So Far Away

Test Preparation SAT Preparation
1

Hey, College Confidential.

I am a high school sophomore at a college preparatory school in New York. Before attending the school I currently do, I went to a school catering to teens with learning disabilities. I have ADD, which has really inhibited my learning over the years. Fortunately, it’s now considerably easier for me to deal with it.

While I now have a 94 average (4.0 GPA, 3.8 cumulative), which is significantly better than last year’s overall 81 (2.7 GPA), I still find myself behind in several subjects. In this thread, however, I will emphasize mathematics for their presence on the SAT exam.

About two weeks ago, I took the PSAT exam. Not only did I run out of time without completing even half of the exam, but I didn’t understand most of the material on the math sections.

I am in a vastly different position than most others. I was granted $40,000 of private tutoring by my state’s Department of Education, which can be used in preparation for the SAT. I am behind in many facets of mathematics. I didn’t learn algebra extensively last year, so I’m far behind in comparison to public school curriculum. Geometry is the very same. I am definitely behind. I would like to master both algebra and geometry, along with the other math components of the SAT, all without affecting my GPA or performance in school.

“All without affecting my GPA or performance in school.”

This is what concerns me. How will I be able to simultaneously perform well in school while studying for the SAT? My courses aren’t of great difficulty, and I am not enrolled in any AP courses. In fact, I know absolutely nothing about Advanced Placement. It may seem as if I’m ranting, and that’s because I am. I’m lost, and it all seems so daunting. Ultimately, my goal is to achieve a score of 1500 or above on the SAT. I want to attend a university of higher education. It would symbolize how far I have come. Right now, though, it all seems so far away.

Thank you for reading. I welcome any constructive responses.

-Chris

2

The first thing that comes to mind reading your post is that there are many very good SAT-optional small schools (typically liberal arts colleges) that might be a very good fit for you.

Before you get there, you of course can take advantage of math tutors. It seems to me that you might want to continue this through the summer both this coming summer and the following summer.

Of course you are still only a high school sophomore. As such you have quite a bit of time to sort this out.

3

Mastering the SAT may take a while since one must first have all the knowledge mastered along with strong test taking skills to do well on the test. I recommend you spend a little time every day on Khan Academy doing 1 passage or 1 set of math problems to develop the skills necessary to do well on the test.

4

Definitely Khan Academy. Remember, consistency is key. Khan Academy teaches a variety of different subjects with videos. Youtube can also help with your questions, but only use it if you have a “direction” or what you want from it. Khan Academy sort of provides a curriculum for you to learn the subjects