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