She's really not a DDD. What can she do to improve on a re-take?
2006-12-29 13:18:50 · 14 answers · asked by bob j 3 in Education & Reference ➔ Higher Education (University +)
Take advantage of any review materials available. Sample questions are available on http://www.collegeboard.com/. Also, you should buy the Kaplan SAT review book (available at any book store). The book has a multitude of sample questions, full sample tests, tips and common SAT words.
2006-12-29 13:22:43 · answer #1 · answered by Joy M 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Is this under the new standard or old standard? If it's for the old standard, that's a really good score.
Even if it's the new one, there should be her score report that should tell you how she scored in each area. The first time I took the SAT I became ill but decided not to cancel my score to see how I'd do. I took the results and made sure to focus on my weakest areas.
Did she use prep materials? Kaplan, Princeton Review and Barron's all have study materials. Kaplan and Princeton Review also offer SAT prep courses and usually have courses that work around a student's schedule.
With the math sections, I'm fairly sure that all you can do is practice. Get old tests, samples, tests from books and just work on the problems. Since you can write in the exam booklet she can learn how to work out math problems and draw all over the diagrams to get to the right answer.
With the verbal, flash cards are said to help people. I personally hate flash cards, but many people swear by them. She can also try reading more. If you buy the prep books, they will probably have a list of "recommended reading". Classics and popular books appear on it, so she doesn't have to worry about reading really dry or boring material.
If she takes French, Latin or Spanish, another helpful trick is to remember common word roots (ie. pro = for, good, positive; mal = bad, evil,etc. etc.)
That said, SATs are not the end all of college apps. There are grades, extracurriculars, awards, etc. Some people are just not good with standardized exams.
Good luck!
2006-12-29 21:34:41 · answer #2 · answered by Bookworm 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Prep courses will generally result in better test scores, but a good one will cost at least $250. The only reason you should consider it is if it will significantly impact the college choices that accept her. They don't make them samrter; they teach test-taking techniques.
And don't pay for just some general course. Identify where she needs to improve - was one score low relative to the others? Talk to a guidance counselor (for what little they often do) but make the decision on your own. Find out what the schools you are considering require.
A "great" result would be an improvement of 150 points - it's not going to make her Ivy material, but may give her more choices.
2006-12-29 21:29:45 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
A low SAT score isn't the end of the world. Encourage her to [continue to] do well in school and earn a high GPA. Most colleges look at a combination of 1: GPA 2: SAT scores & 3: admission essays
Try looking for SAT tutoring sessions. You can start by going to her school, someone there can probably recommend good programs.
If she's weak in math but good in English, see if the ACTs are available in your area.
2006-12-29 21:25:01 · answer #4 · answered by Pip 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
the SAT is no longer out of 1600, it's out of 2400 - it was 1600 when i was in school though, pffftt... i got a 1360 my first time, and a 1310 my second (with 1 wrong in math both times!)
generally, retakes yield similar if not slightly lower results, from people that i know, and first hand experience.
it's obvious that she is stressed out about this, and that will make it harder to concentrate and store information properly. she needs to lighten up, and that'll help her out
breaks between studying - it's easier to remember the first and last part of something you study, so why not make the in between stuff that is forgotten, less and far between? take more breaks and your mind has more firsts and lasts to remember!
eating properly also helps, believe it or not - like that one commercial where a kid is running through a tunnel or something, and he's chasing a man, and the man is running away and he says something like "geez kid! aren't you getting tired or anything?" and then the kid says "no! i had breakfast!" and pulls out a tray with a bowl of cereal, orange juice, toast, etc...
2006-12-29 21:29:00 · answer #5 · answered by Jim 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
You know even thought I am in middle school, and I am going to High School next, year, I would go to the library and check out a book tha tshows everything that you need to know to pass the sat's, or act tests.
2006-12-29 21:22:17 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
review courses really do help. Scores tend to go up the second time even without a review course, but they go up more with one.
2006-12-29 21:21:29 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
they have practice questions
she should review them
or take a SAT prep course
2006-12-29 21:27:20 · answer #8 · answered by rebekah 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I agree with the first guy. Isn't that like 99th percentile or something outrageous like that??
EDIT: Oh, I guess I'm showing my age!! When I was in high school, 1600 was the max.
2006-12-29 21:23:10 · answer #9 · answered by Becca 5 · 1⤊ 3⤋
She could apply to SAT-optional colleges...
2006-12-29 21:29:37 · answer #10 · answered by Alan S 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