High school can be stressful…and we’re not even talking about peer pressure or raising teens. Turns out, it’s no easy task preparing your children for adulthood. Especially when it is time for the dreaded “S” word—the SATs. Many of us still remember the awful exam from our own childhood and some of us still have nightmares that we filled out our name incorrectly or forgot to complete a section. So it’s never too early to start thinking about SAT preparation.
The Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) is a standardized test that college-bound kids take to measure their readiness for college. Scores are used primarily by College Admissions Boards, which means (you guessed it) it’s a big freakin’ deal. Is it a perfect system? Of course not. Who’s to say that how you perform on one exam should determine your worth to a university. But according to Kathryn Juric, vice president of the College Board’s SAT Program, “The SAT gives students the opportunity to demonstrate their college-preparedness despite inconsistent grading systems throughout the nation’s high schools.” In short, the SATs play a big role in determining your kid’s secondary education path, so if you want to make sure your child is ready for college, make sure your child (and you) are ready for the SATs. Here are 15 SAT preparation tips to get your kids college ready.
1. Help keep your child calm about the SATs.
Most people do not perform well under pressure. You can’t just teach your child to prepare for the exam questions, you also have to prepare them for the pressure. It’s easier said than done, but you can start by reassuring them that you’ll love them no matter what, that you are proud of them and you believe in them. Then share some tips on how you calm down when you are stressed.
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