If you have a junior in high school, he/she will likely be taking the PSAT, a shorter version of the SAT, this Wednesday, October 16. This test is practice for when students take the 'real' SAT and provides an early indicator/predictor of SAT score.

What about the ACT and the SAT?

I strongly recommend students take a 'practice' ACT and SAT test (in addition to the PSAT) before the end of the first semester of junior year for two reasons:

1) The SAT and ACT test academic ability, but they also are tests of your student's endurance, focus and motivation. As any athlete knows, you can't do your best in competition if you haven't prepared properly. Practice tests provide students the opportunity to get comfortable with deep focus for longer periods of time.

2) Most students show a preference for either the ACT or the SAT - while the tests are essentially the same length, they have significant differences. Colleges DO NOT have a preference for either test, so your student is best served by finding the test that best suits him/her. No need to spend hours prepping for both tests if you are clearly more suited for one or the other.

How do you take a 'practice' SAT or ACT? Simple. Your student's high school may offer a full-length practice tests. Check with your student's counselor or the high school calendar for more information. Through the test prep company Arborbridge, College Made Clear is pleased to offer students free full-length practice SAT and ACT testing. Testing is scheduled at the student's convenience and students take the test in the comfort of their own home. Answer sheets are scored by Arborbridge and parents receive a full diagnostic report with recommendations for improvement.

Ideally, juniors should take a full-length practice test of both the SAT and the ACT, as the PSAT is not a perfect predictor of SAT performance. With both test results, a student will be able to determine with confidence which test is more suitable for him/her.

Timing: Now's the time! I recommend that juniors identify their strongest test by November of junior year and plan to take that test officially three times before the end of junior year. If your student is in need of help determining which test is best or if you'd like your student to take advantage of the free practice test opportunity, please contact me.

Please be advised that I do not have a financial relationship with Arborbridge and do not receive any compensation from them.

Questions? Please let me know. I'm here to help. Click on Contact for more information.