So the College Board is launching another new version of the SAT.  Any parent confused by the new, 2400-point scale of the SAT currently in place is probably exasperated: ten years after switching everything up, the College Board has announced that the "even newer" version of the SAT set to launch in 2016.  Why are they doing this?  And what should you do to prepare for the changes?

Fortunately, the change is actually great news for parents and students, even if the College Board is making it for all the wrong reasons.  To understand why this is all happening, you'll first need:

A Brief History of the SAT's Changes:

In 2005, the SAT switched from a two-section, 1600-point test to a three-section, 2400-point test.  They added an extra "Writing" section, worth 800 points, which tested the proper usage of English grammar, and added an essay to gauge student writing skills.  They also did away with analogies, which were thought to be "pure vocabulary" and put less privileged students at a distinct disadvantage.

One small problem: the entire enterprise fell flat.  The new writing section is a joke.  Very few colleges take it seriously, almost no one cares about or even reads the essay, and colleges often release score expectations only for the Reading and Math sections.  They pretty much act as if the new test was never released in the first place.  The Writing section is "icing on the cake" - it's great if you have high scores, but high scores in Writing, without high scores in Math and Reading, won't get you admitted.

Another small problem: analogies weren't the issue. The issue is SAT vocabulary in general, which tests words like "expectorate," cantankerous," etc. - obscure vocabulary words that are nice to know, but not particularly indicative of a student's abilities or intelligence - just indicative of whether or not he can afford a tutor or has been read to a lot as a child. Everyone shares their frustrations about these vocabulary requirements, and recognizes how pointless they are.

Also a problem: the College Board lost the confidence of a lot of parents.  How could a test that everyone has taken for decades suddenly change its entire scoring system?  Parents used to the 1600-point scale suddenly had no idea what the new scores meant.  A test that many felt was an "IQ test," and that was scientifically formulated for optimal student evaluation, suddenly made a nonsensical, seemingly arbitrary revision to its entire format that no one seemed to like.

The biggest problem: since the changes to the SAT in 2005, the ACT has also overtaken the SAT as the most commonly-taken college entrance exam in the country.  It's more simple, more straightforward, and it hasn't changed.  It doesn't test for obscure vocabulary (just simple, "within context" words in their reading passages, such as "empirical" and "oblivious," etc.). And that trend is continuing onward - the ACT eats up more of the SAT's "market share" every year.

So now, the SAT has decided to change yet again.  Because the College Board's strategy didn't work, and because the ACT is becoming increasingly more popular, they're caving in and making a test much more similar to the ACT.  The entire thing reminds me of the "New Coke" fiasco from decades past.  It would be funny, if it weren't so sad and ridiculous.  So here's what to expect, how to prepare, and a more in-depth look at what the College Board has in store for you (and how to deal with it):

So what will the new SAT be like?

First, the SAT will be switching back to the 1600-point scale that everyone knows and loves.  Only a small group of students will now have to explain to everyone what a 1900 on the SAT "actually means."  There will be one 800-point verbal section, and one 800-point math section.

Second, the SAT will now be 45-minutes shorter.  Phew.

Third, the SAT will make the essay optional.  No one cared about it to begin with, and the College Board is finally "admitting" this by falling on their own sword and basically telling everyone that they made a mistake.  But they're still keeping it around, just in case students feel like writing it.  OK.

But the real changes are coming to the content.  The SAT is no longer going to test for insane vocabulary words.  They're getting rid of obscure mathematical concepts and sticking with more straightforward geometry, algebra, and arithmetic concepts.  Or, in other words, they are making the SAT exactly like the ACT, praying that parents will still choose it because it's "the devil that they know."

As an SAT and ACT tutor, I'm often shocked by how many parents shun the ACT because they think it's "alternative" or "bohemian."  The ACT is an extremely difficult, challenging test full of real, relevant material.  But because it used to be taken only by Midwestern students, and many parents aren't familiar with it, the SAT still enjoys one huge, intangible advantage: it's seen as "the more serious test."  Now, hilariously, the SAT will be acting more like the ACT to be seen as "more legitimate."

If you want to see some of the bumbling reasoning behind this, please take a look at some of the statements from the College Board in this recent USA Today article:

The College Board Falls on Its Sword

The College Board is a HUGE fan of pretending that its tests are objective, relevant analyses of student performance.  Nothing could be further from the truth, as I say again and again in all my books, guides, and conversations with parents, but they still like to maintain the charade.

