<p>My DS (sophomore) is preparing for SAT since summer. Started with two Erica Meltzer's books (Critical reader and grammar) , PWN the SAT: Math Guide and Direct Hits Volume 1 and 2. Completed all practice tests in BB (started with 2010 and scored 2350 in the last test). Currently practicing College Board online tests and scored average 2330-2360 in test 3, 4 and 5 with an essay between 8-10). </p>
<p>How accurate BB and online tests compared to actual test? Is my son ready to score 2300+ in October 11th test? please advise any last minute tips. </p>
<p>He sounds well prepared but is there some reason to rush this? A lot of kids do seem to do better as they get older so I don’t know why you would push this so early if there isn’t a reason for it. Is he graduating early from high school? The essay in particular seems a little low for a student like that and he would likely benefit from an extra year of essay writing practice in school. You may know they are changing the format of the SAT but that won’t be until the spring of his junior year, so he could still take it in May or June and then have plenty of time to take the same format again in the fall of junior year if the score isn’t satisfactory.</p>
<p>@mathyone - No, he is not graduating early. Currently he is taking Pre Cal and AP stat. Last year he scored 139 (three sections) in PSAT without any preparation and we were worried that he is not ready for PSAT/SAT test format. During summer we’ve moved to a new state and we couldn’t finalize his new school. He had time to practice for SAT. Looking at his practice test scores, I encouraged him to take Oct 11th SAT. BTW, yesterday he completed his last CB online test and scored 2380-2400 range score (essay 10) with no errors . However, I am not sure, if these practice tests are any indicators to actual SAT test? Currently he is focusing on essay examples. </p>
<p>I’m just wondering why you wouldn’t wait for his writing to improve, rather than pushing him into testing when his writing isn’t ready yet. He should be doing lots of exam-type short essays in school over the next 2 years, so what’s the rush? If you already expect he’s going to have to retake to improve the essay, why put a score on his record that you know isn’t going to be his best?</p>