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It is not too early to start thinking about the SAT Readiness opportunities that will be available early 2010. SAT Prep Classes Math and Verbal SAT Prep classes will be offered again beginning the week of February 1, 2010. Math will be offered on Mondays (2:45 - 4:45 early session and 5:00 - 7:00 late session) and Verbal will be offered on Thursdays (2:45 - 4:45 early session and 5:00 - 7:00 late session). There are 6 weeks of classes (skipping the week of mid-winter break when there are no classes). These are a great opportunity to brush up on your SAT skills just in time for the spring SAT testing season. The math classes are taught by Ms. Crain and Ms. Dean and Ms. Jarvinen teach the verbal class. I don't believe that you will find more economical SAT Prep classes offered anywhere else and these are conveniently offered right here at school. Cost is $85 for math, $100 for verbal and $150 for both classes. The textbook is the College Board SAT prep book. Classes were scheduled to try to make the most of the short time between winter and spring sports. Even if you can't make every class, it is still a great deal! The next opportunity to take these classes offered at Issaquah HS will be Fall 2010.
Mock Exams
We will be offering two Mock exams to get you prepared for the spring testing season. The Mock SAT will be offered on Saturday, January 30 (8:00 - 1:00) and the Mock ACT will be offered on Saturday, February 6 (8:00 - 1:00). Cost is $25 / test. The tests are administered by Kaplan and are a great opportunity to take a risk free test before you take the real one. We will also offer take home exams for those students that can't make the test date. The score feedback session for both tests will be on Thursday, February 11 at 7 pm.
Mock SAT: For those who took the PSAT in October and are wondering what is the difference between the PSAT and the Mock SAT: The mock SAT is great practice for the real SAT because the mock test is the same length as the SAT and includes the writing section. The PSAT is a shorter exam and does not include the essay. I have often heard it said that the SAT is an endurance test and the mock SAT is the best way to practice for the real full length exam. Check out the SAT question of the day at www.collegeboard.com.
Mock ACT: Many students perform better on the ACT than on the SAT and it is worthwhile to give the ACT a try. The ACT test is different from the SAT and is said to measure better what students actually learn in school and it is also supposed to be less "tricky" than the SAT. If you want to get a sense of how you might do on the ACT, then take this risk free mock exam and see for yourself. Check out sample problems at www.actstudent.org.
Take home exams: For those students who are not available on the Mock Exam dates, we will offer the take home option again. You can take the test at your leisure and return it to Kaplan for grading. Sign up online for the take home option. The test will be made available for pick up in the counseling office after the Mock exam date for you to pick up and return to Kaplan.
You can sign up and pay online for the SAT Prep classes and the Mock Exams at www.issaquahhighptsa.org. Hard copies of the registration will be available in January 2010 at the website and in the counselor's office.
If you have any questions, please call Blythe Meigs at 425-401-1508 or e-mail SATReadyIHS@hotmail.com SAT Readiness Program.
PSAT/NMSQT vs. SAT vs. ACT?? Mock SAT/ACT Exams SAT Practice from the College Board ACT Practice Tests SAT Readiness Classes The College Board has approved an important change to the current SAT score-reporting policy. To read about the specific changes, go to SAT Score Reporting. For some information on the difference between SAT and ACT, view: ACT v SAT Score Conversion ACT v SAT Score Comparison ACT v SAT Test Differences For more information, please contact Blythe Meigs, the SAT/ACT Readiness Program Chair.
SAT/ACT Tests – the REAL thing: Parents of juniors should be aware that there are limited seats for SAT and ACT testing in our area. Early registration for desired test dates is suggested to avoid extra driving to more distant locations.
Also try these helpful links: For info on the SAT go to www.collegeboard.com. For info on the ACT try www.act.org. Or for a more impartial look at the two entrance exams try www.kaplan.com and/or www.princetonreview.com.