SAT fallout

Parents Forum
1

<p>Upon seeing her SAT scores, my daughter’s mood plummeted to something just short of despair. I don’t think they’re awful, but since they’re under 2000, she is quite unhappy, particularly since they don’t come close to the range she needs for some of her reach schools. The fact that she’s in the score range for automatic scholarships at two of the schools on her list didn’t impress her in the least, since they are her match/safety schools.</p>

<p>On the looonnggg drive to school (nothing like a depressed teen to add miles to the drive!), we [mostly me] talked about what her next step should be. I gave her several options to consider:</p>

<li><p>Since she’s taking the ACTs in June, prep like crazy before finals and wait to see that score.</p></li>
<li><p>Do some prep for the ACTs but mostly focus on finals and plan on retaking either the SAT or the ACT in the fall.</p></li>
<li><p>Rethink her list of schools, keeping the reaches but finding several more match schools.</p></li>
</ol>

<p>I thought I was presenting very realistic approaches (a combination of which is probably necessary anyway), but my daughter needs more time to shake herself out of her funk. In some ways, I think this characterizes the differences in our approach to, well, everything. As someone who never met a standardized test she didn’t like, I’m a very linear, problem–>solution kind of thinker. My daughter is more of a feel the problem, write some angsty poetry or compose a sad song, decide life is worth living problem-solver (I exaggerate, but I hope you get the picture.) She’s consistently described by her teachers as a creative thinker, but she’s also fairly driven to excel. </p>

<p>I also told her that I really don’t want this process to become about the score game, because I think she has a great deal to offer IF a school is looking at the whole person. But, she also needed to be aware that at some of the schools, the scores are going to be enough of a red flag that the rest of her application would need to be extremely well done…and that ultimately, it’s her choice as to how score-focused she wants to be. Didn’t win any popularity points with those observations, but I tend to tell it like I see it.</p>

<p>Other than giving her some time and space to work through her feelings, is there anything I can/should be doing? In the meantime, fairtest.org here I come…</p>

2

<p>
[quote]
Other than giving her some time and space to work through her feelings, is there anything I can/should be doing?

[/quote]
</p>

<p>Probably not, if she's anything at all like my S, and like I suspect most of us are like. She's very disappointed, and it's probably too early to focus on the "what next" discussion. Let her wallow for awhile. Chocolate's always good. She certainly sounds like a bright kid, and eventually she'll be more receptive to your problem-solving skills. At that point, in addition to the good suggestions that you've already floated, you should remind her that schools look at the BEST score, not EVERY score. Not only that, many schools combine the best SAT sub-scores (which could brighten her day if one of the three scores is already in her target range). Sounds like she'll be fine after some introspection.</p>

3

<p>How'd she do on her CR, M? Since the writing part of the exam is so new, from what i have read, most colleges that require the new SAT will be looking more closely at CR, M than at the W part of the exam.</p>

<p>Also, now that she's familiar with the format of the new SAT, she may do much better on a retake. From what I have read, the length of the exam was hard for some students to adjust to. There also was lots of fear about the essay that may have paralyzed some students.</p>

4

<p>Don't take this new SAT system too seriously yet. It's the guinea pig year for it, and none of the colleges are sure whether or not it's a good system yet. They'll cut some extra slack for students this year.</p>

5

<p>mezzomom - my son got the same exact score as your daughter. He told me his score as he was running out to school this morning so of course we haven't had a chance to talk. He actually had thought he had done pretty well after the test. Hmm. He is registered to take 2 SAT II's in June but I think I might suggest to him to retake the SAT I in June. Instead of starting to study for the SAT II's maybe it would be better for him, since SAT studying is so fresh and recent to practice to retake the SAT I, continue on the roll. Just not sure if that is the best thing, to take them back to back months. I suggested he take the ACT in June like your daughter is doing but he said he would rather retake the SAT than study and practice a completely different test.</p>

<p>I have to watch myself from being more dissapointed than he is. He went into taking the SAT for the 1st time thinking of it as a baseline and see where he really needs to concentrate his studying. He certainly found out he needs to practice math! </p>

<p>I can't think of anything else you could be doing for her. Sounds like you have thought it through very well and the options you presented all make perfect sense.</p>

6

<p>Count us in the "dealing with fall out" group. D has always been a "math" person, scored 630. Don't know what happened. PSATs were 75 math.
Her other scores were OK- 750CR and 720W. She'll re-take in October but I guess we'll have to re-think our summer visit list and get some more matches in there. BIG SAD SIGH She was so sure that she only missed 2 math problems.</p>

