This is a contributed post from Erica Meltzer, founder of The Critical Reader. Erica is the author of Reading & Writing Test Book: Digital SAT®.
Although test-optional admissions were gaining steam prior to Covid-19, the pandemic pushed many colleges to drop standardized testing requirements. While this shift in policy has removed some of the pressure on applicants, there are still compelling reasons for students to sit for the SAT, and to take the preparation process seriously. When admissions officers are sorting through tens of thousands of applications, any additional information that can be used to put academic performance in context can be a crucial factor. In fact, of the schools that have returned to requiring scores, admissions officials have been candid about their decision to reject some promising applicants because they lacked sufficient information about their academic preparation.
The truth is, there is also no way to know what “hooks” students admitted without test scores may have—the NCAA, for example, has moved to permanently make score-submission optional for recruited athletes, who are generally admitted at much higher rates than other applicants.
In addition, if your family will require financial aid, test scores may be required for certain scholarships—regardless of a school’s general policy. High scores may also carry more weight in admissions at less-selective institutions, including ones that offer very substantial merit aid.
So that said, here are some tips for supporting your teen through the SAT prep process.
5 Ways Parents Can Help Their Teen with SAT Test Prep
1. Identify your teen’s strengths and weaknesses, and focus prep accordingly
If they’re already scoring close to their target range and just needs a few tweaks to get them to the next level, then supervised self-directed SAT study plan might be the best route. Or, if they require more structure, a prep course focused on the exam as a whole may be most appropriate.
On the other hand, a junior who is scoring well into the 700s in Math but whose English score lags 150+ points behind is more likely to benefit from highly targeted sessions with a specialist tutor. Keep in mind that although private tutoring may be more expensive on a per-session basis, it can lead to success more quickly and ultimately save you money as well as stress. But tutoring isn’t a magic bullet. A student will still need to put in the work, come to sessions prepared, and be open to applying new strategies.
2. Focus on official material for the Digital SAT
Most of the discussion surrounding the digital SAT has focused on the new electronic format and shorter testing time. There are, however, important content changes—including the addition of some question types and the elimination of others—that have received far less attention. Because of these updates, prep material designed for the paper-based version of the exam is no longer fully relevant.
In addition, commercial test-prep publishers may not be attuned to the nuances of the new test. Particularly for full-length official SAT practice tests, stick to the ones produced by the College Board (available in print in the Official Guide or electronically via Khan Academy and the BlueBook app).
If you’re looking for an up-to-date resource to help your teen prepare for the digital SAT, We recommend Erica Meltzer’s book Reading & Writing Test Book: Digital SAT®.
3. Do as many at-home practice tests as necessary—but don’t sign your teen up for the real thing until they’re ready!
Some of my most challenging experiences as a tutor involved students who had sat for the real exam multiple times (seven, in one extreme case) before they were fully prepared. Although colleges generally allow applicants to select which sets to send (score choice), and will consider only the highest English and Math scores (superscoring), this flexibility can have a downside. “Cold” testing often results in scores that are well below what a student is capable of, setting off a process of frustration and self-doubt. In addition, knowing that there’s always another chance to get things right may lead students to take the preparation process less seriously than they would otherwise, and to indulge in wishful thinking about getting lucky and “just happening” to ace the test.
Inevitably, when I was called in to help after multiple rounds of testing, parents were on edge, students were convinced they’d never improve, and the psychological hurdles were at least as challenging as the academic ones. In contrast, students who took multiple practice tests on their own, and who did not sign up for the real exam until they were consistently scoring in their target range, were calmer and more confident, and achieved results much more reflective of their actual skills.
4. Find a balance: Don’t push too hard or trash the test
On one hand, make it clear that a high SAT score is not the be-all-end-all of a strong college application; students who feel excessively pressured to do well, or to take the exam more times than they are comfortable with, may shut down and avoid studying. At the other extreme, badmouthing the test can also be very counterproductive (no matter how unpleasant your own memories may be). While statements such as “the only thing the SAT tests is how well you take the SAT” may be intended as reassurance, knowing that their parents don’t take the test seriously gives students license not to take it seriously either.
Rather, help them set realistic goals and figure out what specific steps are necessary to achieve them. Setting up a study schedule and calendar with major registration/testing dates can go a long way towards making the process seem more manageable.
Related: College Essays: A Great Opportunity for Students to Be Vulnerable
5. Use SAT vocabulary words in daily life
On the digital SAT, traditional SAT vocabulary is back, and it counts for a lot: around 10 of the 57 Reading/Writing questions on every test are devoted to vocab. Although much was made over the elimination of “obscure” vocabulary for the 2016-2023 version of the exam, remember that words a 16-year-old considers “hard” or “weird” (“recreation,” “defer,” “monetize”) are actually fairly mainstream for many adults.
To get a sense of where your child stands, try a few vocabulary questions from an official practice test with them. If these questions look like a potential stumbling block, try to integrate a handful of advanced words into your everyday conversation (most vocabulary is acquired passively, through repeated exposure). You can also pick a short article on a topic of interest to read together every day, discussing any unfamiliar words.
Do you have a child interested in pursuing college?
Our friends at Grown & Flown offer an incredible program called College Admissions: Grown & Flown that will help you navigate the entire process. College Admissions: Grown & Flown is a subscription service that offers unparalleled access to world-class college admissions experts through live Q&As, access to a video library of 50+ past sessions, and a private membership community. Click here for a 21-day free trial!
Parenting teens is a tough job, but you’re not alone. These posts might help:
Graduation Gifts: 20 Of The Best Ever Books To Give High School Graduates
You Need These Important Legal Forms When Your Child Turns 18
Hey Kid, I’m Really Gonna Miss Sitting in These Stands
The Simple and Powerful Advice that Every High School Graduate Needs to Hear
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