What it's like taking the SAT, and what to do better.

Avoid feeling like this with proper SAT preparation. 

A few days ago I stumbled across this article from earlier this year about the SAT preparation experience. It's about a mother who decides to take the SAT, prompted by her son's own path down the test-prep road. I found it rather interesting and instructive and I'd like to share some thoughts about why their experience went wrong and how I prepare students differently. 

First up, the author's experience with the essay: "...the key to scoring well on the essay is a clear thesis. "Declare, don't waffle," she counsels. Pick a position and then bang away at it, the way you might a piñata, or a rabid dog." Not the best way to go in my opinion. Yes, essay scores are highly correlated to length, but a key to getting a high essay score is by showing critical thinking skills. The easiest way to do this is by clearly picking a side, but also address the counter points to your side. I teach students to use an outline that comes straight from the College Board itself. Here's a easy hint: write your thesis like this "Yes/No when/if some condition." So, does progress require conflict? "Yes, progress requires conflict when...." This allows you to pick a side while also showing an understanding of the complexity of the issue. If you follow my outline, your scores will go up, I guarantee it. 

Next up, the overwhelming amount of prep material out there. "She signs up for a Kaplan online course, which she ends up hating “every minute of.” She buys a Barnes & Noble’s worth of review books: “Dr. John Chung’s SAT Math,” “A-Plus Notes for Beginning Algebra,” “The New Math SAT Game Plan,” “Kaplan SAT 2400,” “Kaplan SAT Strategies for Super Busy Students,” “Kaplan SAT Strategies, Practice & Review,” “Outsmarting the SAT,” “The Ultimate Guide to SAT Grammar,” “PWN the SAT: Math Guide,” and the College Board’s “Official SAT Study Guide,” which is known as “The Blue Book.” All you need is the Blue Book. I'll provide all the rest, including extra practice tests (REAL SATs). But, as someone who taught Kaplan classes in past, I can completely agree that you'll probably hate every minute of it. 

Another choice quote, "He tells her that the whole premise of her project—sampling a different method of test prep each month—is misguided; successful preparation requires a sustained approach." This idea I firmly agree with. If you really want to see an improvement on the SAT or ACT, you need to have sustained, consistent work. 5 sessions a week for two weeks before the exam won't be as effective as once a week over 8 weeks.