<p>Playing around on CC and came across this thread.</p>
<p>Sounds like something we need to start doing.</p>
<p>PD: obviously, you are a very devoted and caring parent. But, our children have only just been accepted into their schools for next year. Many of them are still in 8th grade....finishing projects, planning summer activities, being excited about going off to boarding school. Isn't it just a wee bit early to think about SAT prep?;)</p>
<p>By coincidence, I'm working on a summer vocabulary plan for my rising Seventh Grader this morning. While I won't be needing Xiggi's prep advice for some time, I do believe there are some new folks here looking ahead for the 2009 -2010 school year. So, per usual, YMMV! (I'm also looking for a new car, so mileage is also on the brain this A.M.)</p>
<p>Brooklyn
I have one daughter who is freshman, one starting BS next year and one in
7th grade.
I think the "SAT" prep should be started for the 9th and 10th grader - at least vocab and reading. I think the "ziggi" method will also work on the SSAT for the 7th grader.
To be honest, I did not think of it until I started reading the other thread. But now?
From what I understand, the SATs are not as important as they used to be, yet a good number still helps.
I also understand that APs may not be as important as the International Baccalariate Degree (which apparently many of the BS are leaning to).</p>
<p>Bottom line: It never stops.</p>
<p>ps
Ziggi's advice is nothing new. I have my residents do the same when they are studying for their national boards. We used to go through old tests in college and go through the questions to make sure we understood what the teacher thought was important and to make sure we understood how to answer his/her questions.</p>
<p>So, I would think that at BS, dorms have "old american history" exams for people to look at, etc.</p>
<p>And for those aspiring to apply for 11th grade next year, taking the SAT in 10th grade (after following the xiggi plan) wouldn't be a bad thing.</p>
<p>Good link to post PD.</p>
<p>For those with younger kids (6th -- 9th grade), the absolute best preparation for the SAT verbal is to read, read, read. Read a variety of books, non-fiction and fiction, read books that are a challenge and books that are easy. Students who consistently read more than what is assigned in class and list reading as an activity they enjoy and regularly pursue score much higher on the SAT than those that don't. </p>
<p>To increase the potential for high scores on the math section, for these same younger students, they need to concentrate on the math they are taught in school (and/or supplement if it is lacking). Good, solid foundations in Algebra and Basic Math are absolutely critical for high SAT scores. Make sure they truly understand what they are doing. Computation skills (yes, good old multiplication tables) are also important, since needing to use a calculator for simple arithmetic and multiplication slows the student down.</p>
<p>for the younger groups of students, the best test prep is lots of reading and working hard in math class.</p>
<p>OK - some of you will say this is too young but...
I have the Yahoo education word of the day on my Google homepage. Every morning I read it to my Kindergardener and 4th grader. Then we use it a few times on the way to school, talk about the etymology, wide varieties of usages etc. But all in a fun way, honestly. The kids like that the words are so "big." Kind of like Supercalifragilistic ... </p>
<p>The payoff comes when Dad comes home and they can stump him with their brainy word. They love it.</p>
<p>We do this for fun, not for long term SAT prep, but it probably won't hurt.</p>