7

<p>1ofeach--maybe your D mis-bubbled. The test is longer than in the past and any slight loss of focus could bring trouble.</p>

8

<p>1ofeach- My D (who is an average math student) also thought she had done well on the math section ---score came in 660. I really wonder if it is worth trying again???</p>

9

<p>Yes, could be. It's a long one! Too bad she couldn't take just the math in October. Wouldn't that be terrific.</p>

10

<p>yep---790W and 730R were fine with us--but the 660 paled in comparison. Just not a math head.</p>

11

<p>Momnipotent- nice scores! If math is not really your daughter's thing, I'd let it rest. CR and W are terrific. Those scores are good for everywhere.</p>

12

<p>"1ofeach- My D (who is an average math student) also thought she had done well on the math section ---score came in 660. I really wonder if it is worth trying again???"</p>

<p>Could be -- particularly if she plans to study more for the test and also will take a math course next fall.</p>

<p>I do think, however, that a 660 is a fine math score, particularly for an "average" math student!</p>

13

<p>momnipotent, those are pretty good scores!!! 2180 is no slouch, and that's equivalent to a 1390 old way with a 790 writing SAT II . I think it will be interesting to see what the schools will be saying about the writing-which all y'alls kids beat up pretty badly, and how they'll credit or weight it. D , of course, hopes they write the writing score in invisible ink.</p>

14

<p>thanks NSM- would you mind checking out my other thread- "please eval stats" from a bit ago?</p>

15

<p>Please do not rush for a retake in June. You have to give yourself -or your children- a real chance to improve. In order to increase the scores, you need to correctly ascertain what went "relatively" wrong. Despite the changes, the test is still eminently predictable, and the luck factor plays only a small role. If you reserved a seat for the SAT Subject Tests, by all mean do NOT switch. Taking those tests in June is a ... smart move. </p>

<p>Let the SAT material sink in during the summer. Wait for the official results and buy the extra services. Also, wait for the "experts" to start publishing their various analyses. Planning a series of targeted practices during the summer -none more than 30 minutes a day- should do miracles for a great score in October.</p>

16

<p>Lderochi: Love the chocolate idea...oh, did you mean for my daughter? ;)</p>

<p>Northstarmom: My daughter specifically asked that I not post her scores on CC; she said she would be "mortified, even if anonymously so". But what I do feel free to say is that her math score dropped from her PSAT score, even though she felt the math section wasn't excruciatingly painful. She's not a math kid at all (works her backside off to stay in the B/B- range in pre-calc), but I do think she can raise that score if she decides to take the SAT again. Her CR score is what has me puzzled. She's an avid reader (and reads stuff with more guts than fluff), so I'm not sure where the weakness is. I told her I'd take a close look at her report when it comes in, so we can devise a strategy. Her essay score was higher than I expected but she missed quite a few of the accompanying questions; another area that's going to need to be analyzed. </p>

<p>Boxcar: I know what you mean about hiding disappointment. I wasn't disappointed IN her but FOR her, but given her own level of disappointment, I think she would have been hard-pressed to distinguish between the two if I shown any emotion...instead I went into analytical mode which was safer!</p>

<p>1ofeach and Momnipotent: Sorry to hear about your kids' disappointments. It really is tough for them and tough for parents because there is little we can "do"...no more counting on butterfly kisses to make everything alright.</p>

17

<p>When S took the SAT in Jan., his math score dropped about 60 points from his Dec. SAT and from his PSAT. He was surprised about this until he saw the score sheet and realized he made some "careless" errors.</p>

<p>Anyway, just let your D know that the scores can come up again -- particularly if she and you follow the plan you outlined above. Best of luck!</p>

<p>Did she take a snack to the testing site? With such a long testing, many students need a snack in order to keep their energy and focus.</p>

18

<p>Xiggi, I just saw your post. What "extra services" do you recommend?</p>

19

<p>FWIW, being "good" at Math does not always equate to a great SAT score. You need to become good at SAT Math, which tends to be quite different. The good news is that it is much easier for a student to reach his or her TRUE potential in Math than in English. This true potential is not an 800 for everyone, but a bit of effort and dedicated practices go a long way to improve.</p>

20

<p>Xiggi-
Thanks for the encouragement/info. momnipotent</p>