Still struggling with ACT.

I am hoping the OP is looking for honest advice and I will agree with @Cerberi. She stated that the average ACT score is a 22 which would most likely mean that some of the subject scores are less. In the eyes of the academy's the test are not "overblown" and are the only real tool they have to compare and contrast applicants across different school systems. You will be competing against kids that have all of the other stuff as well but also have 30s on their ACT.

You would struggle getting admitted to most state schools with scores that low and I would question his readiness for college level work. I too grew up in a very poor area with few high school standards. Most of the kids that graduate from these schools do not have the educational foundation to be successful at the college level. I am not stating that it is his fault but it is the dirty secret of public education.

I would suggest some sort of test taking class that will help with the process of taking the test. One of those classes helped me many moons ago and may be just what he needs but you do not have much time.

If the scores do not rise to the 28-30 level, investigating a prep school or Junior College might be the best option to help him meet his long term goals. There are different ways to get to his goal. I have a DD who got in on her second try.
 
Next Generation said:
A friend of ours has a son who is a National Merit Scholar. They paid $700 for an in-person "course" of SAT prep, something like a month of weekends. He scored 800 on each section, and he and his mom attributed his scores to these classes. Others who attended the course with him also qualified as National Merit Scholars. (I can't tell you the exact class, but a quick check online yielded several options. If it is something you'd consider, I can contact her to see if I can get the exact class.)

For some, the face-time with an instructor and other students might be more effective that online or book prep. Just a thought.

Wishing him the best!
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Could I have the exact class? I'm a sophomore in High School and I would like to get a head start on my standardized tests!
 
anchors_away said:
Next Generation said:
A friend of ours has a son who is a National Merit Scholar. They paid $700 for an in-person "course" of SAT prep, something like a month of weekends. He scored 800 on each section, and he and his mom attributed his scores to these classes. Others who attended the course with him also qualified as National Merit Scholars. (I can't tell you the exact class, but a quick check online yielded several options. If it is something you'd consider, I can contact her to see if I can get the exact class.)

For some, the face-time with an instructor and other students might be more effective that online or book prep. Just a thought.

Wishing him the best!
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Could I have the exact class? I'm a sophomore in High School and I would like to get a head start on my standardized tests!
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Certainly. I checked with my friend, and her son did the Kaplan prep: https://www.kaptest.com/sat He did the middle one, the SAT Prep Course in person (the price has gone up since 2014, lol!).

However, she is hosting an international student and is going to use the video-based program through Kranse.com. She says it is much less expensive and has good ratings.

I would not hesitate to invest in a program for several reasons. 1) Like it or not, test scores play a HUGE part in almost any application package. 2) You WILL be competing against other students who have completed similar prep courses. 3) Not everyone is successful with self-prep. For this reason, I personally would suggest an in-person program both for the scheduled class times and for the personal interactions with instructors and other serious students.

My DD's scores weren't weak to begin with, so she could afford to tweak on her own with self prep. Because it wasn't a "class," it was easy to put it on the back burner and only put a few hours of prep in, typically in the days immediately prior to the test. She made modest improvements, but nothing to get excited about. If she had weak scores, you can bet she'd have been doing a program.
 
It's not the test. Your son must adapt. If he's ever in battle, he won't be allowed extra time to figure it out. #1 or 2 in his class with a 22 ACT?
 
But there are ways to adapt that might allow him to accomplish what he desires. For many learning, reading and comprehension problems there are small devices that can help get over barriers.

Here's an illustration. I could never tell the difference between lower case d and b, so very early on I went to capital letters for those two. It was a pain when we were doing penmanship in early grade school, but generally I could spell and be understood. That broke down when I got into math in college where upper and lower letters meant different things and I had to use the proper case. My papers were covered with little marks that looked like cherries where I drew a b, decided it was wrong and tried to convert it to a d. At some point my mother noticed this was still going on and wrote the word bed on a sheet of paper. When written in lower case it looks like a bed so you know which is the b and which is the d, so thereafter all my upper division algebra test books had the word bed in the corner of the pages. It's not a solution so much as a coping mechanism.

Find out what part of testing is the hardest for him and find ways to attack that. It'll be of more use in his life than simply improving this score. Even if he doesn't get the numbers to make this class, he'll have a much better life if he can move this rock and open a path to easier reading.
 
