<p>classof2015 - thanks for the confirmation. The ACT states that for extended time it is suppose to be just the way your son described it. So if a student is quicker with Math than say Science the extra time can be used there!! </p>
<p>eyemamom - yes SAT works differently - it is suppose to be per section</p>
<p>I think I will send in a copy of the instructions for ACT extended time when my son takes the ACT. This way if there is any issue, he can show the proctor. I don’t know how many times he will be willing to take the test so will try to get it right the first time in June.</p>
<p>Good Morning! Trying a new test prep strategy today for DS2. He did very well on March SAT Math but mediocre on SAT Math II in January. I signed him up for a 3 hour online prep for MATH II through Kaplan. He is doing it right now. He is not motivated to do self study in addition to his homework and EC’s, but will participate in structured study. So we will hopefully see a higher score on May SAT Math II. I want to be done with planning for these tests!</p>
<p>fogfog - No, the opposite. The ACT is one block of time. When you finish a section you can have a break and then start the next section. Breaks are included in the total amount of allotted time. </p>
<p>I believe the SAT allots 1.5 extended time per section. Also, did you make sure to apply for accommodations for the ACT bc it is not automatic even if your k2 had it for the SAT.</p>
<p>Minny - I hear you. My daughter did 26 hrs with princeton review! She was so happy last week after that last class. Yes, the motivated self studier can do it on their own, she is not one of them. Though at first she hated it, she soon realized it actually helped. </p>
<p>After we see her scores we’ll decide how to proceed - no more retakes, retake june and/or september and whether we should pay for a few more sessions where she does practice tests and they review the answers together. </p>
<p>Just think - next year this time we’ll be done and know where they’re going and planning on the dorm shopping!</p>
<p>Yes K2 applied to ACT for accomodations…already had them for SAT. Also has it for school.</p>
<p>Thanks for the heads up re ACT so that we can let K2 know that self monitoring of time per section/etc will be something to handle by K2 not proctor.</p>
<p>DD 14 survived the ACTs on Saturday. Not sure how she did vs the SATs as she had no time to prep. Some parts she liked better and some not so well as she didn’t finish them. But I guess we’ll just see and evaluate once the scores come out. She got news after the test that a friend taking it at another school was kicked out because his insulin pump beeped! That really seems wrong!</p>
<p>Now we’re off on our college tour! Walked around Yale yesterday as we knew we wouldn’t be there in time for the tour. DD really liked it but it won’t even be a reach unless her test scores go up significantly! And she knows that. Today is Fairfield and her first interview. Tomorrow we see Marist. Then Wednesday we see Mt. Holyoke again for their info session and an interview. We toured it last summer and she really liked it - much to her surprise! We’ll see if she still feels that way and if there’s a possibility of merit aid there to make it financially possible. Then it’s a tour and info session at Smith to compare. Lot’s of schools in a short time but hopefully it won’t be too bad! And at least the weather is supposed to be pretty nice.</p>
<p>eyemamom: Why wait until next year to start shopping? To help defer some costs, have relatives offer gift cards now for birthdays or holidays so that purchases can be made if you see something on sale and you have room to store it. My son has his sets of sheets. Did not plan on this either, but two nephews decided to commute to the local community college. So they did not receive the sheets as part of their HS graduation present. He’s also purchased a couple of sport jackets, because he figures he’ll have a couple of formal-like events to attend. But, he likes to pack relatively light. He figures two suitcases and a laptop will hold him most of the school year.</p>
<p>Just catching up after a blecky weekend (yup, that’s a word and we all know when we feel that way). I did send up good vibes early Saturday morning remembering ‘our’ kids that were taking the ACT. I hope everyone meets/exceeds their goals and is pleased when scores are released.</p>
<p>Thanks novamom for the heads up on the AP scores being online this year. S3 is good about his usernames/passwords on his collegeboard account as well as his student ID. I’ll make sure he has his AP number with him in case he is instructed to record that somewhere. I’m sure it’s on his test results from last May. S2 had an issue with two sets of AP records being created due to collegeboard adding an additional letter on the end of our name one year…a common mistake but not one S2 would make. We got the scores but had to spend some time merging them and correcting the error on his name. My concern was that his college would kick them back with the name not matching up.</p>
