone know I can encourage her or help her raise her score? Do you have any success stories of overcoming low PLAN and PSAT scores and getting high SATs and ACTs? She is really down on herself, and our differing test scores and grades have created tension between us in the past. Thanks in advance for any help!</p>
<p>What type of school would she like? A high GPA and lower scores is a better combination than the opposite. It does make it very important to carefully craft the application to present her strongest self - essays, recs. There are plenty of posters on parent forum with fabulous advice on those elements. Of course, she may get the scores up, but if not, the key thing is for her to start thinking what she wants in a school (not how "selective" it is, but what features,programs, atmosphere, location, culture.... matter to her). Then she should be able to find many, many that she will love. Keep asking how she can improve scores, as you are, but also start addressing these other topics and you will get great advice here.</p>
<p>She is lucky to have you as a sister, thinking of her needs, even as you are in the midst of your own college search.</p>
<p>There are some schools, like Bowdoin, which do not look at standardized test scores if the student does not want them to. She should focus in on those types of schools.</p>
<p>Also, just by getting older, she will test better. If possible, she should retake them during her junior year. </p>
<p>Would it be possible for her to take the SAT? If she tries a couple of practice tests and does well, that might be a better option for her. Just as some kids do better on the ACT, some might do better on the SAT.</p>
<p>I don't remember what I got on the PLAN test and I haven't taken the ACT. However, I did take the PSAT and I got a 56(or so) for comprehensive reading, a 65 for writing, and a 70 for math. Just note that this was without really any prep.</p>
<p>I really didn't pay much attention to what the test said my range on the SAT would be. I honestly didn't care to what the PSAT said. </p>
<p>Later, I took the last old SAT and did a whole lot of prep which basically consisted of taking a whole lot of practice tests. I ended up getting a 1530 (730V 800M). Well, that's all I've got, so good luck to your sister.</p>
<p>For what it's worth, my PSAT scores underpredicted my SAT scores (apparently I "grew" more intellectually in that one year than some other kids did), so the PLAN shouldn't be taken as an absolute prediction of ACT scores. </p>
<p>My usual advice for raising scores is always READ, READ, READ, and READ. For ACT prep, read about everything you find interesting, but especially read about science, since one whole section score on the ACT is basically about science reading skills. Practice math a lot (I like the online course ALEKS, which offers free trials online), and read a lot. That should help pull up the scores.</p>
<p>The best advice is to get involved in as many extracurriculars and get as many leadership opportunities as possible. I got into UCLA, UC Berkeley and USC because I had such great extracurriculars. My SAT score was low too...1270.</p>
<p>I'm also not good at taking standardized tests and I worked really hard to do better. It's just that some people are not good at those tests. Remember, colleges don't only look at tests.</p>
<p>If I had to pick between a 4.0 and lowish test scores or a 3.0 and 1500 SATs I'd go for the first pair in a minute.
And you can study for both the SATs and the ACT. . .many students improve their test scores from soph to junior, and junior to senior years.</p>
<p>As a previous poster indicates, there are many schools that do not require SAT tests. . .some will require SAT IIs though. Your sister should take a look at this list: <a href="http://www.fairtest.org/optinit.htm%5B/url%5D">http://www.fairtest.org/optinit.htm</a>
Some very strong and selective LACs on this list, like Bowdoin, Bates and Connecticut College.</p>
<p>She took the PSAT and got around a 180. She is very detail-oriented, and is interested in chemical engineering or optometry. Her low scores are especially hard on her because she is a perfectionist. She does ballet at a very high level and played piano and violin for 5 and 8 years. She definitely has great EC's and will get great teacher recs. She's a strong writer, and I think she'll write an amazing essay. It's just hard to have people comparing us. Others at the school know how I did on the PSAT, and they'll say things to her like "I bet you got an amazing score like your sister!" However, I'm afraid I look like a slacker with a 3.9 compared to her perfect record. I just don't want either of us to feel pressure to live up to what the other does.</p>
<p>Could her low scores/perfectionism be related?</p>
<p>Does she know how to take tests? Hit and move on. Hit and move on. Cross off obviously wrong answers, do your best between the ones which are left, give your best guess, and then move onto the next question. No regrets, no angst. A lot of perfectionist type people have trouble with that.</p>
<p>Furthermore, IMO, if she can't get that mentality down now, she should NOT go into engineering. The tests are designed, like the SAT, so that most people will not finish. It's a game of getting as much as possible down and not going nuts over small details. It's also the mental challenge of not letting the tests get to you.</p>
<p>Just a guess - but I've heard of people who just can't stop obsessing over the questions enough to take the test efficiently.</p>
<p>My D's PLAN scores were disappointing too (although a bright spot in the math)--only in the sense that I expected a higher score, so I kind of wonder, why the low English score. . . She is totally unphased by it all, however, thank goodness! The thing is, I know that she'll still have good college choices even with a 26 ACT or whatever (if she even takes the ACT). She is not IVY obsessed, so it will be okay. (Hah, I say that now. So calmly. We'll see what happens next year when the pressure's on!)</p>
<p>I bombed the plan test and later got a 29 on the real thing. Just try not to worry and prepare a little. Half of the game is familiarizing yourself with the test. The months before I took the ACT, my prep book was my bestfriend :)</p>
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<p>Her low scores are especially hard on her because she is a perfectionist. <<</p>
<p>Just a guess - but I've heard of people who just can't stop obsessing over the questions enough to take the test efficiently.<<</p>
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<p>I've read about this problem also. If this is your sister's problem, then working during the summer on test taking techniques could help her scores improve. You have to work accurately AND fast. She should practice with a timer.</p>
<p>If her problem is that she is a slow reader, then perhaps she can work on learning how to read faster.</p>