Problem to prep for both SAT and ACT?

Test Preparation
1

<p>Posting for my son, who is a junior this year. Great student, A average, great ECs etc, except he doesn't do well on standardized tests. He got a 148 on the PSAT at the beginning of 10th grade, which we attributed to a lack of preparation and experience (and no geometry class yet). He is scheduled to take the PSAT for real this year, and started prepping with Kaplan. He just took their pre-class diagnostic test, and while his CR and W scores came up, his math score was exactly the same - a 43!!</p>

<p>Interesting to note that he also took the PLAN last year, and while I can't remember what his score was (it wasn't that great either), the diagnostic summary said that based on his results, he could expect a 26-28 on the ACT. Much better. Surprising, due to his poor math skills and also the fact that his Bio and Chem classes were taught poorly, with NO LABS.</p>

<p>Since we have the unlimited test prep package, i thought he should just prep for both and take them, see where he does better. I thought it might be difficult to prep for both at roughly the same time (he needs to be prepping ALL YEAR for next spring's exams), since the test-taking strategies would be so different. I have been told by friends who are parents of high achieving students that you absolutely do not take both, you take a diagnostic test of each, see where you do better, and then choose and prep for one.</p>

<p>Anyone have any advice on that? He does plan to start prepping now and wouldn't take a test before March at the earliest to give himself enough time. But that doesn't give him the luxury of much time in between SAT and ACT, were he to take both. Thanks!</p>

<p>FYI he doesn't want to go to Harvard, but was hoping to have a shot at Oberlin or Oxy.</p>

2

<p>The act and sat do not care about bio or Chem whatsoever, so you really do not have to worry about cramming in science. While the ACT has a science section, it is mainly reading and sighting mathematical trends in data. Your sons math scores are a problem since most colleges weight the math and CR/Reading more than the other portions. Definitely take both the ACT and SAT, and shoot for a 30 or 2040, as they are oberlin’s average scores. Best of luck!</p>

3

<p>Thanks! Any advice on how to prepare for both at the same time, since they are so different? Should he just treat it the same as he would if he were studying for finals in different subjects? The problem is it’s not like studying for Spanish and Chemistry. They are so similar in a lot of ways, it may be hard to master both strategies if he is studying concurrently.</p>

4

<p>I found it much easier to focus on one of them, then move on if you get a bad score on that test. For your son, I recommend starting with ACT prep, and very intensive prep at that, to focus on his comparatively better ACT score. Dont get discouraged by early results either, with good prep and test taking strategies, you can see great score improvements! (I went from a 29 to a 33 using a local sat prep course,very intensive but clearly worth the time!)</p>