<p>My S is a rising sophomore and we've missed the deadlines for most of this summer's academic programs/camps etc. Should he just concentrate on SAT/ACT prep this summer? Is it too early? Would he learn it and then "lose" it by the time he has to take the SAT for college admissions? Any insight would be appreciated. Thanks.</p>
<p>You might consider focusing on PSAT prep. That way he’ll have an advantage for this more imminent exam, and many of the skills do carry over to the SAT.</p>
<p>There is really no need to startPSAT/SAT prep so early. Next summer (before junior year) is an ideal time to begin the prep. There MUST be something better, more fun, more interesting and more enriching to do this summer. Consider an on-line course – they tend to have flexible schedules.</p>
<p>Mal - Are PSAT and SAT prep different?</p>
<p>pckeller - Are you thinking academic online courses? Given through colleges?</p>
<p>Thanks.</p>
<p>I agree that the summer before junior year is the ideal time for starting to prep. If he’s planning on shooting for National Merit recognition, the junior year PSAT is the one that counts. I strongly encourage all my students to prep over the summer for the October SAT administration and the PSAT. It’s a lot of testing in a short time frame, but it’s a really efficient use of time. The only major content difference between the PSAT and SAT is that the PSAT has no essay. The PSAT is also shorter, but other than the essay, the types of questions are exactly the same as those on the SAT.</p>
<p>In terms of looking ahead to testing, the best thing he can be doing now is a lot of reading, and maybe getting started on vocabulary prep. There are some specific reading strategies I suggest for students of his age, so feel free to PM me if you want some ideas.</p>
<p>I also like the suggestion doing something more fun/interesting with his time this summer. The more intense things are on the horizon, so let him enjoy his summers now :)</p>
<p>“pckeller - Are you thinking academic online courses? Given through colleges?”</p>
<p>Not necessarily…there are also online programs like those offered by CTY (though CTY seems pricey – and I guess it IS college-affiliated). Really, I think at this point summer should be a little more free-spirited and less academic. What about some volunteer work, ideally related to something he may be interested in? I’m just saying that SAT prep can come later (and even then, should not be whole summer’s activity).</p>
<p>I second the notion of volunteer work. Depending on your son’s interests, see if any hospital/non-profit organization/other accepts volunteers over the summer.</p>
<p>Good advice. I just finished reading “What High Schools Don’t Tell You” by Wissner-Gross and I’m a little freaked out right now.</p>
<p>^That book is a formula for panic 
Didn’t read it until 11th grade, too late for me. My summers are basically ruined but I managed to pull a duke TIP and a local internship. I did hospital summer volunteering thing, and it was worth it to see what it was like in the hospital and such.</p>
<p>Actually, I think it might be a good idea for your son to slay the dragon of the SAT once and for all if he’s up to the challenge. I’m a sophomore myself right now. I studied for the SAT over the SAT quite intensively and took it twice (October December sophomore year) and ended with a 2360. Many of the college programs actually are only for rising juniors. If you take care of the SAT now before your junior year, it’ll take a lot of pressure off and allows you to focus on more important things like EC and those programs while you’re a junior. However, only do this if he can reach his SAT goal as a sophomore. No point studying and having to retake.</p>
<p>Cheerio - don’t know if he could get that kind of score - 2360!! Wow. You have a good point though. It seems the summer after freshman year is kind of the dead zone. Most college programs are for rising juniors or seniors.</p>
<p>It really doesn’t make much sense to jam the SAT into your junior year when it’s already such a busy time. Especially since the SAT is all self study and that what you learn between sophomore and junior year probably won’t help very much. Just go for whatever score your son is looking for :)</p>