Favorite SAT, ACT, AP type prep. books, DVD's etc. for dyslexia/dysgraphia?

[Pen]

If you are at the stage to be working on college exam preparation, or have already done so in past, what have been the best (or also what to avoid) for these sorts of tests and test preparation materials? Also, if a choice between SAT and ACT, which has been better with dyslexia situation--and why?

 

I gather the SAT will be dropping the essay part--what about the ACT?

 

My ds likes to have DVD input, but the reviews I saw on Amazon of the things with DVD did not seem to speak favorably of them. Still that might be different when it is a dyslexia situation.

 

Also, it is still very early to be thinking about this, but what about  SAT subject tests? Are any better for dyslexics than others?

 

APs? Have you had dyslexic/dysgraphic students take these and if so which and how did it go?

 

[OneStepAtATime]

:lurk5:

[Heathermomster]

I just purchased a box of Barron's ACT flash cards because DS will be taking the PLAN this year; however, I wouldn't describe those as the best or anything as this is our first go around. I am more concerned about accommodations. DS retakes NP testing mid-August and we may not get accommodated paperwork approvals in time for testing this year.

 

My local friends tell me ACT is better for dyslexics. ETA: But who knows really? My DS does very well on standardized tests...or at least, he has thus far.

[Guest2]

DD is taking course through Test Masters . I am not associated with Test Masters, nor can I at this time reccomend it as we have not gone through the process completely yet. She does better with classes , vs. print and DVDs. So far, she is enjoying it, but will see over time if there is much improvement. She has not taken many tests, and standardized tests are very difficult for her. We are hoping that the class in combination with taking practice tests weekly and tutoring will help. Most of the kids in this class are trying for a perfect score, but DD is looking for a score for admittance. They don't offer DVDs , but do have an online class I think.

[Pen]

I just purchased a box of Barron's ACT flash cards because DS will be taking the PLAN this year; however, I wouldn't describe those as the best or anything as this is our first go around. I am more concerned about accommodations. DS retakes NP testing mid-August and we may not get accommodated paperwork approvals in time for testing this year.

 

My local friends tell me ACT is better for dyslexics. ETA: But who knows really? My DS does very well on standardized tests...or at least, he has thus far.

 

Flash cards could be interesting since they might be less overwhelming seeming than one of those huge prep books...  are they question on front answer on back only? or do they have explanations too?  

 

 

What is the timeframe for testing to accommodations?

 

Last testing we did (3rd grade), I was told would be too old by the time pre- college testing came around--when should it be done to be not too old, and also not too close to deadlines?

 

It will be harder this time to document I think, because he clearly seems to still be dyslexic, and yet his reading has gotten quite good. Not sure that will be picked up on easily so finding a good evaluator is going to be a new job too.

 

Also, I don't think he will want someone to read to him because it makes him anxious...more time would likely help in general...except that then he runs into low blood sugar and other issues like that.

 

 I wish they would give these tests like they did his OAKS a couple of years ago where everyone got plenty of time and could take breaks as needed...it just seemed so much more reasonable and less stressful for everyone--or at least for the kids taking it.

[Heathermomster]

Flash cards could be interesting since they might be less overwhelming seeming than one of those huge prep books...  are they question on front answer on back only? or do they have explanations too?  

 

 

What is the timeframe for testing to accommodations?

 

Last testing we did (3rd grade), I was told would be too old by the time pre- college testing came around--when should it be done to be not too old, and also not too close to deadlines?

 

It will be harder this time to document I think, because he clearly seems to still be dyslexic, and yet his reading has gotten quite good. Not sure that will be picked up on easily so finding a good evaluator is going to be a new job too.

 

Also, I don't think he will want someone to read to him because it makes him anxious...more time would likely help in general...except that then he runs into low blood sugar and other issues like that.

 

 I wish they would give these tests like they did his OAKS a couple of years ago where everyone got plenty of time and could take breaks as needed...it just seemed so much more reasonable and less stressful for everyone--or at least for the kids taking it.

The ACT cards are broken down into several sections and include English, math, science, and writing.  Each section contains strategy cards and questions.  For example, the front of English Strategy card 6 reads, "The ACT uses four methods to separate two complete sentences."

 

Flip the card over and the four methods are provided.  The strategies are actionable methods that you could purposefully include in daily study.

 

The remaining cards contain a question on the front with the answer and full explanation of that answer on the back.  The cards are numbered as well so you can keep up with what has been covered.

 

Testing for accommodations must be less than 3 years.  My son doesn't need the test to be read aloud.  He requires extra time, the ability to write directly on the answer sheet, typing, and a calculator.

 

This will be son's third go around with NP testing.  His ex-butt hole school would not accommodate without an up to date report.  Anyhoo...during the pre-6th grade testing, I fully expected DS to be cleared of the dyslexia, but the testing only served to confirm the previous diagnosis.  I was worried too about the dysgraphia diagnosis because the new NP seemed so skeptical initially.   Again, the dysgraphia diagnosis was confirmed.

 

As I type all this and consider the expense, I almost think DH and I should just accept that DS will enter a 4 year university as a CC transfer.  There is no shame in that.  I cannot rest though knowing all options were not attempted with some vigor.

 

About AP, I was told College Board accommodations apply to all AP testing.

 

ETA:  A friend's DD has Celiac's disease and requires food during testing.  The student received accommodations which allowed her food during testing.

