<p>My friend wants her son to take SAT as a sophmore because her husband did years ago and got into Stanford and she thinks it helps because she says the test is easier for sophmores...is that true? Or you don't have to do as well as seniors because you took it so early.</p>
<p>It sounds odd to me, but I am new to all this...so whats the scoop!</p>
<p>(When my daughter took it as a 7th grader for a scholarship, it was the same as the senior one, in the same room in fact.. that was a funny sight....)</p>
<p>Er, it would only be easier as a sophomore if you were more relaxed. Colleges don't care when you take it, and many people advance their english skills from sophomore to junior years. A 1500 junior year will be looked upon better than a 1400 sophomore year; not retaking it either suggests you are satisfied or lazy, so there is no advantage to not taking it junior/senior year. </p>
<p>Not to mention that Stanford, and any other elite college, is much harder to get in to now than it was years and years ago.</p>
<p>My thoughts as well, but I needed some confirmation....I tried explaining same, but was told I was mistaken, so I came to CC!! Regarding admission, that is so true, and the kids Dad needs a reality check</p>
<p>the test is exactly the same, and there is no special curve for Sophomores, unlike the PSAT which IS curved separately for Sophs. If your friend's child will complete Geom this year, then possibly prep with CB books, and take the new SAT next fall. Note, however, that the new SAT contains ~5 Alg II questions -- a kid can miss all 5 and still receive a good math score if they do extremely well on the other math probs. colleges really don't care when you take it, bcos thier vested interest is to maximize the stats of the matriculating class -- thus, they take the highest score regardless of test date or test year. Many private colleges will accept the highest single verbal and the highest single math score regardless of test date, but the UC's, for example, will only take the highest test scores from a single sitting.</p>
<p>if ur daughter can get around a 1500 as a sophomore, then she could probably get it over with. however, if there's still room for improvement, then its risky to have a low score on the score report when she could improve her skills over the next few years</p>
<p>Definitely don't take the Old SAT, if that's what you're thinking of. Since by the time the girl applies to college, the colleges will only take the new one. It doesn't hurt to take it now, but most colleges and the College Board suggest taking the SAT the second half of your junior year. I'd say it's better to take it when you're really ready than to rush it.</p>
<p>You definitely don't get any benefit from taking it earlier (as in, no special curve, colleges don't look on it differently) so sophomore might be a bit early. Fall of junior year is a good time because that's before you get really stressed (and there are more opportunities to retake).</p>
<p>Yeah, those were all my thoughts, I guess the parents thought it would be on a curve....that somehow colleges would be impressed if you did really well as a sophmore as opposed to the same score as a junior or senior....I guess if he got a 2400, but I doubt that.....</p>
<p>And the essay part will throw them for a loop! These parents do not have a clue as to what is ahead....</p>