My DS '20 got a disappointing result yesterday on his SAT. He scored 70 points lower than the PSAT that he took last year (-10 EBRW, -60 Math). Now he is afraid that he also “blew” the real PSAT for NMSF. He would have made it last year if that score counted. He took the Nov SAT because he was prepping for the PSAT and wanted to leverage that work. The original plan was to take the Nov SAT and then a Feb ACT. The Feb ACT is a mandatory school graduation requirement. After the ACT results we would evaluate the need to take additional tests and which one. However, now I am wondering if he should take the Dec SAT? We are a full pay family that will be merit hunting. I don’t want to become test obsessed. However, it seams like the SAT score is the one outside the normal result for standardized test throughout his career. Also, is there any strategy about what schools you send scores to as part of the registration? We had these scores sent to schools that are known to like to see demonstrated interest (CWRU, etc.). What do you do with any new scores? Just expand the list?
A few thoughts:
-One benefit to taking Dec SAT is that the material is fresher, some downsides are that immediately on the heels of that (maybe concurrent) is first semester finals, and then have to start preparing for Feb ACT
-Has he taken a full, practice ACT? If so, how does that score compare to his SAT score? Some kids definitely have a tendency to do better on one test rather than the other
-Did he take an SAT test prep class or have a tutor? If not, perhaps add that for Dec SAT and/or Feb ACT
-If merit hunt is priority, your S may have to take more tests than everyone would like
-Much will also depend on your S’s tolerance to continue to grind junior year—the demands are intense when one considers standardized testing (SAT/ACT/subject tests/AP tests), school work, ECs, many have junior research papers, etc.
-I would not send the free scores upon registration. So many schools added self-reporting of test scores as an option this year, and by next year’s cycle many more will probably allow it as well, meaning you might not have to pay to send many. While I believe schools when they say they will only consider the scores that put the app in the best light, why send low(er) ones? Unless it’s the few schools who want all test scores
“While I believe schools when they say they will only consider the scores that put the app in the best light, why send low(er) ones?”
Indeed, as one admissions rep said to us, “when we say put your best scores only, do that. While we do take the best into account, if you add in a poor score, we can’t un-see it”.
And +1 on seeing what the ACT score is like. It may be the one to focus on for some colleges.
In deciding if you want to take the December test, I’d also look at the actual available dates in the spring. We were actually pretty shocked on just how many conflicts we have in the spring. My daughter’s first available date for SAT subject tests is June - which is not ideal.
It should be fine to send any score (like any which are included in the test taking) to colleges which just plug the applicant’s best score or superscore into an admissions formula, rather than using holistic reading or subjective evaluation.
This all sounds stressful. Is he applying to any in-state publics?
Thank you all.
@Mwfan1921
Spacing all of his tests out (SAT, Finals, ACT, AP) is definitely something we have been considering. That is one of the reasons he took the Nov SAT. His 1st semester finals will be starting 17 days after the Dec SAT.
He didn’t take a prep class or have a tutor. He did take quite a few timed practice tests. He doesn’t have any time management issues. Normally his mistakes on the math sections is that he doesn’t answer the correct question. Not sure what happened this time. One of the problems with a limited feedback test.
I understand and hate the idea that chasing merit may require more testing.
@Darcy123
If my DS waited for the results of his ACT, the June SAT would also be the next available.
@compmom
Yes this is stressful. He is only an Junior so not applying anywhere yet. Our state flagship will be a safety for him. About half of his school gets accepted each year. He is well within the top 10% of his class.
The State Flagship plus being a full pay family makes the college list generation process more difficult. Our flagship is a top 20 public (top 50 national U). It would cost $25k/year. Anything above that will be at least $40k/year more before merit. To get merit at any of the more competitive schools will require top test scores as part of his application. If his goal was the flagship, he could stop testing now. He wants to try for more options.
He decided to take the Dec SAT.
Sample of two.
My kid one took his very first SAT in spring of his junior year. I think it was the June date. Thank then took the test again the first fall date offered. In between he took a prep course and his score improved by several hundred points (I’m not making that up).
Kid two did the same test schedule and the same prep course…her score didn’t improve one point…not one.
But neither took the SAT the first semester of 11th grade.
I guess I’m trying to understand why your kid did this?
You have gotten good comments here. I would like to add mine to the list. If he scored poorly on the Nov SAT he must do something other than take endless practice tests to improve his score. One of the things he can do that costs very little money is to analyze the questions he gets wrong and see if there is a pattern to them. Have him work to improve his performance on the types of questions he is getting wrong.
Since you say you are a full pay family I will also suggest a private SAT tutor. The reason so many people complain about kids who prep for standardized tests is that it works. You might not have enough time for it to make a difference in December but if he retakes in the spring or fall you should consider it.
I would also try the ACT. I have three kids and they all preferred it to the SAT. We are also full pay and our oldest got good merit based aid at CWRU but it did not bring the cost down to the same as our state flagship. He did graduate from CWRU and had a good experience there.
Good luck to your S, OP. It is stressful. Even a few hours with a tutor could help, there are valuable test taking strategies that do work (beyond knowing the content!).
Hoping for the best, but if SAT is still below where he wants it to be, consider trying ACT as you said he doesn’t have time management issues re: testing.
Thanks again everyone
He will be taking the ACT at the end of Feb. His whole school takes it to fulfill at State graduation requirement.
@thumper1 The reason he took the SAT fall of Junior year was that he was studying for the PSAT. The idea was that if he got above a 1500 he would be done. This looked reasonable based upon his Sophomore year PSAT and practice tests.
I think we will wait for additional test (SAT) prep until after the Feb ACT. I will look to see about professional test prep for the ACT if the December SAT doesn’t come back in the target range.
Or he can go to the state flagship, which sounds excellent. I hope he can enjoy his last two years of high school without undue stress. He could go to a public and then transfer, to save money, if that is possible.
@Eeyore123 my 10th grader took the NOV SAT too. The curve was brutal. D also took the May SAT. She missed 6 writing, 8 reading and 2 math 700/790 in May…Nov she missed 3 writing, 3 reading and 1 math 720/790.
Our strategy was this. daughter wasn’t happy with PSAT score (she made NM Commended). With a full schedule of APs and music taking up time and energy we decided to skip any additional testing Junior year outside of SAT subject tests which she took in June after AP tests. Summer prior to Senior year she studied for August SAT. She committed an hour a day (sometimes less) to drilling on math with Khan academy. She bought the book of 14 practice SAT tests and would take one a week. By August she was close to a perfect score. She took the test and was extremely happy with results. We thought instead of getting a full time summer job…the test prep would pay off in merit aid. It did. We did not see the point in trying to study during the school year which was incredibly busy.
Update: My DS got his PSAT/NMSQT and Dec SAT results back. He is a likely NMSF as long as the state cutoff doesn’t move by 2 points. He increase his SAT score by 110 points from the November test. He crossed the threshold of me saying no more SATs. Of course you can never satisfy a 16 year old. The curve was brutal. -30 points for 1 wrong on the EBWR sections. Told him if he wants to try for a better standardized test score, he can study for the ACT. He has to take it for a graduation requirement at the end of February. Also told him I am OK with him just walking in cold to the test and using the SAT score for college.