<p>I don’t think mechanical pencils are allowed on the tests. ACT ticket states #2 pencils.</p>
<p>The high school coach. Normal school rule is a player cannot start the next game if they miss practice. This coach holds a grudge more than 1 game and is all the harder (verbally) on the player. Not my vote for coach of the year. </p>
<p>Wish me luck. Plan is to lay out all the important dates (PSAT, scheduled college visits, exams, state tournaments, tryouts, etc) and get DS to commit to ACT/SAT test dates this weekend. I want to get him registered SOON as things really get busy for me at the office the 2nd half of the school year. Thus far he is unwilling to commit. </p>
<p>My D13 got 193 on PSAT (with a little prep - a few sessions with a tutor), 2020 on the SAT taken the following March and got a 31 and 32 on the ACT which she took Feb of junior year and Sep of Senior year. She did not do any outside prep for the ACT - but went through a practice book on her own. She focused on Science for the 2nd test and improved 3 or 4 points in that section, her two verbals scores also went up slightly (they were already high as I recall) to either 34 and 35 and 35 and 36 but her math dropped to a 26 so she didn’t improve the composite that much. My D says now that if she had prepared more she would have done much better but it just wasn’t a priority for her at the time (and I’m not sure it would have made that much difference in the outcome anyway).</p>
<p>I’m still trying to figure out an efficient way to remember and reply to what everyone is saying/asking without cluttering the board with too many posts! If anyone has tips, I’d appreciate it. I just yesterday realized there was a section of notifications and messages.</p>
<p>@3scoutsmom, it sounds like that parking pass was well worth the money! 30-45 min to get out of the parking lot…yikes!</p>
<p>@drmom123, my D13 was heavily involved in theater in high school (one of those kids that always had a show going), but is not a theater major. She did find opportunities to do theater at her large university, though she chose to be involved in tech rather than onstage. There seemed to be a number of non-majors onstage though. It probably depends on where you go, and is a question worth asking if that is an important consideration. D16 is quite musical (plays two instruments), and I always check to see if the college offers any scholarships for participation (as she does not plan to be a music major.)</p>
<p>@dentmom4 and anyone else taking the ACT today, best wishes! We have thought about the ACT and I guess we will see how these initial PSAT/SAT test scores go. As far as limiting the number who take the test, that is definitely the case here in the various schools. Usually there are enough spots for juniors, but you really have to jump on it if you want to test as a freshman/sophomore. </p>
<p>@asleepatthewheel , I hope your college tour is enjoyable. It seems like you are an old pro at this point! Oddly enough, my college tour experience is limited, even with one who has gone through the process. Because of our location, my older daughter did her tours after acceptance, and only to what she thought would be her top choices. I went on one of those, and her dad did one. She went alone to one spot. Two of the colleges offered money for flights, $600 or so, which was helpful, but doesn’t completely cover costs, of course. So wish driving was a more realistic option! </p>
<p>@momofzag , since getting your message, D16 and I have discussed the Disney on Ice thing. Who knows, maybe she will audition and see how it goes! She’s never really been a “show skater”, more of a jock (and really more of a hard worker than natural athlete), but you never know how these things could turn out. Maybe she could be a piece of skating cutlery or something, lol </p>
<p>Okay, posting this and moving to the next page</p>
<p>@seal16, number 2 pencils</p>
<p>Hi there! I can’t remember if I have already introduced myself. I have a son '16 plus a son '15 and now a niece living with us of high school class '17. So yes, three in a row, yikes!</p>
<p>Son '16 took PSAT at PLAN (pre ACT) last year and he did better on the PLAN (99 th percentile) that PSAT (95th) but maybe those differences could be attributed to off days? He is a very logical, concrete thinker and was basically unschooled up until high school (homeschooled with interest based learning). I was surprised since people do say the act is more based on school content. I think the science section can trip up a lot of test takers but for son that section was the easiest. He did poorest on the PSAT cr section but did well in the plan equivalent. He is not sure he even wants to take the PSAT agsin his junior year. I think he has a good chance at Natl Merit and he did some prep this summer which I thought went well. I think he just doesn’t want more and more testing piled up. </p>
<p>Son '15 took sat last year and just took act today do we will soon see if there is much of a difference for him. He said the act essay was much easier to write about compared to the sat one.</p>