The SAT and ACT are BOTH ridiculous, and don't really gauge student ability or level of performance - but colleges care a lot about them.  If colleges demanded that students juggle bowling pins for admission, I'd teach bowling pin juggling.  Both tests are easily gamed, and both tests give enormous advantages to any student who prepares for them properly.

The College Board cannot stand SAT tutors, SAT prep classes, and basically anyone else in my industry for one simple reason: we're proof that their running narrative is a lie.  They constantly maintain that "one cannot prepare for these tests" - yet this is such an obvious untruth that they've spawned a multi-billion-dollar industry geared toward preparing students for these tests.  It's like an architect claiming that his new building can't possibly burn down, then taking out $1,000,000,000 in fire insurance the same day.

The only test that you can't actually prepare for is an IQ test (though even then, there are some methods that have been shown to work).  There's no such thing as a test that you can't prepare for.  How would that even be possible?  

The new SAT is being launched with a bizarre PR spin: it's now "the people's test."  The College Board is partnering with Kahn Academy to provide free online SAT prep (which I think is awesome - I have nothing but respect for Kahn Academy, and it's amazing that kids will be able to access some high-quality prep materials for free) in an attempt to show that their test is no longer "solely for the privileged."   But, like any test, the new SAT will follow the same golden rule that all tests follow:

Any student can be taught to take any test, and the students who receive the best instruction the most frequently will be the students who get the best scores.  

The irony is almost unreal.  In an attempt to make their test "less arbitrary," the College Board is actually pointing out to the nation just how arbitrary their test really is.  

So what can you do to prepare?

Here's my step-by-step guide to help parents and students get through this ridiculous ordeal unscathed:

1. If you're planning on taking the SAT before 2016, it's business as usual.  The new test doesn't get launched until then, so you have plenty of time to prepare for the SAT using the methodologies at hand.

2. If you're planning on taking the ACT, then it's business as usual.  This won't affect you in any way, shape, or form.

3. No matter what, always figure out whether your child should take the SAT or the ACT before beginning a prep program.  I'll be releasing a free, comprehensive guide on this topic shortly.  Some students are "meant" to take the SAT or the ACT, so figuring this out ASAP is important regardless.

4. If your child is a freshman in high school (or younger), plan on preparing for the ACT.  The most beautiful thing about teaching these two tests is this: students who prepare for the ACT get better at taking the SAT and vice versa.  They are extremely similar exams that test nearly identical material and concepts.  So if your child is young, and you want to get a head start, look at the ACT.  If the new SAT ends up being better for your child, the prep will "cross over" quite easily.  You won't waste a second preparing for the ACT regardless of which test you choose to take.

That's all there is to it.

I'm disappointed with the College Board for throwing parents into such a tizzy, but fortunately for you, there's really nothing to worry about. These changes won't be groundbreaking - they'll be going back to business as usual (minus some vocabulary words, esoteric math concepts, and unread essays).  The SAT will always be important to the colleges that use it as an admission standard, so if you've already been prepping, fret not - your scores will still apply.  If prep is a long way way, stick with the ACT for the time being. And above all else, remember this:

There isn't a test in the world for which you can't prepare.  If your child works hard, follows the right strategies, and take his or her time, high scores will always be attainable.

Learning how to study for the SAT and ACT has many benefits aside from getting you into college.  These exams aren't simply tests of material knowledge: they test your ability to actively, quickly, and logically assemble information, and to process new information in unique and challenging ways.

The tangible benefit of higher SAT and ACT scores is obvious: when you get better scores, you have a better chance of getting into college.  But the intangibles are just as important; often, after working through an intensive SAT or ACT program, students and their parents report higher GPAs, more self confidence, and a renewed interest in reading and extracurricular learning.

As fantastic as these side benefits are, they're not the main "selling point" of a proper test prep plan.  These tests are means to an end, and at the end of the day, every parent wants one thing above all else: concrete results.  If I can get my students higher SAT and ACT scores, and get them into better colleges, everyone is happy.  Everything else is just icing on the cake.

However, a new Wall Street Journal article has highlighted another enormous, practical benefit of getting high SAT and ACT scores:

More companies than ever are requesting ACT and SAT scores when reviewing candidates' job applications.

I highly recommend you read the above article.  It makes an interesting point: many hiring companies use the SAT and ACT scores for the same reason that colleges do: without any other relevant information to work from, the SAT and ACT are excellent indicator's of an applicant's "raw brain power" and "intellectual capacity."