Next Generation said:
A friend of ours has a son who is a National Merit Scholar. They paid $700 for an in-person "course" of SAT prep, something like a month of weekends. He scored 800 on each section, and he and his mom attributed his scores to these classes. Others who attended the course with him also qualified as National Merit Scholars. (I can't tell you the exact class, but a quick check online yielded several options. If it is something you'd consider, I can contact her to see if I can get the exact class.)

For some, the face-time with an instructor and other students might be more effective that online or book prep. Just a thought.

Wishing him the best!
Click to expand...
Can you please ask your friend what classes those were. I'm trying to raise my SAT score.
 
Sergtim said:
Next Generation said:
A friend of ours has a son who is a National Merit Scholar. They paid $700 for an in-person "course" of SAT prep, something like a month of weekends. He scored 800 on each section, and he and his mom attributed his scores to these classes. Others who attended the course with him also qualified as National Merit Scholars. (I can't tell you the exact class, but a quick check online yielded several options. If it is something you'd consider, I can contact her to see if I can get the exact class.)

For some, the face-time with an instructor and other students might be more effective that online or book prep. Just a thought.

Wishing him the best!
Click to expand...
Can you please ask your friend what classes those were. I'm trying to raise my SAT score.
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See my above post from September 8, 2017!
 
Sergtim said:
Next Generation said:
A friend of ours has a son who is a National Merit Scholar. They paid $700 for an in-person "course" of SAT prep, something like a month of weekends. He scored 800 on each section, and he and his mom attributed his scores to these classes. Others who attended the course with him also qualified as National Merit Scholars. (I can't tell you the exact class, but a quick check online yielded several options. If it is something you'd consider, I can contact her to see if I can get the exact class.)

For some, the face-time with an instructor and other students might be more effective that online or book prep. Just a thought.

Wishing him the best!
Click to expand...
Can you please ask your friend what classes those were. I'm trying to raise my SAT score.
Click to expand...
One quick interjection. National Merit Scholars are students who finished in the top 5% on the PSAT. These students were going to do well on the SAT regardless of the 700$ course.....
 
OP Here,

Thank you all for the many constructive answers. There were a lot of folks here who really took the time to offer solid ideas on how to overcome this hurdle- I thank you. Regardless of the person who questioned his placement in class (#1) vs. his test scores, DS is incredibly bright- he just hasn't cracked the code of how to play this particular game, for lack of a better term. I agree, he just doesn't understand the strategy of HOW to test properly yet.

We have had a local teacher helping him on Sundays all summer, however, I am not sure that this teacher has helped him understand the strategies of HOW to test more efficiently. He has done practice tests at home and with just a little more time he scores nearly perfectly. I dunno, maybe he's freaking out over perceived time pressures. I think we will have to get him to a larger city and do some specific one-on-one test prep for the tests. I KNOW he can do this, it's just cracking the code.

All of this world is new to us: I built my career up all by myself, no college degree. My husband didn't have to take standardized tests for college when he went- so every bit of this is totally new to us. Because DS has always been a stand out in every other area, we didn't realize how much extra prep he would need for ACT/SAT- we just kind of figured he would sail through it like he has everything else, everything has always come naturally to him. We got the latest score from ACT back yesterday- while it was an improvement over the one he took in June, it still wasn't good enough. It's so frustrating- we spent the money on a tutor, he studied, it's just not good enough. He is signed up for the SAT on 10/7, hopefully that will be more along the lines of his experience. If not, I guess we'll have to figure out how to pay for a year of prep school next year...anyone wanna purchase a gently used kidney?
 
There is a comfort level which is needed to excel on these tests, and taking them as often as possible, and doing practice tests in between along with going over the answers and analysis is extremely helpful, but this still is a test determining how much you know. So working with a math teacher on the types of problems that are in the test is more important than simply learning how to take standardized tests. If you dont know the substance, and how to figure out the answers with accuracy and speed, you wont do well no matter what. This is why many kids do better after they advance in school and have certain classes.

I understand tabbing this as "learning the game", and I wont say that is entirely inaccurate, but it is a knowledge and performance test, and as critical as many are with the ACT/SAT exams being so important in the admissions process for colleges, the fact is that they are probably the single best assessment of success in college because (A) kids need to know the material before they get to college, and (B) they need to be able to perform when they are under the stress of college level exams.
 
brovol said:
There is a comfort level which is needed to excel on these tests, and taking them as often as possible, and doing practice tests in between along with going over the answers and analysis is extremely helpful, but this still is a test determining how much you know. So working with a math teacher on the types of problems that are in the test is more important than simply learning how to take standardized tests. If you dont know the substance, and how to figure out the answers with accuracy and speed, you wont do well no matter what. This is why many kids do better after they advance in school and have certain classes.

