Should My Sophomore Child Start Test Prep?

As the parent of a high school sophomore, you might be wondering whether it's time for your child to start preparing for the SAT or ACT. After all, these tests are crucial for college admissions, and it can be tempting to want to get a head start on the process. But is it really necessary to start test prep so early?

The short answer is that it depends. While students benefit from starting test prep in the summer after sophomore year, others may be better off waiting until later. In this post, we'll break down the factors you should consider when deciding whether to start test prep for your sophomore child.

Step 1: Take Practice Tests

The first step in determining whether your child should start test prep is to have them take one or more practice tests. This will give you a baseline score to work with and help you identify areas of strength and weakness. If your child took the PSAT in their sophomore year and took it seriously, you can start by comparing their score to a practice ACT score.

Step 2: Evaluate the Results

Once you have the practice test results, you can start to evaluate whether your child is ready to start test prep. Here are some factors to consider:

Math Content Knowledge: One of the biggest determinants of success on the SAT and ACT is math content knowledge. If your child's practice test scores show that they are struggling with math concepts, it may be beneficial to wait until they have completed more advanced math classes before starting test prep.

Test Suitability: Another important factor to consider is which test your child is best suited for. Some students do better on the SAT, while others perform better on the ACT. The practice test results can help you identify which test is the best fit for your child's strengths and weaknesses.

Prep Required: The practice test results will also give you an idea of how much test prep will be required to achieve your child's target score. If they are within 200 points of their goal score (or 6 points on the ACT), and their math scores are solid, then beginning prep in the summer before junior year may be a reasonable option. However, if they are further away from their goals or if there are significant gaps in their math knowledge, it may make more sense to wait.

Step 3: Make a Plan

Once you've evaluated the practice test results, it's time to make a plan. If your child is ready to start test prep, you'll want to begin by setting a target score and developing a study schedule. This could involve signing up for a test prep program, working with a private tutor, or studying on their own using test prep books and online resources.

If your child is not yet ready to start test prep, that's okay too. Use the practice test results to identify areas of weakness that they can work on in the meantime. Encourage them to take more advanced math classes, read widely, and work on their writing skills.

In conclusion, while some students may benefit from starting test prep as early as sophomore year, there is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question. The most important thing is to use the practice test results to evaluate your child's readiness for test prep and make a plan that works for their individual needs and goals. With the right preparation, your child can achieve their target scores and increase their chances of getting into their top-choice colleges.