Colleges don't know how hard your school's math program is compared to a competing school's - two students with A+ math averages could have very different levels of capability.  The SAT is the "settling factor" - if both students have A+ averages, but one has a 750 and one has a 500 in math, it's clear who the better math student really is.

Supposedly.

I got a huge kick out of this article for one key reason:

The SAT and ACT are NOT indicator's of a student's intelligence or abilities, but everyone thinks that they are.

Sure - being very smart will give you a leg up on both tests, just like being very tall will give you an initial leg up in basketball. But there have been 5'3'' NBA all-stars, and plenty of 7'0"+ people who never even played college basketball.

The idea that these tests are "intelligence tests" is as widespread as it is wrong.  It's this idea that terrifies many parents and students.  Students who don't "test well" are afraid that they're "bad testers," aren't "smart enough," and are therefore destined for horrible test scores.  It's a horrible, self-reinforcing cycle that never really ends.  Students believe it, parents believe it, and even many schools believe it, even though countless studies have shown that SAT scores are not an indicator of college OR job performance.  All the evidence is there, but no one wants to believe it.

There are two key takeaways here:

1. People care deeply about these tests, and high scores will be an asset through your entire professional career, not just through your college application process.

2. These tests can easily be gamed, and those who prepare properly and follow the proper strategies are setting themselves up for success throughout their entire lives.

Every student is capable of fantastic test scores with the right preparation.  These tests simply require that you know the requisite material and the strategies to use that material.  That's it.  Anyone can learn these things, even if some are naturally further ahead than others when they start preparing.  But ignoring the need for test prep can have ramifications that last far past the application process.

After reading the Wall Street Journal article, I'd like you to consider only three things:

1. The sooner you start your SAT or ACT prep, the better.  These tests require long-term planning and preparation.  No matter how you choose to prepare, make sure that you start early and plan properly.

2. These tests DO NOT test your real abilities or intelligence.  They test how good you are at taking them.  That's it.  Anyone can do well, but doing well is NOT easy.  It takes real work, real preparation, and pure persistence.

3. While the truth about these tests (that they are not real indicators of intelligence or ability) has been proven over and over again, very few people recognize this truth, and act on the exact opposite assumption.  High SAT and ACT scores, for better or worse, are an enormous asset, and low scores will always be a burden.

Have any comments, thoughts, or questions?  Feel free to get in touch and let me know.  If you'd like to work with me, be sure to book me as soon as possible using the "book me" tab above, and if you can't work with my schedule, you can always use my online program on your own time at:

http://www.GreenSATsystem.com

Good luck with your prep, and be sure to get in touch if you have any additional thoughts on this article that I should share with my audience!

Of all the issues parents face during the college process, seemingly none are as confusing or as misrepresented as the PSAT.  The goal of this post is to leave you completely lucid on the issue.  Fortunately, the PSAT is simple to handle and negotiate.  The four questions I'm always asked re: the PSAT are:

1. What's the point of the PSAT?
2. What's the difference between the PSAT and the SAT?3. How should my child prep for the PSAT?
4. When should my child start prepping for the PSAT?


Below, you'll find my answers to all four.

Q: What's the point of the PSAT?
A: To give you a kick in the pants (and, sometimes, to give you brownie points).

The PSAT doesn't play a factor in college admissions unless your child does well.  Students who get great scores on the PSAT can be selected as National Merit Finalists - these students are coveted by colleges and can obtain scholarships and bonuses points that other students don't get.  The number of NMFs at any college is a bragging point, and so colleges want as many as they can get.  Please be aware that lack of NMF status does NOT stop your child from gaining admission, and real SAT scores are far more important.  Becoming an NMF is just icing on the cake.  

If you want your child to become an NMF, read on.

More important than the National Merit Scholarship, however, is the basic idea that the PSAT lets students know how they're going to do on the actual SAT.  If you get a horrid score, it's time to prepare for the real deal.  Colleges don't see bad PSAT scores, so you don't have to worry about bad scores hurting your child's chances.  Bad scores on the PSAT do, however, indicate imminent bad scores on the SAT (as you'll learn in the next question).  So while bad PSAT scores aren't damaging in and of themselves, they do indicate that you need to get your act together regarding the SAT.

Why are they so indicative?  The next question should help:

Q: What's the difference between the SAT and the PSAT?

