If you have a high school student, then you are probably well aware of the fact that SAT time is right around the corner. For many years now, the SAT has inflicted millions of high schoolers with a bad case of the test taking jitters, and today’s kids are no different. Fortunately, there are some things you can do as a parent to ease your child’s tensions. Here is a guide to helping your high school student prepare for the first round of SATs:
Start in advance. The SAT is a test that you simply cannot cram for – no ifs, ands, or buts. Therefore, you should make it a point to initiate a regular study time long before the arrival of the big day. This helps reinforce pertinent information so that it comes up naturally when it’s time to sit for the test.
Study resources. When it comes to studying for the SAT, there is no shortage of study material to help your high schooler get comfortable with the test. Whether your child is most comfortable learning with visuals, through listening, or by way of active engagement (writing, for example), a quick search of the Internet will return an endless variety of study resources suited for all types of learners, at all grade levels.
Before the test. There is a right way and a wrong way to go into such an important examination. Make sure your child gets a good night sleep the night before, and that you serve a well-balanced breakfast the morning of in order to get those brain juices flowing. Also, encourage your teenager to take some quiet time for meditation or relaxation right before sitting for the test, in order to clear the mind and ease the nerves for maximum concentration.
Put things into perspective. Not everyone tests well, and the first time of sitting for the SAT can be all the more nerve-racking due to the fact that your child doesn’t know what to expect. Help take some pressure off by putting things into perspective in this way, and by reminding your high schooler that, if things don’t go as well as you’d hoped, it is always possible to sit for the exam again. As a matter of fact, most high schoolers end up sitting for the exam more than once before they get a score they’re satisfied with.
Preparing to take the SAT is not necessarily fun or easy, but it certainly doesn’t have to be a source of stress. Help your high school child prepare for the SAT by following these practical tips.
About the Author: Rivka Monigold took the SAT exam 3 times before graduating high school. He worked with a group of Beverly Hills tutors and spent a lot of time studying at home in order to get the best scores possible. Plan in advance and you’ll do fine.
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