What do we need to know about the SATs?

The PSAT is generally taken in Octoberr of the junior year. Your young person should then schedule taking the SAT-I in the spring, although it's wise to take the first SAT as early as January of the junior year. For students who will be taking SATs at some point during the school year, they will be required to take a grammar/writing component. Some colleges also recommend or require SAT II tests.

When should my young person take the SAT-II subject tests?

When he finishes the course (or series of courses) on which he is being tested! Do NOT wait 5 or 6 months. Strike while the iron is hot!

Which SAT-II tests should you take?

Play to your strengths! Take the test soon after you've completed the course

Should your young person prepare for the SATs ?

It doesn't hurt, but there are no guarantees! (Note: I'm always available to help prep for the verbal portion either one-to-one or in small groups.) There are excellent books and CDs available at bookstores. ARCO, College Board, Kaplan, and Peterson offer excellent publications. There is also a course offered here as an elective, as well as after-school programs run by faculty members in math and verbal SAT.

  Note : Only those students who are truly (documented) learning disabled are eligible for untimed SATs. "Admissions committees," explains Edward B. Ball, "are well aware that this game ('boutique' learning disabilities) is being played."

How important are the SAT scores to colleges?

Too important! While every admissions counselor admits that these scores do not help identify talent, higher order thinking, creativity, writing ability, student personality, stamina, or morality, they still rely on them in the initial evaluative stage of the game.  However, a recent article in the 9/11/00 issue of TIME magazine suggests that change is coming. More and more colleges are de-emphasizing or not requiring SAT scores, particularly the small private colleges. It may be to the advantage of some students that colleges are turning to class rank, GPA, essays, and recommendations as their first line of attack. No doubt the SAT will survive the scrutiny of most colleges, but future emphasis may be placed on the whole student, which, in my view, is a good practice.  

  While the SAT does not test creativity and problem solving, the SAT-II subject tests do. The SAT-II reflects and measures creativity, higher order thinking, writing, etc. and are, therefore, more valuable as assessment tools. Most selective schools require them.

** Many thanks to Elaine Troisi, Gifted Program Director for Twin Valley School District for this valuable resource.