<p>Hey, to change the subject a bit… Do any of your schools do the silver cord program? It is a program to encourage volunteering. Each school makes up its own rules about the number of hours and agencies required, though several schools do offer something. The students that do the volunteering and meet their schools requirements get a silver cord to wear at graduation.</p>
<p>My S’s school is just introducing it this year. My D’s school had it already when she started there in 2008. D earned the award and was able to wear the cord. I think it is a great program and I am just wondering how wide spread it is.</p>
<p>@bajamm: sounds like a great program! Never heard of it though. How might one get it int0rduced into the school?</p>
<p>We have a program like that though not sure what color the cord is. The volunteer hours are very specific and can not be double counted or benefit a club you belong too. So if you are a Boy Scout you can not count hours that you are using toward an Eagle project or that benefits the Boy Scouts in any way. You also can count the same hours toward any other club’s volunteer hour requirements. Our school requires 80 unique hours but I told my kids they need to 100+ because that’s what our home zoned school requires - yes I am that mom ;-)</p>
<p>@drmom123 I have never been on a committee introducing it in a school. It has come through the guidance office at both of my kids schools. </p>
<p>I don’t think there is a formal website or program, each school sets its own rules. It appears that the typical standards are 40-50 volunteer hours per school year (though I have seen some require 400 over four years and it doesn’t matter how many in one year). Most schools break it down because they want to encourage consistency. Also, most schools require volunteering with more than one organization. My d’s school required 40 hours a year and at least 3 different organizations per year. My son’s school is requiring 40 hours a year with at least 2 organizations before graduation (so he could do 2 hours once with one organization and all of the rest of the hours with one other organization.)</p>
<p>None of the schools I have read about allow volunteering before the 1st day of high school to count. My d’s school allowed summertime hours to count for either the year before OR the year after. S’s school requires all hours for that school year be done by May 31. Any summer hours go on the next year. Senior hours have to be done by May 1, in time to verify times worked and order the cords, etc, before graduation and awards ceremonies.</p>
<p>I think it is a great way for students to impact their community and to have an earned reason to go to the awards ceremony.</p>
<p>We have an ACT date! I did not even have to give the whole speech! It is SO about timing with this kid. He is very decisive once he decides something must be done, he just does not get to that point quite as early as I do. :-SS I hope I get more patient and he gets more proactive as we near 5/1/14 or I may need some serious stress management tactics. I see some extra trips to the gym in my future!!!</p>
<p>Not to add to your stress, but if your son’s test date is 5/1/14 he’s already missed it!!</p>
<p>This is a hard year, how does a kid prepare for the ACT, the SAT, SAT 2’s, AP tests and still take the toughest course load possible while maintaining great grades? </p>
<p>@Mysonsdad – you forgot to mention extra-curriculars (don’t forget to exhibit leadership), community service, and maintaining relationships w a couple of teachers who’ll be willing to write LOR’s.
Honestly, the whole thing is truly nuts. </p>
<p>@AsleepAtTheWheel And do not forget a part time job.</p>
<p>I agree with this being a crazy year. It’s the AP tests that really worry me. I just found out that they way they do the Physics class at our school D will need to take two different Physics AP exams so that means a total of 6 AP exams this May. Time management is crucial this year! The amount of homework is staggering.</p>
<p>@3scoutsmom is this for a Physics C? My D is taking AP Physics C mechanics this semester. I still have to figure out what material they will cover second semester and if she needs to take both APs Physics in May.</p>
<p>No, evidently the College Board changed the Physics B testing and split it into two tests and is now Physics 1 and Physics 2 <a href=“Course & Exam Pages – AP Central | College Board”>About AP – AP Central | College Board;
<p>Physics C has been two tests for a long time Mechanics(usually first semester)
<a href=“AP Physics C: Mechanics Exam – AP Central | College Board”>Supporting Students from Day One to Exam Day – AP Central | College Board;
<p>and Electricity and Magnetism (usually second semester)
<a href=“AP Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism – AP Students”>Get the Most Out of AP – AP Students | College Board;
<p>We have this to look forward to next year!</p>
<p>@AsleepAtTheWheel LOL! I meant 5/1/16. Poor touch screen management on my part. Let’s hope my DS pays more attention to detail on the ACT! </p>