How soon do you start helping your student prepare for the SAT and/or ACT? I have one friend who is starting her daughter's preparation during her 8th grade year. But I notice Marcia's vocabulary preparation seems to be directed mostly toward rhetoric level students. If I start my dc as freshmen, they will have two full years before they have to take the PSAT (in the fall of their junior year). Is that enough?

What materials have you found most helpful? I know there is a whole gamut of materials available, including everything from James Stobaugh's SAT prep course to a computer curriculum that HSLDA has been distributing. I figured that for the essay practice, the Writing Aids information and LOTS of practice writing essays is probably the best way to go, but what about the rest of the test?

I am so glad that others have gone this way before me. . .
Thanks in advance!
Michelle

Bumping.
Any takers on this one?
Michelle

One recommendation - Vocabulary Through Classical Roots. I use it for 2-3 years starting in 7th grade. It has really helped build vocabulary.

We used Learning Express -- Math SAT and Writing SAT helpers. We just went and bought it at Borders. It seemed a little more doable than the huge big book....we used the big book the first time around and those books the second.

The best way to build vocabulary is through extensive reading of good books (not textbooks, since they have a controlled vocabulary level), and that's one of the things that you're already doing with Tapestry.

I'm not saying that you shouldn't supplement with specific vocabulary practice or other preparation, but I couldn't stand to let this perspective go unexpressed!

Do be sure that you're not preparing for the SAT that we remember, since the format has changed substantially in recent years.

We are preparing for the ACT. I'm learning as I go. My son is a junior this year. We are using the Real ACT Prep Guide. It has three actual ACT tests and is published by the test makers. I'm faciliating a co-op ACT practice class. Each week we study and practice taking one part of the test (35-60 min for the test). Here is what I've learned and will do differently with my other kids.
--Take the test at the close of sophomore year or beginning of junior year. We missed possible scholarships this spring because we don't already have ACT scores on file at our local university. You also have enough time to pump up studies in a particular subject if it is weak.
--I like the Barron's ACT guide the best out of the four I've examined because it has the best review and practice immediately following, esp. for English and Math. I plan to have my boys work weekly on the review sections starting in 9th grade.
---Take it at least twice
---Practice in a similar setting
--Check the possible colleges to see what tests they prefer.
--Take the PSAT in October of the junior year. Make arrangements with a local school in May or June when schools are ordering the tests for the fall. The PSAT website has a list of schools that are available for homeschoolers. Students may take the test in 9th or 10th, but the scores from the junior year are the ones that they use for National Merit Scholarships Competition.
A couple of differences between SAT and ACT:
ACT is more about thinking skills
ACT doesn't require as many vocabulary words memorized
SAT requires the writing test, ACT Writing is optional
ACT includes Science--mostly graphs and charts, Science classes help, but are not required
Hope this helps.
Charlotte

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