Sat/act Testing Advise or Sights to Refer To

Hi M.,

I'm really old school on these tests, since I took them in the Sixties and did extremely well with no preparation except what the Educational Testing Service mailed us. That said, if your daughter is very anxious over tests, I recommend that she make sure she does all her homework and understands it. The other commenters have given you suggestions on books to read and websites--go to the library and get out some of the books and if she likes one best, maybe you could buy it. If your high school offers Latin, enroll her in Latin--even a little will help immensely in the vocabulary sections. Reading the introduction in a good dictionary might be helpful as it usually goes over word derivation. She should read one good book a week this summer to help her vocabulary and reading skills--Harry Potter is great, also Jane Austen, Shakespeare's plays, Pilgrim's Progress (if she knows anything about literature, she'll find out how many sayings come from Pilgrim's Progress!), the Diary of Anne Frank, the Iliad and the Odyssey, Greek and Roman mythology, etc. This kind of background should increase her knowledge base and vocabulary and the experience of the kinds of testing, and may relieve her test anxiety somewhat.

This being said, a lot of schools don't require these kinds of tests any more, so her scores may not be so critical. Also, she can always retake the tests.

I hope she does well.

E.

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There's a good selection of SAT preparation books at most big bookstores. She should choose one, and then set aside some time every day to study it. The only cure for test anxiety is to be as well-prepared as possible.

Your daughter needs to understand, however, that some people are good test takers, and others never do well on tests, and that the tests are not a good real-world indicator of her ability, or the extent of her learning.

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I taught my middle school students test taking strategies, and this approach seemed to alleviate test taking anxiety. Kaplan, Princeton Review and other test prep classes teach strategies too. The test prep books have this info, but If your daughter learns better from a classroom setting or listening to someone break down the info, then one of the courses might be helpful.

Just to reiterate what others have written, take advantage of the practice tests.

Ah, the dreaded tests. There are a couple of things she can do. One is to take the Pre SAT/ACT. It's practically a practice test. The second thing is to join a study group and test her randomly (the books are pricey but well worth it) so that she gets used to this test.
Another thing would be to maybe enroll her in some type of relaxation course- meditation, yoga, tai-chi...they teach relaxation breathing and can help her soothe herself before entering into a test/exam. The yoga breathing really helps me alot.
Hope this helps her and good luck!

My oldest daughter has been helped immensely by Tudoring Club. They not only tudor kids in Math and Reading, but also in strategies for taking the SAT.

What helps me calm down is a homeopathic preparation called Rescue Remedy. I calms my nerves so that I can concentrate. It's non-addictive and safe for kids of all ages. You find it in a health food store in the nutritional supplements section. It really helps with the anxiety.

You may want to contact your daughter's school administrator and request an SST (Student Success Team) to determine whether or not she might qualify for a 504 Plan. A 504 Plan is a legal plan that documents necessary curricular accommodations needed for the student to be successful in academic and testing situations. Your family doctor may need to provide a statement regarding "anxiety" but the school district is required by law to fulfill your request for a SST. Good Luck!

the more practice tests she does, the better prepared she is and that reduces anxiety. Do encourage her to do these tests everyday this Summer. If she is willing, work on tests on different books (Kaplan, Princeton Review, REI... etc. as they are different in difficulties and approaches.
The best way to help her improve her scores -for example in Maths- is to go through and explain to her her wrong answers for each test so that she could learn them before she does another test; and if she keeps working this way, she will improve, get familiarize with the questions and gain confidence. Good luck!

I have to echo Angela's advice. My daughter had horrible test anxiety when they started standards testing late last year. The school implemented quarterly benchmark tests as practice this year. All of the students sailed through the state tests last month like it was just another test.

Don't bother with the review courses. They're very expensive and you can do just as well at home with some practice tests.

HTH

Try the college board website. They have lots of info.
collegeboard.com

Speaking as a High school English Teacher... and not a Mom (although I am one of those too), my advice is this: Take your daughter to Barnes & Noble or Borders and get some SAT/ACT test prep books. These will help her to know what kinds of questions to expect on both tests. In addition, there are websites that have sample test questions from both tests as well. Just go to Google and type in SAT ACT sample test questions. Finally, have her take the test as early as possible in the school year. Most cities offer the test at various schools throughout the school year and there is nothing that says she can't take them more than once if she doesn't do as well as she would like the first time. Unfortunately, the problem there is $$$. The more exposure your daughter has to the material and format of the questions, the more at ease she should be with the exams themselves. Most importantly, remind her that they are just tests and no test can truly reflect the full magnitude of an individual's intellect and knowledge. Good luck and remember, your support and encouragement will be a priceless tool in helping your daughter to become more relaxed with the overall experience.

Maybe you and your daughter need to be looking at the bigger picture -- getting her to be a productive adult in the next 10 years.

I recommend the book "Ready or Not Here Life Comes" by Mel Levine. He'll open your eyes to the fact that academic skills are just part of what will make your daughter successful.

In addition to having your daughter study of the SAT and ACT tests, spend some time talking about what sort of a career she really wants and will do well at. Encourage her to get a job (OK-- maybe not this summer with the bad economy, but put the seeds in her head for next summer.)

It seems to me that a lot of my neighbors kids who are smart but don't do well on standarized tests go to the local community college for two years and then transfer to a UC. (or schools like USC). The parents seem to like that fact that it save them money, too.

The point is -- she has a lot of options. She can still succeed in life without doing brillantly on the college boards.