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Barb.b
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| Posted: Aug 22 2013 at 8:18am | IP Logged
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Made a new topic since its related to my other post but really different.
What online, self paced SAT and/or ACT prep is good or do you have experience with? I was looking at the Princeton Review one (after seeing what some SAT prep centers charge  .
She is conscientious but we need something besides the huge SAT prep book we bought (we are kind of thinking - where do we begin with this HUGE book - how to pace, what schedule, order of going through it).
Hoping to find a good online alternative that makes it easy to know WHAT to do each day!
Edited to add - I just looked at some of the many online prep options - I am REALLY wondering which is good to start with. If I remember the College Board one is really just practice tests and answers? But am not sure which one to have her do since I am having a hard time finding out exactly WHAT each entails (want something more then just practices tests)
Barb
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Barb.b
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| Posted: Aug 22 2013 at 10:09am | IP Logged
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SIGH! I have the princeton review book for SAT. It says you can log in when you have the book - for online content. But apparently one needs JAVA to use it. BUT - I don't have that as I heard JAVA is a big security problem for MACS. SOOOO - I don't want to fork out money for their online course if it won't work either. Also - I found the free online content that comes with the book not user friendly and kind of confusing!
Anyone know what the college board course (for $69) comes with.
Barb
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SallyT
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| Posted: Aug 22 2013 at 10:46am | IP Logged
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Khan Academy has lot of online SAT Math prep -- videos and practice, I believe. And they're always good.
Sally
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Barb.b
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| Posted: Sept 17 2013 at 1:44pm | IP Logged
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ANyone else?
DD started college board online course and took a sentence completion quiz and got a 68%. Soooo, not bad for beginning of the year but we were both hoping for a bit better.
What resources have you all used? Books, videos, online, apps. . . . .
I feel like we are blindly picking books and not sure what works best.
Barb
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MarilynW
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| Posted: Sept 17 2013 at 10:03pm | IP Logged
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Barb - I have a ton to write on the subject, but need to find my notes. I will try and type up for you. In a nutshell:
1. Use the big collegeboard blue book just for the practice tests. These are the best. Answers for the Math (in case you need them) are explained on Khan Academy.
2. Use other resources for studying - I have a list I will try and type up for you.
3. Accountability and following up on tests is crucial - make sure every error is understood and corrected.
4. Have your child do the SAT question of the day - create an account and follow progress - free and painless
5. General impressions - the reading and writing are accumulated knowledge from years of good reading and writing. The Math can be studied for.
6. For online classes - the only one I would use is the official Collegeboard one ($69) - if you feel you need an online class. I prefer my kids to do tests using paper and pencil like in the real SAT.
7. For SAT Math review - a great online option is ALEKs math which has an SAT review and you can pay by the month.
8. Do a practice essay every week in the weeks leading up to the test - use free online essay prep (will try and find the link) or IEW High School Writing Intensive or a book called 501 Essay Prompts.
9. Take the PSAT as practice and to identify problem areas.
10. See the SAT as a game. You have to come up with a gameplan and be smart with the studying. And yes - it does count. Not necessarily to get into college - but certainly if you need academic aid.
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MarilynW
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| Posted: Sept 17 2013 at 10:05pm | IP Logged
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Re organizing the huge blue book - just start by doing one test a week, in timed conditions. And then taking the rest of the week to grade and go through errors. Then find similar problems to the ones that were wrong and make sure the student really understands them.
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Marilyn
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Barb.b
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| Posted: Sept 18 2013 at 8:14am | IP Logged
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I am going to get the blue book for the tests then! We have signed up for the college board online class and its ok - but once again probably valuable for the practice tests. I think We may sign up for Barron's online class. It starts with a diagnostic test, then tailors the study for the child - with lessons, video lessons and practice. Its has tons of videos. I think dd will study good that way.
Right now:
Starting next week - test per week (begining with Barron's diagnostic test). At first over a couple days. Then take time go over all errors and tailor what study based on that.
I have an SAT grammar/essay book - she uses for Grammar/Comp class for me for school.
SAT prep using Barrons online class and currently also Princton's book.
Also for vocal - she is starting with the Princeton's book's list and studying that.
What I like - she is motivated to study and taking it seriously! Truthfully - I think she is motivated to do better then big brother!
Keep the great tips coming!
Barb
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Barb.b
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| Posted: Sept 18 2013 at 8:18am | IP Logged
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Oh - thanks for the tips Marilyn!
I didn't know Khan has answers to the blue book tests (I thought College board online did too?) Maybe both are good!
Nice to know about Alexs math has SAT. I have heard good things about Alex in general - nice to know if we find she needs more help studying for math!
Guess I will find out after she takes Barron's practice test and maybe the week or 2 after that one from the blue college board book!
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Barb.b
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| Posted: Sept 18 2013 at 8:50am | IP Logged
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About Aleks SAT - is it doable along with our regular math? She is finishing up Saxon alg. 2 in about 4 weeks and then we start Saxon adv. math. I am hoping Aleks would be a doable supplement? Or is it time consuming in which case I wouldn't do it because she needs to be AT LEAST 1/3 of the way through the Saxon adv. math before taking SAT in spring.
Barb
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MarilynW
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| Posted: Sept 18 2013 at 9:11am | IP Logged
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We do the ALEKs either as summer review,as a diagnostic to see what is missing for the SAT, or as a quick refresher. You can choose how long to spend on it. Contact ALEKs and ask for a free trial of their SAT course - so you can figure it out.
Figure out from a diagnostic test - what (if any) section is your daughter's weak one and focus on that. My children have thus far been perfect on reading and writing, but needed to work on Math, so we have focused on this.
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Kristie 4
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My dd needs no help on the math section but needs to work alot on the English section- do you have any pointers for how to go about that Marilyn? (Although I think that is your daughters strong point!)
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MarilynW
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| Posted: Sept 19 2013 at 9:18pm | IP Logged
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Kristie 4 wrote:
| My dd needs no help on the math section but needs to work alot on the English section- do you have any pointers for how to go about that Marilyn? (Although I think that is your daughters strong point!) |
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Kristie - is it the Critical Reading or the Writing Section that your daughter needs help on? The CR is more important - many colleges do not include the Writing in the calculations for academic scholarships. For writing you can do 25 minute practice essays - we used IEW High School Essay which was useful for knowing how the papers are graded and go giving lots of prompts and suggestions. Also Alan Sitomer's site Free SAT Essay Prep
The non essay part of the writing section was quite tricky but she did not really do any prep. Much of the CR and writing require good grammar and vocab - and a clear head on the day to read and process large amounts of text.
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Marilyn
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4Real Forums : High School Years and Beyond
Topic: online SAT prep
