When to begin test prep…optimally

By SAT ACT Test Prep

When parents call, I tend to calm them down.  Most want to do what is BEST for their child.  Sometimes this just is not possible.  So, when I provide advice below about what is “optimal” but you are not able to follow the advice, do not needlessly fret.  We can just figure out what is next best.

As Connecticut high school years end in the next couple of weeks, parents – particularly those in high school and about to enter college admissions season – call to ask many things but the number one question is usually “when should I begin SAT Prep?”

If you have received generic advice on this question or on most other questions related to college admission, you are likely not getting an answer that adequately addresses your personal situation.

When asked by a parent about when to begin prep, certain advisors have a pat answer based on whatever philosophy they espouse. To be clear, many of the college counselors and guidance counselors in the Shoreline, CT area are outstanding. But, most are not expert in the area of test prep.

Instead, we ask questions about YOUR CHILD.

The initial question relates to the student’s college aspirations.

While precise answers are not necessary, such as the exact colleges the student is examining, usually parents have a general feel as to whether the student will aspire to selective, highly selective, or most selective colleges.

The second question regards the student’s current ability.

The PSAT from either sophomore or junior year provides a wonderful diagnostic test.

If not, then other standardized tests and perhaps general performance on big tests are useful in helping to assess the situation.

Follow-up questions relate to the student’s mindset and schedule. It’s certainly helpful if the student has begun to think about colleges. In addition, the busyness of sports and other activities during certain seasons makes the question of when to prep a logistical as well as pedagogical question.

The Gap

The issue of when to prep (and how much to prep) revolves around the “gap” between the student’s goals and the student’s present score, measured largely by PSAT results.

The larger the gap, the earlier to begin.

The Double Jump

We have had great success with students who start before junior year or at least in the fall of junior year, rather than the more common start in the winter/spring of junior year.

For those who need substantial improvement, the process evolves as follows:

The student begins prep prior to the junior year PSAT. During that period, the student has their first jump in score as measured by practice testing.

The student takes the PSAT in a more confident state and does better than expected (based on improvement from a sophomore PSAT or similar diagnostic testing).

The student now knows for a fact that improvement is possible. This mindset is a significant positive as we move forward

In contrast, most students who do not like standardized tests do not prep prior to the junior year PSAT.

They take the test cold. The following consequences naturally unfold: they feel confused and frustrated while taking the PSAT; they perform poorly, and they develop a negative mindset going forward.

The impact of that last fact can not be underestimated. When students believe that they are “bad test-takers”, they typically work less and create a self-fulfilling prophecy for the real test.

Back to our initial student who began prep early…

Early success breeds confidence and confidence breeds motivational energy.

The student who improved prior to the junior year PSAT is now at least reasonably confident about test-taking.

This confidence helps create the energy to prep for the real test.

While there is usually a bit of plateau in practice scores for a period of time after the PSAT, a second jump usually occurs prior to the first real SAT.

That second jump demonstrates the wisdom of the early start.

Instead of having the helpful single jump that test prep usually provides, the student bumps up twice.

That often is the difference between a mediocre and a good score.

But, everyone is different…

While we have had wonderful results with early starters, not everyone needs to start early.

Occasionally, we will meet students who have a PSAT score that is generally in line with scores required by the highest schools of their interest.

They also might be busy in the summer and the fall.

For them, starting in the winter/spring is totally fine.

The issue revolves around you and YOUR CHILD.

Avoid listening to generic advice.

Ask questions that pertain to your situation.

YOUR CHILD is all that matters.

For example, we recently met with a student from Madison, CT who was seeking test prep help. She had been told to take the test once during junior year and then once again October.

That advice worked for students about ten years ago.  Now, most students either applying to competitive colleges or seeking to gain merit money due to high test scores would do well to take the SAT a minimum twice as a junior – three times is not unreasonable – and then as needed in the fall of senior year.

Students who prep in the summer before junior year will not only be ready for October PSAT that all juniors take but also test dates in the fall (Oct., Nov., Dec.) and even the new summer SAT (August).

Taking an SAT during this time frame and then following up with the Connecticut mandated SAT (usually April) and at least one more in the spring would be OPTIMAL.