<p>Regarding shopping early, I don’t disagree with momreads. She’s a veteran at this also and always has great advise to share. The idea of gift cards to defray later costs is excellent. The only thing I would caution would be to buy from places that are generous with returns much later (Bed, Bath & Beyond is very good with the receipt), and limit to specific things. Bedding can be tricky with girls as they may want to coordinate with a roommate. Most, but not all, beds are going to be twin XL, so you want to keep receipts. For my son we did get pillows, mattress pad, bedbug mattress cover (I know, yuck but necessary IMHO), and sheets when we found good sales. Also things like surge protectors with longer cords for dorms that were build prior to the age of electronic mania (many schools don’t allow extension cords). We just started a pile in the library. Each school will have their own list of items not allowed and they are different. Even at the same school depending on the dorm assigned you may need certain things or not. We really didn’t start doing the bulk of shopping until he was assigned to a specific dorm. We also stayed away from a lot of new clothes and saved that for fall break/Thanksgiving. They change a lot (at least mine did) that first year. The coat they may pick out late winter of Sr year may not be what they want come late fall of their freshman year in college. You may spend a little more on some things missing out on a clearance, but you know your student will wear what you get them. They tend to move on from brands/styles they liked in high school. For guys a sport jacket such as momreads is an excellent idea. S2 has a Navy Blazer and a suit. He’s worn both a lot between interviews, greek events, receptions, etc. If your student is interested in engineering I would also wait on a computer. Many schools will put out required specs around May. We found the computers offered at the bookstore to be competitively priced and liked having service and a loaner on site. Obviously it’s a personal decision, but what is an excellent Black Friday deal may or may not fit the requirements of their chosen school come May. I’ve never seen computer requirements outside engineering, however they may exist for architecture.</p>
<p>My DD is planning to major in Engineering. She has already taken Math 2, Physics and Chemistry subjects tests. But, her college advisor suggested that she take a subject SAT in US History to show breadth in different areas - according to him highly selective colleges look for this well rounded score than just math & science.</p>
<p>Is this true? I checked the FAQ’s of highly selective schools and only Harvard seems to suggest this. </p>
<p>Anyone know if subject tests in different areas is expected/recommended from colleges?</p>
<p>OK - I have to vent a little! S2 is so stubborn and self righteous! I brought up taking a SAT prep course this summer and he was going down the path of “I don’t like that I idea of trying to improve your test taking vs gaining true knowledge!” I said just remember that you are the one who wants a better score and that everyone else in our area is certainly doing formal test prep. In addition, you are not going to have a chance to improve your score 100+ without some formal training. I wanted to scream!</p>
<p>Cal1983: is he opposed to even self study? I ask because familiarity with the test does help a lot and he could simply take a number of practice tests under timed conditions to prep. </p>
<p>We too live in an area where test prep classes are the norm. But I am a cheapskate and refuse to pay those fees! I signed my DS up for the $70 online college board course and bought the blue book and left him to study on his own. Has taken the test twice and raised his score by 110 points the second time. Not an astounding increase but we’ll worth the $90 bucks I spent. </p>
<p>Cal1983
While mine isn’t giving the same argument–we aren’t “prepping”
and
YES I want to scream because GPA, scores etc matter and
YES one day K2might be sorry to not have taken my advice…</p>
<p>Will you pour me a glass, too? S2 is still “thinking” about getting a tutor for the June ACT! I say, “Don’t think too long. Only 7 weeks to go!!” It’s his choice though…either he wants to prep (tutor, self-study, or with me) for the test or he doesn’t, but I’m not going to shell out the $$, if he’s not going to put in a true effort!</p>
lets share a glass :)</p>