I understand tabbing this as "learning the game", and I wont say that is entirely inaccurate, but it is a knowledge and performance test, and as critical as many are with the ACT/SAT exams being so important in the admissions process for colleges, the fact is that they are probably the single best assessment of success in college because (A) kids need to know the material before they get to college, and (B) they need to be able to perform when they are under the stress of college level exams.
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And please note - no one is suggesting you can't/won't be successful in life or that your son is not a great, smart, wonderful person with tremendous leadership skills. The question is - does has he currently have enough academic rigor to be successful at USCGA and will his overall score (whole person score) be enough to put him above the line on who gets appointed.

Admissions and not anyone on this board will make that decision.

Not everyone makes it on the first go for a number of reasons. If the ultimate goal is to get commissioned via USCGA - there are a number of ways to make that happen if not successful the first time through process. DD is at USNA - she has multiple classmates that applied 2-3 times before getting an appointment. There are people on this thread whose child didn't make it on the first go - spent a year (or more) improving on weak areas and obtained appointments.

And good luck with the next SAT.
 
peppypea said:
OP Here,

Thank you all for the many constructive answers. There were a lot of folks here who really took the time to offer solid ideas on how to overcome this hurdle- I thank you. Regardless of the person who questioned his placement in class (#1) vs. his test scores, DS is incredibly bright- he just hasn't cracked the code of how to play this particular game, for lack of a better term. I agree, he just doesn't understand the strategy of HOW to test properly yet.

We have had a local teacher helping him on Sundays all summer, however, I am not sure that this teacher has helped him understand the strategies of HOW to test more efficiently. He has done practice tests at home and with just a little more time he scores nearly perfectly. I dunno, maybe he's freaking out over perceived time pressures. I think we will have to get him to a larger city and do some specific one-on-one test prep for the tests. I KNOW he can do this, it's just cracking the code.

All of this world is new to us: I built my career up all by myself, no college degree. My husband didn't have to take standardized tests for college when he went- so every bit of this is totally new to us. Because DS has always been a stand out in every other area, we didn't realize how much extra prep he would need for ACT/SAT- we just kind of figured he would sail through it like he has everything else, everything has always come naturally to him. We got the latest score from ACT back yesterday- while it was an improvement over the one he took in June, it still wasn't good enough. It's so frustrating- we spent the money on a tutor, he studied, it's just not good enough. He is signed up for the SAT on 10/7, hopefully that will be more along the lines of his experience. If not, I guess we'll have to figure out how to pay for a year of prep school next year...anyone wanna purchase a gently used kidney?
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If you get to a point where you decide that prep school is an option you want to explore, I would suggest that after assessing the cost/benefit/odds of being successful going the prep school route, that you look at Northwestern Prep in CA. The standardized tests are a focus there. I believe my son took the ACT or SAT every time it came up during his time there. In addition, it is only a one semester program so your son could possibly do his second semester at an affordable junior college. Not telling you to give up on this year. :) It just helps to know that there are many avenues toward your son's goals.
 
peppypea said:
OP Here,

Thank you all for the many constructive answers. There were a lot of folks here who really took the time to offer solid ideas on how to overcome this hurdle- I thank you. Regardless of the person who questioned his placement in class (#1) vs. his test scores, DS is incredibly bright- he just hasn't cracked the code of how to play this particular game, for lack of a better term. I agree, he just doesn't understand the strategy of HOW to test properly yet.

We have had a local teacher helping him on Sundays all summer, however, I am not sure that this teacher has helped him understand the strategies of HOW to test more efficiently. He has done practice tests at home and with just a little more time he scores nearly perfectly. I dunno, maybe he's freaking out over perceived time pressures. I think we will have to get him to a larger city and do some specific one-on-one test prep for the tests. I KNOW he can do this, it's just cracking the code.

