Strategies for Prepping Your Child for the SAT or ACT: A Comprehensive Guide

Strategies for Prepping Your Child for the SAT or ACT: A Comprehensive Guide

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Parents often wonder what's the best way to prep for the SAT (Scholastic Assessment Test) or ACT (American College Testing). It may feel overwhelming to prepare your child for these standardized tests. But they play a critical role in college admission, and it's only natural to feel anxious about them. However, with the right prep strategies and resources, your child can feel more confident and better equipped to tackle these exams. Let us guide you through practical and effective tips and techniques.

Understanding the Tests: SAT and ACT for Kids

To help your child study for a test, it is essential to clearly understand the purpose behind standardized tests such as the SAT and ACT. While both exams are vital in evaluating a student's potential college readiness, they each emphasize different skill sets. The SAT, for example, strongly emphasizes critical thinking and problem-solving abilities, whereas the ACT focuses more on assessing a student's knowledge of core curriculum subjects. By being aware of these essential differences, parents and educators can better tailor their preparation methods to ensure their child is well-equipped to succeed on test day and ultimately succeed in a college environment.

Strategy 1: Starting Early

The first SAT prep strategy is to prepare for the upcoming test well in advance. This approach lets your child become more acquainted with the test's layout and organization. Experts advise beginning the preparation process no later than six months before the test date. This will provide ample time for your child to learn and master the necessary skills and knowledge to succeed.

Strategy 2: Personalized Study Plan

Recognizing that each student has a distinct set of strengths and weaknesses is essential. For instance, your child might exhibit exceptional mathematical abilities but encounter difficulties comprehending written text. By pinpointing these areas of proficiency and deficiency, you can establish a tailored study regimen that concentrates on augmenting their weaker aspects while sustaining their stronger ones. This approach will enable your child to develop a well-rounded skillset that caters to their unique needs and abilities.

Strategy 3: Practice Tests

Since ACT focuses on curriculum, a great ACT help strategy is to engage in test practice sessions to obtain a more accurate perception of the real exam. This approach presents an opportunity to simulate the test environment, recognize areas that require improvement, and boost your child's confidence levels. By doing so, your child will be better equipped to excel in the actual examination. Just like SAT, ACT for kids may feel overwhelming. But with practice tests, they will know what to expect, and it will help them achieve their desired outcome.

Strategy 4: Healthy Study Habits

It is crucial to instill healthy study habits in your child to ensure their academic success. Encourage them to take regular breaks during study sessions, preferably every 30 minutes, to avoid mental fatigue and burnout. A well-balanced diet rich in nutrients, such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and protein, can help boost brain function and improve focus. Also, ensure your child gets enough sleep, as it plays a vital role in their overall well-being and academic performance, especially the night before the exam. Physical activity can be an excellent way to reduce stress and anxiety while enhancing concentration, so consider incorporating it into your child's daily routine.

Strategy 5: Seek Professional Help

If your child is facing academic difficulties and needs extra help, Tutorpeers is the ideal solution. We offer online peer tutoring services that provide comprehensive support to help improve your child's SAT and ACT exam scores. Our tutors have already taken and excelled in the ACT and SATs. They can provide personalized guidance and valuable tips to enhance your child's academic skills and approach to these exams.

Conclusion

Preparing your child for the SAT or ACT may appear daunting, but with the right strategy and resources, it's absolutely achievable. It's crucial to remember that the journey is just as significant as the destination, so it is essential to encourage your child to grow and learn throughout the process. At Tutorpeers, our tutors are committed to helping you every step of the way. They offer a wide range of valuable resources that can assist you in preparing your child for these critical exams. Start the journey of finding our exceptional tutors today to give your child the unmatched support they need to achieve their goals.

Q&A

Q: What does SAT stand for?
A: The SAT stands for Scholastic Assessment Test.

Q: How to check my child's SAT scores?
A: To see your child's SAT scores, log in to your College Board account and go to the Student Score Report page. You can view their latest score and previous SAT/PSAT-related scores. Click on a specific score for a more detailed report, or wait up to eight weeks for a physical copy to be mailed.

Q: How many SAT attempts are allowed?
A: You can take the SAT multiple times, but most students choose to take it twice - once at the end of junior year and again at the start of senior year. Taking it more than twice can become expensive and stressful. Preparing and aiming for your target score within two or three attempts is best to save time and money while meeting scholarship and college requirements.

Q: Is the SAT changing in 2023?
A: The College Board has announced that the SAT will transition from paper-and-pencil to digital by 2024. The first students to take the digital SAT will be international students in March 2023, followed by US students in March 2024. By spring 2024, all students will take the SAT digitally on laptops and tablets at either their school or a test center. The digital version of the SAT will be shorter, more adaptive, and have a less complicated reading section than the current version.

Q: What is the SAT score required for Harvard?
A: Harvard University is highly competitive and selective, with an average SAT score of 1515 out of 1600. To increase your chances of admission, aim to score above the 75th percentile and maintain a solid academic record and extracurricular involvement.

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