<p>For those of you with children who will be taking the redesigned PSAT/SAT next year (the first year it is out), how will your children prepare for this? Are there any books out yet? For my older DS, we just used the College Board Blue book, but I don't think the College Board has come out with any material yet. I assume they will sometime next year. Anyone have any good ideas of how to prepare?</p>
<p>No books out yet. As I understand it, prep materials for the new PSAT/SAT will become available at least online at teh college board website sometime this spring or summer; I would think books would come out this summer as well, but there won’t be a lot of “sample tests” to draw from since it is brand new. I have already told DD that I will expect her to work through the prep materials for the new SAT some this summer to get ready for the new PSAT that she’ll take “for real” in the fall (since the “practice” one she took this fall is the “old” format, whereas the one she’ll take next fall will be the new format). </p>
<p>DS (freshman this year) took the SAT once in the spring of his junior year, did well, and didn’t bother taking any other tests (besides AP), which was fine with me (my goal was to get through with giving the college board as little $ as possible). He prepped by just working through multiple practice tests in the month or two before the actual test (e.g., do a verbal section one night; do a math section the next; etc.). For DD, I think it will be wise for her to also take the ACT if only because it is not changing and admissions stats relative to ACT scores will still be applicable, whereas how admissions will change/shift with the change in the SAT is anybody’s guess.</p>
<p>The College Board will be releasing the official prep material in June 2015, you can pre-order the official book on Amazon, they have one with a DVD and one without.
<a href=“http://www.amazon.com/Official-Study-Guide-New-SAT/dp/1457304309/”>http://www.amazon.com/Official-Study-Guide-New-SAT/dp/1457304309/</a>
<a href=“http://www.amazon.com/Official-Study-Guide-New-SAT/dp/1457304325/”>http://www.amazon.com/Official-Study-Guide-New-SAT/dp/1457304325/</a></p>
<p>We will also use a local prep company that we have used in the past for my oldest child. S will take their August/September class and that should give the prep class enough time to adjust their materials to the new format and still give S time to prep before the OCT PSAT.</p>
<p>There is a book coming out in June. You can pre-purchase it from Amazon.</p>
<p>On another thread, one poster posted a link to the College Board book which it’s scheduled to be released end of June. </p>
<p><a href=“http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1457304325/st06202-20”>http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1457304325/st06202-20</a></p>
<p>DD17 will not be too excited to learn that she will have to study for PSAT/SAT this summer. </p>
<p>There are some books on the new test already out. Here’s an example: </p>
<p><a href=“http://www.amazon.com/Ivy-Globals-New-SAT-Guide/dp/0989651665/?gclid=CKu39pOE9sECFePtMgodCisAHQ”>http://www.amazon.com/Ivy-Globals-New-SAT-Guide/dp/0989651665/?gclid=CKu39pOE9sECFePtMgodCisAHQ</a></p>
<p>BUT, buyer beware! These books are based on a whole lot of conjecture with the only reference material a brief description of the new test with a few sample questions. Don’t waste your money! Wait for the official book in June which everyone has already mentioned. </p>
<p>Or, you can just avoid the SAT altogether and go ACT (which almost all of my students are doing now anyway). Good luck! </p>
<p>There are two types of preparation: general and specific. Overall, the preparation for the SAT (or ACT for that matter) is rather universal. In so many words, what one can do today will serve well tomorrow. In terms of specific formats changes, one will find more of an evolution than a revolution. There WILL be plenty of time to prepare with the officially released materials from TCB. </p>
<p>Accordingly, the best way to prepare in November 2014 remains the same. And it starts with following the recent administrations and practice in earnest with a view on a longer term progression. Festina Lente! </p>
<p>Please help me here….for the HS classes of 2016, will this have any bearing? My late bloomer S class of 2016 will likely be taking an SAT next Fall. Can someone explain the implications for next year seniors (if any) or direct me to a discussion I have missed. Thanks! </p>
<p>@nohelicopter – no bearing on class of 2016. Class of 2017 will be impacted, unless students decide to test early. New format will be administered March of 2016, so your son will be taking the current format when he sits for exam next fall.</p>
<p>And while this will be of no consequence to you, the PSAT administered next fall will be the new format but the SAT format will not change until the following March.</p>
<p>I have already requested the Global News’ one at my district library.</p>
<p>I truly think the best prep is just to read more. Reading fast will help you on all the sections.</p>
<p>^ If reading speed is a problem, then improves it. But I don’t think that would be the best prep for most people. Doing more practice and get familiar with the format are important after you’ve gained the knowledge to answer the questions.</p>
<p>Agree with @billscho above. While there are some students who may need to learn the material, and that will be a challenge, I think the most effective use of time is completing real practice exams and studying the incorrect responses or guesses.</p>