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 complete interview by clicking here.
We covered a complete lot of subjects everything from why I believe they ought to leave the vocabulary regarding the SAT as is, to whether I think that test prep works. Among the many topics we discussed were:
- Different types of test prep, which work and why
- Commercial test prep
- Signs of good vs bad test prep
- How to encourage an adolescent
- Just What the College Board is testing
- The time that is best to tour colleges
- Lessons I learned about the SAT
- Lessons I discovered as a mother
We also talked about my upcoming guide, The Perfect get 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 several students.
Do not miss these Kitchen Table Math reviews, which add more insight, including one commenter whom found a (slightly old) College Board report that offers a wide range of details on the decision techniques employed by many universities.
[snip]
The first component is based in your SAT scores, the next component is based on your SAT II scores, plus the third component is dependant on your GPA. The website link above talks about a GPA table provided to the eight universities, but it does not explain how the GPA is determined. It appears to use a scale that is weighted the most effective score is 4.3. I have not learned exactly how this true shmoop essay writer quantity is calculated. The spreadsheet then proceeds to decide on the higher rating connected with each of the two GPA numbers. It’s always struck me that the SAT ratings make up two-thirds with this index. Colleges might include a fudge factor if they know something about a high school, but no option for that shows up within the example spreadsheet.
Quadruplets’ Mom Needs SAT Advice
Dear Ms. Stier:
I recently came across your site and it is loved by me! Thanks for doing it.
I could actually use some advise on how best to approach test that is SAT for my quadruplets. [me: OMG]
I have 3 girls and 1 boy. They took the PSAT in sophomore and they will take the PSAT again this October year.
Certainly one of the disadvantages of getting all my children the same age is that any mistakes I make affects all four. None of them benefit so I hope to get this as right as I can from me learning from my mistakes.
Do you believe I should have them study as being a tiny group together under my guidance (from experience it is like attempting to herd cats); get a tutor for the four of those in a small group; have someone tutor them individually; or deliver them up to a SAT test prep center? Or a combination of all of these? I have to view my costs too.
Just how do I find a good tutor? What is the most readily useful test prep business?
If these are concerns I can be helped by you with I would appreciate it. Then that’s okay and I appreciate you taking your time to read my email if it is not something that you can help me.
Thanks again for the info that is website
Sincerely,
Multiple Mom
Dear Multiple Mom,
My gut says to do some work together with all four (e.g. a lot of vocab, full practice tests, and they can explain answers to one another because that is clearly a good way to learn), and do a little preparation separately. When you can find a tutor( that is affordable), that’s the most efficient means.
Listed here are a few pre-determined questions to ask a potential tutor (or test prep company):
1) would you modify your approach and, if so, just how?
2) What’s your score that is average gain student? Numerous tutors won’t respond to this concern because there are so variables that are many it’s almost not fair to inquire of. Having said that, an excessive ‘average score gain’ should be a flag. e.g., 200 points in per month.
3) the length of time do you advise students to get ready for the SAT and how much can it cost? The right answer will be individual and will depend on where the student begins and what the goal is.
4) What test prep materials do you use? ( whether it’s not College that is official Board, be wary.)
5) just how much research will 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 faltering step is to own all four young ones take the official College Board practice SAT. You can make use of one through the College Board’s Blue Book, or a practice is had by the College Board test on its website.
You need to determine exactly what they should work on and if they need foundational work or more traditional test prep polish. My guess is they need foundational work, as most kids do (and as we did!). Ensure you pick a tutor or test prep business who are able to assess that well!
Regarding test prep companies, we’d stay away from anyone whom does not primarily utilize university Board material (that would include most/if not all large, brand-name test prep companies).