How to improve SAT scores and reach vs out of reach ???

[Jen500]

My boys (11th grade) got their SAT scores and they are good, but not good enough for their 'dream/reach' colleges.

I have 2 questions-

What can they specifically do to improve their SAT scores when what they have is in the 740-770 range? Previously they went through the Collegeboard study guide and did some practice tests.

 

And then--they are looking for colleges that are Reach, Match, Safety, but how do you decide if a school is ok for a Reach school vs forget-about-it-don't-bother. If the acceptance rate is very very low and SAT scores aren the lower part of the 50th % would that be an out of reach school ? Because it seems like that to me. (I know there's more to it than SAT scores)

[Pen]

If there is a school that they very, very much want to go to, and feel they could do well at if they could get in, then I would say they should go ahead and apply even if their scores are on the low side and acceptance rate is low...just realize that the chances of getting in would be small. If they are twins and it would be a problem for one to get in and the other not, you/they may need to consider that also.  If you had said their scores are in the 440-470 range, I'd say don't bother, but 740-770 is quite good and I'd not eliminate first choice options just because they are long-shots.

 

More practice tests, and possibly a test prep guide or class might help. Where are the weak points where they missed questions or was it dispersed evenly?

[Classic Mom]

I recommend Rob at Reason Prep. My daughter's scores went up 200 points after tutoring with Rob.  His test strategies are good, and he provides tons of practice material.  He really helped her move from missing 4-5 questions on a section to missing 0-1, which seems to be where your kids need to focus.

 

[learners4life]

Some schools are reach schools to almost every student - Stanford for example.  They are jokingly called "lottery schools" for a reason.  That doesn't mean your sons shouldn't apply to such a school if that is where they really want to go. They are only juniors. And if 770 is their math score, that is already very good.  I'm willing to bet that their scores go up after another year of math class.  Are they in pre-calc or calculus? The math done in these classes, while technically not covered on the SAT, requires the knowledge of the type of math that is.  Review geometry and trig separately before they retake the exam, and enjoy their junior year.    

[charlotteb]

My daughter used Khan Academy's SAT practice site and her scores improved dramatically from one year to the next! They have daily practice as well as full length practice tests. 

 

You can also request a score report from College board that lets you see all the questions and answers from your last SAT Test. I believe it costs around $30.   So you can see exactly what you struggled with and learn it before next time. 

Edited October 27, 2016 by charlotteb

[Pen]

Ummm...  Did you mean that they got around 740 and 770 for each part of SAT, or did you mean that they got in that range for combined score. I had thought you meant that math was either 740 or 770, and verbal the other, but then thinking about it, I realized that you might have meant the total adding up both was only in the 700's. Or that one boy got 740 total and the other got 770 total.  If you meant totals, then unless they do way, way better on another try at SAT, I would give up on any school in the Stanford type range.  If my original understanding is correct, then I'd not write off long shot type schools.

[Jen500]

Ummm...  Did you mean that they got around 740 and 770 for each part of SAT, or did you mean that they got in that range for combined score. I had thought you meant that math was either 740 or 770, and verbal the other, but then thinking about it, I realized that you might have meant the total adding up both was only in the 700's. Or that one boy got 740 total and the other got 770 total.  If you meant totals, then unless they do way, way better on another try at SAT, I would give up on any school in the Stanford type range.  If my original understanding is correct, then I'd not write off long shot type schools.

Sorry for the confusion- one ds had 750/740, the other 770/740. They go to ps so I'll have to wait until they log into their accounts again to get more detailed info. I've been thinking about the twin issue that you mentioned earlier and I realized that although they have very similar interests for college, they seem to be choosing different schools (except for one school) and I think I'll make sure they're not 'dividing' up school between them. i don't know that that's a good idea.

[Maryam]

For the English sections Erica Meltzer's books are great. And for math, Steve Warner's series seem very good.

[FaithManor]

Well accept for Stanford and the Ivies, I would think that somewhere like U of Michigan or William and Mary, etx. are not at all out of reach. Just understand that except for say state flagships like MSU, U of Alabama, the more top public and privates are looking at a variety of factors. They may be looking at diversity, filling certain majors or departments, getting another oboe player, etc. It can be wonky. Safeties are those with really high acceptance rates. Middles, even if your student would be in the top 25%, could be for some weird reason a rejection...like too many good students from your zip code applied. Happens to Rochester and Bloomfiled Hills, and Ann Arbor kids here in Michigan when applying to U of MI and MSU kind of frequently.

But with those scores I do think that if their aren't any glaring dings on the application, there will a lot of options, plenty to choose from.

Edited October 28, 2016 by FaithManor

[GoodGrief]

I wouldn't say that any school is out of reach with those scores (I've got a daughter at one of those high reach schools). The scores are just one part of the application package.

 

My daughter used Prep Scholar, though I'm not sure if they are still in business. She was a "one and done", so I can't speak to how the service might improve scores. At one time they offered a money back guarantee.

 

Another daughter had great success improving her score with a local prep service. However, she was not a natural tester, and there was much room for improvement. In your case...your sons' scores are really pretty good!

[daijobu]

I may be out of touch, but I thought those were pretty decent scores.  If your student wants to attend a name school, you need to think about what your student can do to really shine and impress those adcoms.  A reasonable SAT score is fine, but not enough to get in.