A: Practically nothing.  The PSAT asks the exact same types of questions as the SAT, in the exact same format.  There are only two actual differences:

1. The PSAT is about half as long as the SAT
2. The PSAT doesn't have an essay

Other than that, the two tests are exactly the same.  While some claim that the questions on the PSAT are slightly easier than those on the SAT, that's a bit subjective.  Overall, the difficulty level, material, etc. on both exams are practically identical.  If you get a great PSAT score, you'll probably get a great SAT score - and vice versa.

However, even if the PSAT is a bit easier than the SAT, it makes no practical difference re: preparation techniques.  Read on to find out why.

Q: How should my child prep for the PSAT?
A: The exact same way he or she should prep for the SAT.

Minus the essay, both tests are the same.  If you want your child to get a great PSAT score, he/she should just prep for the SAT.

There are very few PSAT-prep resources, and to me, they've never made any sense.  Why would you prep for something that's intentionally geared to be easier than what you're actually preparing to do?  It's like training to run a 3K race when you're going to run a 5K a few months later.  What the heck is the point?  Just prep for the 5K to start - it's the same sport.  

Every resource and technique that you'd use for the SAT is equally an viable (if not better) method for the PSAT.  Just prep for the SAT.

With that in mind, the big final question:

Q: When should my child start prepping for the PSAT?
A: That depends - but probably as soon as possible.

I'm a big proponent of prepping for the SAT as soon as you possibly can.  The longer-term your prep, the more prepared you'll be, plain and simple.  Even a few vocab and math drills started during your child's freshman year can make a HUGE difference down the road.

If you're hellbent on getting your child NMF status, then I'd recommend prepping at least three months before the PSAT, just as I recommend starting prep at least three months before the SAT.

Again - if your child doesn't get great PSAT scores, it's not the end of the world.  But if he/she gets great PSAT scores, then he/she is ready to sit down, take the SAT, and get it over with.  So why not rip off the bandaid and get this whole process out of the way?

If you're looking for long-term prep strategies, you can always get in touch using my contact form - I'm always happy to help.

If you'd like to book me for your child's PSAT prep, please read my booking policies and, when you're ready, set up a booking appointment.  Please keep in mind that my schedule is extremely tight, so the earlier you reserve my time, the better.

If you're looking for a good self-study program for the PSAT that you can complete on your own time (and that allows you to study on your own schedule and at your own pace and start early), you can always use my online SAT program to get started. Using my program is also an excellent foundation for working with me 1-on-1 later on, and I discount the purchase price from my own fees.

I hope this was helpful!  Don't hesitate to get in touch if you have any questions using my contact form, and leave any comments below.

-Anthony

The big day is tomorrow.  For all of you who've been studying your hearts out, congratulations!  In 24 hours, you'll be free from the tyranny of the test.

However, no matter how excellent your math, grammar, and reading skills happen to be, you still need to prepare your body and mind properly for the test. If you're sleepy, undernourished, or stressed, you're not going to get the scores that you deserve.  With that in mind, I've decided to publish a little arsenal of my best test-day tips and tricks to help you get the best scores possible on your SAT. 

I've been working on the routine below for years, with over 350 one-on-one students.  Some of it might seem a little "off topic" or ridiculous, but trust me: it's all extremely important.  Just follow the prescription below and you'll knock this thing out of the park:

1. Go to bed early tonight.  Make sure you and your parents set multiple alarms so you don't sub-consciously fear that you won't wake up on time.  If you're having trouble falling asleep, try taking a chilly shower/bath, which will cause you to tire out.  Make sure your room is dark, quiet, and cool.

2. Wake up at least 2 hours before the test starts.  It takes more than 90 minutes for your brain to fully "boot up" after you wake up.  Make sure you're not sleepy when you go into the test by waking up early.

3. Eat a big breakfast immediately upon waking up, and drink a huge glass of water while you eat it.  You'll need lots of energy to do well on the SAT, but you don't want to be digesting while you test.  Make sure to get healthy fats, proteins, and complex carbs - eggs, whole grain toast with peanut butter, a glass of milk, and a cup of yogurt would be ideal.  And make sure to drink the water - you want to be hydrated, but you don't want to have to pee during the exam.

4. When you're done with breakfast, take a 15-20 minute walk - listen to classical music if possible.  You're gonna be sitting for 4-5 hours - you need to get your blood flowing. This will help to reduce your stress and wake you up.  Here's a great playlist to listen to while you walk:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E2LM3ZlcDnk

5. Shower.  Doesn't matter if you're not a "morning shower" person.  Do it - it'll help to wake you up and relax you.

6. Wear layered clothing.  Testing centers can be too hot or too cold - prepare accordingly.  And make sure you're comfortable.

