<p>S2 has decided to concentrate on the ACT, and is interested in finding a helpful review course. I know there is a specific thread on CC for tests, but was wondering if there were any that you parents might recommend. S1 did not take the ACT, so it's new to us. There is a program called Test Takers (?) that someone recently recommended, but I think it's just for the SAT.
Thanks</p>
<p>peterson's has one on line but I don't have experience w/ ther ACT prep. My D used their SAT prep and raised her score by 160 points. Had she spent more time on prep I imagine she cold have brought it up even more.</p>
<p>The big Red Book is a perfectly good tool as well if he is willing to use it on his own.</p>
<p>Red Book? Will look into it.
S1 would set aside time each night for SAT review, sit down and slog through it. S2 is a decent student, but not as self-disciplined. The structure and exposure to the material would be a big help for him. Hadn't considered online programs. Good thought, and probably more reasonable price-wise. Would just have to make sure the work is actually being done...</p>
<p>Just monitor the results of the practice tests. Son had such a great 10th grade PSAT that I thought that with a little help, he would be NMF material. We sent him to an expensive prep course. I was concerned about the results of the practice tests but they said not to worry. What they did was totally screw him up in verbal and helped him in math, so that his 11th grade score was almost identical to his 10th grade score, just reversing the numbers. The December SAT scores confirmed this.</p>
<p>He retook the SAT in March. I told him to keep going to Math, and to forget everything they taught him in verbal. His math score jumped 70 pts and his verbal jumped 50.</p>
<p>Long story, but if the first practice test shows that your daughter doesn't need help in a particular area, have her not do the "review" course in that area.</p>
<p>He didn't fare well at all on the 10th grade PSAT, and his GC has recommended the ACT instead. I think your advice re: the different sections would still apply, though, and taking a practice test or two might give him a feel for the exam, even if it is early in the year.</p>
<p>I don't recommend review courses. I recommend saving your money for fun means of self-study. Here's my FAQ on standardized test preparation: </p>
<p>READ, READ </p>
<p>To learn how to score well on a standardized test reading section, the number one piece of advice is READ, READ, READ, and READ. Read about what you like to know more about. Read things that are fun for you. Find books and magazines about interesting topics and read them. Turn off the TV and read. Put away the video game controller and read. Read hard things, and read easy things. Read a lot. </p>
<p>For years, I wondered why it came so readily to mind to write "READ, READ, READ" in all capital letters like that when I give advice on this subject, as I have frequent occasion to do. Recently, I reread the section "Suggestions for Study" in the front matter of John DeFrancis's book Beginning Chinese Reader, Part I, which I first used to learn Chinese back in 1975. In that section of that book, I found this passage, "Fluency in reading can only be achieved by extensive practice on all the interrelated aspects of the reading process. To accomplish this we must READ, READ, READ" (capitalization as in original). </p>
<p>That's the main issue for the ACT. My son, who has retired from taking that test, calls it the "American Reading Test." Anyone comfortable with reading can dominate that test, especially on the notorious science section, where all the right answers to all the questions appear right on the page to be read by test-takers who can read. </p>
<p>Good luck. Here is a link to the Red Book: </p>
<p>You may be able to find the Red Book in a public library in your town.</p>
<p>Uh oh...
Three of our four are voracious readers-- even the 10 year old. Guess which one is not?</p>
<p>I don't know why, but he just never caught the bug. I get the feeling that reading is a real chore for him, and scan the posts here on CC whenever people post titles their kids have liked. The last time I think he actually enjoyed reading anything was several years ago (The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe).
