Does Test Prep Work? A week ago I happened to be interviewed by Chapel Hill school that is high counselor, Kristen Hiemstra.

You can listen to the interview that is full pressing here.
We covered a complete lot of topics everything from why I believe they ought to leave the vocabulary on the SAT as is, to whether I think that test prep works. Among the many topics we talked about were:
- Different types of test prep, which work and exactly why
- Commercial test prep
- Signs of good vs test prep that is bad
- How exactly to inspire an adolescent
- Exactly What the school Board is testing
- The time that is best to tour colleges
- Lessons I discovered the SAT
- Lessons we learned as a mother
We also talked about my book that is upcoming Ideal Score Project: Uncovering the Secrets of the SAT and what it’s all about.
How Much Does the SAT Count in the Admissions Decision?
So how much does the SAT Count in the Admissions choice?
SAT counts to get more than colleges will admit to much less than students think.
The Academic Index the AI Calculator should shed light on ‘how much’ the SAT counts. Although AI was created for athletes, they calculate it for all pupils.
Don’t miss these Kitchen Table Math commentary, which add more insight, including one commenter who found a (somewhat old) College Board report that provides all kinds of details on the decision techniques utilized by many colleges.
[snip]
The first part is based on your SAT scores, the next component is predicated on your SAT II scores, additionally the third part is founded on your GPA. The link above talks about a GPA table supplied to the eight universities, but it generally does not explain the way the GPA is determined. It generally seems to use a scale that is weighted the most notable score is 4.3. I have not found out how this number is calculated. The spreadsheet then proceeds to choose the higher rating associated with each of the two GPA numbers. It’s constantly struck me that the SAT scores make up two-thirds with this index. Universities might include a fudge factor if they know one thing in regards to a senior school, but no option for that shows up into the example spreadsheet.
Quadruplets’ Mom Requirements SAT Advice
Dear Ms. Stier:
I recently found your site and it is loved by me! Thanks for carrying it out.
I could actually use some advise on the best way to approach test that is SAT for my quadruplets. [me: OMG]
I’ve 3 girls and 1 child. They took the PSAT in sophomore and they will take the PSAT again this October year.
One of the drawbacks of having all my children the same age is that any mistakes I make affects all four. None of them benefit from me learning from my errors so i really hope to obtain this as right as I can.
Do you would imagine I should have them study as a small group together under my guidance (from experience it really is like attempting to herd cats); get a tutor for the four of those in a small group; have someone tutor them independently; or deliver them to a SAT test prep center? Or even a mix of all of these? I have to view my costs too.
Just how do I find a tutor that is good? What is the test prep company that is best?
If these are concerns I can be helped by you with i might appreciate it. If it’s not at all something that it is possible to assist me then that is okay and I also appreciate you taking your time to read my email.
Thanks again for the web site info
Sincerely,
Multiple Mom
Dear Multiple Mom,
My gut says to do some come together with all four (e.g. lots of vocab, full training tests, and they can explain answers to one another because that’s a great way to learn), and do some preparation separately. If you can find an affordable tutor(s), that’s the best means.
Listed here are a couple of questions to ask a potential tutor (or test prep company):
1) Do you personalize your approach and, if so, just how?
2) exactly What’s your average score gain per student? Numerous tutors won’t answer this concern because there are so variables that are many it’s almost maybe not fair to ask. Having said that, an excessive ‘average score gain’ should be described as a flag. e.g., 200 points in a month.
3) the length of time do you advise students to prepare for the SAT and how much will it cost? The answer that is right be specific and will depend on where the pupil begins and shmoop term paper writing service what the target is.
4) What test prep materials would you use? ( If it’s not official university Board material, be wary.)
5) how homework that is much there be between sessions? (a tutor that is great have students do as much act as possible off the clock, such as vocab and practice tests.)
The first step is to own all four kids take the official university Board practice SAT. You should use one through the College Board’s Blue Book, or a practice is had by the College Board test on its website.
You’ll want to determine what they have to work on and if they need foundational work or more test prep polish that is traditional. My guess is which they need foundational work, as most kids do (and as I did!). Be sure you select a test or tutor prep business who is able to assess that well!
Regarding test prep companies, I’d avoid anyone who does not primarily utilize university Board material (that would include most/if not all large, brand-name test prep companies).