7. Follow your normal caffeine routine.  If you usually drink coffee, don't skip it.  If you don't, don't.

8. Triple check that you have everything you need.  Photo ID, testing ticket, pencils, calculator, batteries, and snacks (bring a bottle of water, a banana, and a few almonds or cashews - you can keep your blood sugar up during breaks and stay hydrated, which is clutch).

9. Get to the testing center early.  Cutting it close stresses you out, and stress is horrible for brain performance.

10. Don't talk to your friends when you get there.  Listen to classical music instead.  Your friends will just stress you out - you need to be in the zone.

11. Review 2 pages of already-completed math, writing, and reading work from your practice sections.  This is THE big one.  Your brain currently isn't in "SAT mode" - you're still not geared in.  Before I discovered this trick, my students used to get their worst scores on their first few sections - their brains were "shocked" by switching from sugarplums to equations and vocab, and they suffered.  Don't do new material - just go over old material you've already conquered and go through the motions.  This will gear you in.  Make sure to conspicuously throw this stuff away before you walk into the testing room!

Listen to classical music while you do this.

12. Pee before you go into the testing room.  Har har har - but seriously, do it.  You don't want to be distracted during the test.

Knock this thing out of the park!

You've worked hard to get to where you are - now just go in there and do your best!

Good luck to everyone taking the SAT tomorrow - I'll be rooting for you!

When it comes to SAT and ACT reading, I'm often asked the same question:

"Sure, you have tips and tricks for the tests themselves - but how do I improve my child's overall reading skills in preparation for your tutoring?"

In other words, parents recognize the value of proper testing strategy, but they also understand that students who are "good readers" will always do better on these tests than students who aren't.

While the SAT and ACT aren't intelligence tests, it would be ridiculous to say that they don't reward students with better mathematical and verbal processing abilities.  Think of these tests like basketball: anyone can be good, but it still helps to be tall.

So how do you make your child "taller?"  How do you improve his/her reading comprehension abilities before he/she ever steps into the testing center?  While the best answer would be, "a lifetime devotion to developing your child's reading ability and love of learning," there are four things parents can start doing immediately that'll have a large impact:

1. Your child needs to read challenging material every single day.  I had a conversation yesterday that went something like this:

If you want high SAT and ACT scores, you need to prepare.  While the material within might be familiar, the styles and formats of these exams are different from anything you're used to - this is where the myth of the "bad tester" comes into play: students who do very well in algebra class bomb the SAT, and think it's because they're simply "not good at testing."

In fact, nothing could be further from the truth.  The reality is simple: these tests present material in their own "language" - if you want to get high scores, you need to learn how to speak it.  Most students and parents assume that, because they have high grades in math and English, these grades will translate into high test scores.  They're shocked when this isn't the case, but they shouldn't be - the SAT is far from a simple math test.  It combines esoteric wording, material from multiple mathematical disciplines, logical reasoning, and time pressure to create an entirely new testing experience.

If you want to get good SAT and ACT scores, you need to prepare for the SAT and ACT - NOT for the isolated material that's tested by these exams.

In other words: it doesn't matter how good your math, vocabulary, reading, and grammar skills are if you've never applied them to the SAT / ACT.

A good analogy: a man spends years and years studying Russian vocabulary words in school.  Every day, he learns a few more, and every week he's tested on their meaning.  He's a straight A+ Russian student.  Then, one day, he's flown to Russia and asked to speak to a bunch of Russians in their native tongue...and what happens?  He'll have no idea how to do it.  Sure, he might have all the vocab words down, but he doesn't have the grammar, the ear for the language, the rapidity of comprehension, the idioms...the list goes on.  And so, even though this student has the material mastered, he still can't speak Russian.

Does this mean the student is "bad at Russian?"  No.  Does this mean the student "just can't do Russian?"  No.  It means that he has never spoken Russian before, so OF COURSE he isn't good at speaking it AT THAT MOMENT!

If you want high SAT / ACT scores, you can't just know the material - you need to be good at taking these tests.  And these tests are unlike anything that you're probably used to.  While tutoring and self-study programs are both good options, classroom courses are the absolute worst way to prepare for the SAT, the ACT, and any other standardized test.  

Why?

Classroom SAT and ACT courses replicate the EXACT errors in instruction that prevent students from getting good test scores in the first place!