<p>Background: This is basically the make it or break it test. Her previous scores were NOT on par with ther GPA, etc. So, she did a PR test prep course and scores went up dramatically. This is the first test since prepping. Three of the schools she picks wll offer scholarship if her scores match their requirements (she has already met their GPA).</p>
<p>Dilema: I tend to be too probing about "all this college stuff". She gets in shut-down mode and I know she will say" I'm tired and don't want to talk about it." I still need to set up college visits at 2 of the schools. Scores come out on the 29th, EA due on Nov. 1. </p>
<p>Question: In your experience, if you child indicates how the did on the test (like it was easy, it was fine, not so good, etc), is their opinion failry accurate?</p>
<p>I have been waiting for today to get this behind us. I am surprising her with Rice Crispy treats (her favorite) because she really has worked hard. Silly, I know!</p>
<p>“Question: In your experience, if you child indicates how the did on the test (like it was easy, it was fine, not so good, etc), is their opinion failry accurate?”</p>
<p>It was accurate with my kids, but wasn’t accurate when I took them myself.</p>
<p>I agree with others; Step back from your D. Let her tell you what she wants to. Don’t add to her stress by badgering her. She’ll find out the scores soon enough. Then help her apply to colleges --including safety schools – where she’ll be happy, fulfilled and that you can afford. “Can afford” is very important. Make sure that she knows now your financial parameters.</p>
<p>Reward her with rice crispy treats and let her talk – IF SHE WANTS TO. The reward is nice because it’s a reward based on her taking the test, not how she did on the test. I always did something like that for my kids.</p>
<p>Whatever she gets on the SAT, there are colleges – good ones – who’ll be happy to accept her. Realize that the U.S. is blessed with many wonderful colleges, and students don’t have to go to a place like an Ivy to be successful in life or to get a good job/career/grad school entrance after college.</p>
<p>We’re hoping the prep class “took” at our house, too.</p>
<p>Current plan is that I will pick D up at the new chinese takeout place across the street from the high school and drive her to an afternoon filled with music lessons and rehearsals. Then she needs to come home and tackle a stack of makeup work left over from a week of missed classes due to the flu. And start on this week’s homework. And maybe write a couple of college essays. And clean the upstairs because her sister’s coming home from college for fall break and won’t be able to get into the room in its current state. Oh, and practice for several hours because she’s recording an audition CD for conservatories this week.</p>
<p>No wonder she’s stressed out.</p>
<p>I guess I should just shut up and make some chocolate chip cookies.</p>
<p>ny mom, relax and take a deep breath. This test is not the be all and end all. There are still two more opportunities to take it for the regular decisions.</p>
<p>What did your D tell you right after taking her first SAT? Was what she told you reflective of the her actual scores? What I’m trying to say is that you may already know how to guage better than whatever people here can tell you. </p>
<p>Kids are really different when it comes to telling others of how they did on tests. Some are conservative while others are enthusiastic and optimistic. Hard to say. My S is the former type, and I form my own assessment accordingly.</p>
<p>I know you’re on pins and needles. So am I. But, I agree with the others: proceed with the apps and let the score be what the score is. Rice Krispy treats sound like just what the doctor ordered.</p>
<p>My Son is taking the SAT right now, too. Then he leaves for a XC meet at 12:30. He runs at 5:20. This is going to be a day from hel* for him and it will take all my willpower to let him be. SAT-wise he’s currently on the bubble for 3 of his favorite schools. Nobody has said aloud how important today’s scores are, but I think we all feel it. It’s nervewracking, but out of our hands. We need to have faith in our kids. :)</p>
<p>My younger son came home from his first AP test saying he got a 1 or a 2 and he got a 5. He came home from the Math 2 subject test saying he’d bombed it, and indeed had a much lower score (by 100 points) than the other two. They really have very little idea unless they’ve actually skipped a lot of problems because they couldn’t do them. So I agree with the others, give her a nice lunch, let her talk if and when she’s ready. Apply to the EA schools anyway. If she bombs the test, and she wants to give it one more try she doesn’t have to apply EA (which doesn’t usually give as much of a boost as ED anyway.)</p>
<p>For the type of kid who won’t be able to answer all the questions either due to time contraints or ability, it’s a little easier to assess how well she did. If she finishes all the questions today whereas last time she left 5 question unanswered in each section, well that’s an easier assessment.</p>
<p>For the higher end kid, I think it’s tougher. D thought she did very well and did. Son thought he did only OK the first time but did pretty well. Then he thought he did even better the second time around and actually did much worse. So student assessments when they’re on the upper end might be a bit more unreliable.</p>
<p>cross-posted with mathmom. I agree with her.</p>
<p>Interesting question is if her score is not enough to get scholarship, can she take it again in December for the purpose of improving her scholarship after EA acceptance?</p>
<p>nymom, i never got very much info after a test, just it was fine, or meh, or whatever. i actually got more info on how kids felt the test was by going over to the act/sat section here on cc LOL. that also let me ask a specific question…ie if someone said the math section seemed easier, i then was able to say…hmm posters seem to think the math was easier this time or science seemed harder, what did you think?.</p>
<p>I think that checking the pronouns you use will be instructive. You talk about getting this behind “us” and say " I "need to set up… I know it helped me to use the right pronouns, in writing and in my head, to make sure I always knew whose application process it was.</p>
<p>Pressure to do well w/grades, rank or SAT’s to get merit aid can be very destructive. This is not saying that you are doing anything wrong. The schools set up a difficult situation with these awards, period. A peer in my daughter’s class asked if she would be willing to do a little less well so that he could get a scholarship based on class rank!</p>
<p>My feeling is that if a school requires a certain level of score as a cutoff for admission or for aid, and my kid doesn’t make that, then that is just good information that that is not the right school for my child.</p>
<p>Many schools just award scholarships based on financial need. This takes the pressure off the kids. And these days, there are many schools that do not require SAT’s at all. </p>
<p>It sounds like your daughter will do well, but putting a lot of emphasis on these tests is very stressful. Around our house, we combat that by talking about how flawed the tests really are, how they measure test-taking, how kids from certain backgrounds have an advantage, and generally talking them down. Paradoxically, this makes them relax and do better!</p>
<p>I think you can send updated scores after you submit an EA application. Is the EA deadline also the deadline for scholarships? Can she attend without the scholarship?</p>
<p>Make sure your daughter has some affordable choices on her list not predicated on achieving some test score, make sure she has choices/true matches that are not contingent on future unknown test scores, and then get out of the way and let her go. She will be fine. Just to add some perspective from a second time around family: My senior just got his first acceptance into a safety school. He told my husband who lowered his newspaper slightly and said “Great job, when are you leaving?”</p>
<p>S left about 30 minutes ago to take SATs for the first time (he’s a junior and we’re on the west coast). He just called to tell us he forgot his wallet with ID. #$@*! He had everything laid out last night – ticket, extra batteries for his calculator, snack, etc… and he forgets his wallet! Thank goodness the test center is only 10 minute drive away! I wasn’t nervous for him but now I am!</p>
<p>That’s funny. Last night was the first time that I did not have to tell my S to gather all the stuffs to get ready for the next morning SAT. He sharpened all the pencils, got the calculator, eraser, entry ticket, and wallet together on the kitchen table ready before I got home, very impressive. Extra battery? Although I did not give him extra, the thought has crossed my mind.</p>