Preparation for the SAT or ACT is a constant theme throughout a student’s junior and senior years of high school. It can also be a period of great stress, as students navigate multiple demands on their time and an unfamiliar, high-stakes test.
Although students must ultimately take these standardized exams on their own, parents can be invaluable resources leading up to the test, whether students require help with organization or content mastery.
Here are three ways students and parents can partner on SAT and ACT prep.
[Where to find overlooked SAT and ACT study resources.]
— Communicate: Students should start preparation for the SAT or ACT as early as possible — at least two to three months before their test date, but ideally longer — and scheduling regular check-ins with their parents can help them remain on track and less stressed.. Remember that communication is more than speaking — it requires active listening too. Both students and parents must take responsibility for both sides of the communication process.
Students, clearly communicate your needs. For instance, do you require additional study materials, or assistance in identifying a quiet study space? Do you need gentle reminders to actually sit down and review? Finally, remember that the valuable advice your parents offer can help you streamline your prep, but hard work will still be required on your side.
Parents, aim to draw out your student’s aspirations. You may need to encourage your child or help set realistic goals, but it is ultimately the student who must do the work.
Consider Sara — typically a high achiever — who is facing a junior year jam-packed with debate team, three Advanced Placement classes and a commitment to tutor elementary students once a week. In addition, her score on her first practice SAT was 200 points lower than her target result. How is she going to get all this work done?
Instead of complaining about her stress levels, although it is wise to talk through feelings, too, she asks her father to help her figure out when she can work on test prep. Instead of only offering moral support, her father listens to her request and draws on his work experience to help Sara create a balanced schedule.
Given the testing schedule for Sara’s classes and her debate team trips, he sees that she needs to plan to focus her SAT prep during the first months of the school year before her other responsibilities ramp up.
[Get five tips for SAT and ACT procrastinators.]
— Establish targets: Work together to set realistic targets for test scores. It is all too easy for students to become lost in immediate pressures they are facing and lose their focus on the long term.
Many high achievers can also become mired in a cycle of thinking that perfection is the only acceptable outcome. Students should again take the lead in setting targets, but parents can act as a voice of moderation if they feel the student isn’t considering all aspects of the testing process, or has selected targets that are too high or too low.
For instance, Jose dreams of attending a top undergraduate creative writing program and is wondering if he should retake the ACT to earn a more competitive score.. If so, how should he use his limited study time, given that he must take the last test in two months?
Jose’s mother listens to him explain his college goals and reminds him that the ACT composite score is an average of the four testing areas. She sees that Jose has scored in the 85th percentile in the English and reading sections but that his composite score is negatively affected by merely above-average math and science scores.
While Jose initially wishes to raise English and reading to the 90th percentile, his mother encourages him to instead strengthen his math and science scores. They also decide that Jose will pursue an additional class in creative writing to demonstrate his dedication to the field.
[Get true answers about common SAT and ACT strategies.]
— Set goals: Finally, students and parents can work together to set short- and long-term preparation goals. For example, how much improvement can a student expect between a practice test and an actual test, given the student’s available time and resources? When should students schedule an initial exam, and is there room to retake the test, if necessary? Determine the answers to these questions in advance.
At the start of her senior year, Jenny has to try out for a soccer club in addition to a heavy load of International Baccalaureate classes. Before her schedule becomes chaotic, her mother helps Jenny clarify her college goals.
Jenny wants a spot in a top biology program as well as ideally an athletics scholarship. Her mother reminds her of the importance of a strong SAT or ACT score in making those dreams come true. They plan for Jenny to take a practice test at the end of the summer, before school begins. They will identify her weakest subject areas on the test, and then Jenny will take the real test in early spring after addressing these areas.
In the shorter term, Jenny will focus on her high school classes and sports. To avoid rust on her SAT or ACT skills, she will devote two hours per weekend to test prep until the late fall, when she will then focus intensively on studying.
Teamwork can make difficult situations more manageable. Students and parents should continuously communicate and work together to set realistic targets and goals.
More from U.S. News
Master Contextual Reading Skills for SAT Literature Subject Test
3 Reasons to Register for the Earliest SAT, ACT Exams
Determine Whether to Declare a Major on College Applications
How Students, Parents Can Partner on SAT, ACT Prep originally appeared on usnews.com