That said, he obviously reads for school, and is an editor on the paper.</p>
<p>The good news, also is that he found a brand NEW copy of the above ACT guide at the local rummage sale, along with a whole box of review materials. Now to get him to actually USE it...</p>
<p>There are some books out there that have SAT/ACT vocab words in them (I think put out by sparknotes?). Easy-read novels w/topics kids would enjoy. My son read a few, quickly. A less painful way of studying vocab.</p>
<p>^^^^I just found my son's copy of "Rock the SAT" where vocab words are in catchy songs on a cd. It comes with book of definitions, too, but the context of the songs really help.We tried at least 3 study guides, the Kaplan course, and a private tutor. Kaplan course was the biggest waste of time. They refunded our money, but only after we showed them how S had done all their homework and didn't improve. The Real ACT (red book?) seemed to help with the English section.</p>
<p>D did just used the books and dedication, ended up NMF and 99+% in SAT and in her first choice. Advantage is you can manage your time better if you do your own learning.</p>
<p>The real ACT Review or the Red Book. I bought three ACT books for DD to study. She found errors in two of them but not in the RED book or the Real ACT review book.</p>
<p>Thanks, all - am checking back here every day and forwarding info to S2. We are also going to look into some online courses over the weekend.</p>
<p>Check out Study</a> Works SAT prep classes This course really helped my daughter. The classes were small. eight students I believe, and divided by ability. They also offer private lessons if needed.</p>
<p>They also offer ACT classes.</p>
<p>Any book at bookstore will be just fine. D. never took ACT prep class. She said that SAT prep class was total waste of time and money. She practiced with the book for about a week before her ACT test. Her score was higher than cooresponding SAT score. She practiced only math and looked thru other sections to get familiar with format. The truth is English sections is very easy and Reading just reflects your natural speed which is impossible to improve, science section is another reading section where you do not have to be very fast (do not need to know much about science). Focusing on one area with the greatest potential for improvement really worked for my D. She did not get the highest score but 33 was enough for her goal.</p>
<p>S1 also said the same about SAT review -- he had a couple books and did best on his own. Did not take the ACT, though. MiamiDAP that's an amazing score. Although I've heard that many students seem to do better on the ACT, I've ALSO heard that it's very difficult to get scores in that highest range.</p>
<p>I think it's worth it for any kid to just give the ACT a try. Son prepped for a very long time (at home, w/books) for the SAT & got a 2110 (lower than expected, esp since he did almost that well in 8th grade!). Then he took the ACT (just skimmed the red book a little) & got a 34. He doesn't really like science (any more) and hadn't taken a since course in a year or two but still got a 36 there. It's definitely do-able and worth a few hours of time. If it doesn't work out, you just don't send the scores. No downside.</p>
<p>Plus, he's applying to tons of schools & is sending just the ACT score. All schools have accepted this. </p>
<p>Something we looked into but didn't do---find a one-on-one tutor on Craigs List. Many are teachers & seem reputable. I'd meet in a public place. One guy I talked to was a Cornell grad & HS val. One-on-one is better than a group class, I believe.</p>
<p>lspf72, thanks. Truth is that if D could read faster, ..... her reading score was terrible and pulled overall down, but we knew about it before she took ACT. I would advise to take ACT, might be pleasantly surprised.</p>
<p>
[quote]
He doesn't really like science (any more) and hadn't taken a since course in a year or two but still got a 36 there.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Jolynne, that's because ACT Science is really Science Reading. Everything you need to answer the question is given to the student. IMO, it is the biggest tip you can give a student about the test.</p>
<p>Wow, Jolynne, another one. I would love it if S2 could go at his own pace with this. From these posts am starting to think self-study perhaps IS more of a possibility than it is with the SAT. An online course might be enough of an added boost if necessary. Taking the test once early-ish in the year would probably be in order to get a feel for it.</p>
<p>He was completely knocked for a loop with some of his scores at the end of last year, and is anxious to focus on something to help get past it.</p>
<p>I also think back on the hours and hours S1 spent holed up junior year preparing for the SAT. He did well, but hated every minute of it. He did not take the ACT route, but I think it's definitely the way to go for S2. The spring of 11th grade is just too much -- SATI, SAT2s, multiple APs, Regents, PLUS final exams and term papers... It's a lot to handle, especially when you toss in a sport and an EC or two (boy, did I have it easy back in the late 70's).</p>
<p>In fact, our public HS has done almost a complete turnaround in the past two years re: SAT and ACT. A few years ago you could have counted on one hand the number of students taking the ACT. If what curmudgeon says is true, I think there might be more promise with the ACT.</p>
<p>Yes, the ACT science section is really science reading. </p>
<p>My son said he did not read the passage first, just read the questions and then went back and looked for the answer in the passage. He got a 36 for his science score. Now he was very familiar with science terms from his science classes, so I am sure that helped too. But I think since there is a time crunch to get it all done, it helped not to read the passage first.</p>