All of this world is new to us: I built my career up all by myself, no college degree. My husband didn't have to take standardized tests for college when he went- so every bit of this is totally new to us. Because DS has always been a stand out in every other area, we didn't realize how much extra prep he would need for ACT/SAT- we just kind of figured he would sail through it like he has everything else, everything has always come naturally to him. We got the latest score from ACT back yesterday- while it was an improvement over the one he took in June, it still wasn't good enough. It's so frustrating- we spent the money on a tutor, he studied, it's just not good enough. He is signed up for the SAT on 10/7, hopefully that will be more along the lines of his experience. If not, I guess we'll have to figure out how to pay for a year of prep school next year...anyone wanna purchase a gently used kidney?
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Go ahead and apply and see what happens! DS was offered a scholars program appointment by USCGA so his prep school is paid for.
 
I would get him to a test taking class. it's not so much content knowledge, but how to take the test efficiently.
 
I agree with the posters who said to get an ACT test book and go through as many tests as you can TIMED to get your test taking speed up. At the beginning of the books they will list test taking strategies specifically for these tests. Another thing that helps is to utilize the many online apps that help you with speed reading and comprehension. Also khan academy is great for the SAT because it links your PSAT test and is adaptive. I did all these things to boost my ACT/SAT scores because I initially had issues with timing as well.
 
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One more thing....I took an ACT class but it did not help me as much as just taking many TIMED tests in the ACT/SAT books. There were varying levels of students in my ACT class and the pace was too slow for me and covered more basic levels of material. Once I started practicing many problems in the books on my own is when my scores improved.
 
peppypea said:
My DS is everything any of the academies would want: bright, born leader, elected leader, volunteers, swimmer, outgoing, the list goes on and on and on. Academically he is #1 in his class (sometimes #2- he keeps vying with one girl!) Unfortunately, we are from a very small very rural school district- he will graduate in a class less than 70 people. We are also from a state with very poor education standards and opportunities. While he pushes himself to take the most challenging classes, he's kind of run out of classes he can take to be challenging. (I hope all of that made sense.)

At this point, the biggest problem we have is those darn standardized tests. If he has all the time he needs, he scores amazing. Once he's timed, he's about 4 minutes short per test- which leaves him with an average ACT score of 22- not strong enough. What suggestions do you have to help him get faster, to be better? I KNOW he can do it, but the pressure and stress of being able to get this done properly is making him feel even worse- giving even more test anxiety. *sigh.

Any advice or help will be greatly appreciated. Thank you for listening, for your time,
mama bear.
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The best thing you can do is to find someone willing to help tutor him or get him one of those ACT study books. There are resources online everywhere that he can take advantage of. The key is practice, practice, practice. This is not an exam that you can cram for. You must look the material over well in advance.
 
USAFMitch20 said:
peppypea said:
My DS is everything any of the academies would want: bright, born leader, elected leader, volunteers, swimmer, outgoing, the list goes on and on and on. Academically he is #1 in his class (sometimes #2- he keeps vying with one girl!) Unfortunately, we are from a very small very rural school district- he will graduate in a class less than 70 people. We are also from a state with very poor education standards and opportunities. While he pushes himself to take the most challenging classes, he's kind of run out of classes he can take to be challenging. (I hope all of that made sense.)

At this point, the biggest problem we have is those darn standardized tests. If he has all the time he needs, he scores amazing. Once he's timed, he's about 4 minutes short per test- which leaves him with an average ACT score of 22- not strong enough. What suggestions do you have to help him get faster, to be better? I KNOW he can do it, but the pressure and stress of being able to get this done properly is making him feel even worse- giving even more test anxiety. *sigh.

Any advice or help will be greatly appreciated. Thank you for listening, for your time,
mama bear.
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The best thing you can do is to find someone willing to help tutor him or get him one of those ACT study books. There are resources online everywhere that he can take advantage of. The key is practice, practice, practice. This is not an exam that you can cram for. You must look the material over well in advance.
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Thank you- in the end, we have found that the ACT hasn't been the right test for him. The SAT, without even studying, yielded much better results than the ACT did for him. We had gotten a tutor for the ACT over the summer and even then, his scores only went up minimally. I encouraged him to just *try* the SAT (which he did 2 weeks ago) and he got more than just the minimums (though he still wants higher.) As of last Sunday I have him enrolled in a big fat prep course over the next 5 weeks (6 weeks total.) With his most recent success with the SAT AND the prep course, I fully anticipate he will easily be in the 1400's for the 12/2 test- just in time for application deadlines.
 
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