[Pen]

Heathermomster,

 

Are your flashcards the ones by Patsy Prince or the ones by James Giovanni? Are you still liking them?

[Heathermomster]

I purchased this.  I haven't formed a strong opinion either way.  Our school year just started and we are taking a road trip this weekend.  I expect to dig into them as we travel.

 

I haven't studied any ACT prep books to make a comparison.  I just liked the reviews I read and the no nonsense of the cards.

[SandyKC]

The main benefit of ACT over SAT comes for kids who are good at science / logic.  The ACT has a Science section, but the SAT does not. Therefore, for a student who is fabulous at science, it can really help the ACT composite score if the student does well on the science section. 

As an example, my DS scored one point below PERFECT on the ACT science section.  It really helped balance out his lower score in reading due to his dyslexia.  That gave him a great composite score, which allowed him to get an Honor's scholarship going into college.

 

It's important too, as preparation, to heavily consider the neuropsychological evaluation process.  As Heathermomster said, the evaluation must be less than 3 years old to be considered "current."  We timed our boys' evals to be done in the spring of their 10th grade year.  That way the evals were viable for their ACT/SAT exams AND they were still valid going into college so they could get accommodations there.

 

Don't worry too much about your son's dyslexia being remediated.  My DS could read well above grade level, but the NP testing showed it was still labor-intensive for him, took him longer than typical people, and he qualified for accommodations.  For the ACT he got testing over multiple days, extended time, a reader, and marking his answers in the book instead of on an answer sheet.

 

Accommodations on the ACT or SAT take a good 6-8 weeks to get if your request is granted the FIRST time through.  If you have to appeal, you would need twice that amount of time.  

 

Having a neuropsychological evaluation can take several months to schedule, and a month to get back the written results (which are needed to file for accommodations).  

 

Therefore, I'd highly recommend starting the evaluation process at least six months before your child will take the ACT or SAT.   Getting the needed signatures when you file for accommodations can take time too, so you'd want to start that process as soon as you have your neuropsych report.  

 

We found the ACT folks a lot easier to work with than the SAT people.  They were also more generous with the accommodations given our documentation. 

 

For practice, we used REA's ACT Prep with timed practice CDs -  http://www.amazon.com/ACT-Assessment-5th-Ed-CD-ROM/dp/0738600733/  We liked them as far as practice books go.  We had a couple of others we didn't care for.

 

Hope that helps!

[Pen]

Yes, it helps a lot!  I think what you say about science would apply to my ds too. Though maybe I will get at least a little also for the SAT and see which he seems to do better with in practice materials. He is strong in reading comprehension and vocabulary...just slow.

 

Do you recall what the prep materials you did not like were?

 

Some others that I am considering are a Kaplan ACT prep. book with DVD, and a Barron's book that has something about getting a 36 on the ACT in its title-- I found both in the Rainbow Resource catalog. So, especially if either of those sound like what you did not care for, that would be helpful to know.

[SandyKC]

We didn't have an Kaplan books, so it wasn't that one.  We had a Barron's book and an "Official" book.  One of those was okay-ish, and the other neither of my guys would use.   We had bought our books used from someone else, so they were older editions.  Whichever we didn't like might be better these days.  I do know someone who used a Kaplan prep book and really liked it--did well on the test too.  

[Pen]

The ACT cards are broken down into several sections and include English, math, science, and writing.  Each section contains strategy cards and questions.  For example, the front of English Strategy card 6 reads, "The ACT uses four methods to separate two complete sentences."

 

Flip the card over and the four methods are provided.  The strategies are actionable methods that you could purposefully include in daily study.

 

The remaining cards contain a question on the front with the answer and full explanation of that answer on the back.  The cards are numbered as well so you can keep up with what has been covered.

 

Testing for accommodations must be less than 3 years.  My son doesn't need the test to be read aloud.  He requires extra time, the ability to write directly on the answer sheet, typing, and a calculator.

 

This will be son's third go around with NP testing.  His ex-butt hole school would not accommodate without an up to date report.  Anyhoo...during the pre-6th grade testing, I fully expected DS to be cleared of the dyslexia, but the testing only served to confirm the previous diagnosis.  I was worried too about the dysgraphia diagnosis because the new NP seemed so skeptical initially.   Again, the dysgraphia diagnosis was confirmed.

 

As I type all this and consider the expense, I almost think DH and I should just accept that DS will enter a 4 year university as a CC transfer.  There is no shame in that.  I cannot rest though knowing all options were not attempted with some vigor.

 

About AP, I was told College Board accommodations apply to all AP testing.

 

ETA:  A friend's DD has Celiac's disease and requires food during testing.  The student received accommodations which allowed her food during testing.

 

I ordered the book Sandy suggested and the cards above. So far only the cards have come. I thought the writing was awfully small, but ds says it is fine. So far all he did was look them over for typeface and size etc, and declared them readable, but with dyslexia, that is a big deal. We are on a school break right now and he won't actually try using them till we start in again.

 

Some of the ideas like being able to write directly on the answer sheet, and to be able to type essay part would help him a lot. It looks like everybody gets to use a calculator on the math part and like a calculator would not help much on the science part.

 

It is another thread, but for a calculator I got a larger screen version of the one you linked. I thought a larger text box with more lines visible might help him.