A Recap of Our Last Webinar
In their webinar two weeks ago, Jack and Larry dove into the importance of standardized testing for college admissions, provided updates on the latest ACT and SAT patterns, and shared tips for strategic test prep. Here’s a recap of the key points covered during their informative session:
Larry emphasized that standardized testing remains a critical rite of passage for students on their college admissions journey. Historically, when these tests were required, there was a strong correlation between student test scores and their first-year college grades, which further supports their value.
Standardized tests, combined with a strong GPA and heavy involvement in school activities, help predict student success on campus. This is particularly important for students attending schools with grade inflation or deflation, where standardized test scores provide an additional layer of academic consistency.
Larry highlighted trends from recent exams, focusing on both the math and English sections of the ACT and SAT:
Math Section: The latest exams place a significant emphasis on algebra, with problems related to lines, graphs, slopes, and systems of equations. Interestingly, they found that a student who is strong in algebra but weaker in trigonometry and geometry can still achieve a score of 680 or above.
English Section: Vocabulary is playing an increasingly larger role. If students perform well in the first module, they face a more challenging second module, which includes poetry and passages with older English. The adaptive nature of the test presents harder material based on initial performance, but it’s not the vocabulary itself that challenges students- it's often the complex syntax and linguistic structure of the passages.
With the digital shift, there will soon be four different versions of the ACT and SAT that students can take. Larry recommends aiming for either the second or fourth version, depending on goals:
Version 4: The most comprehensive version, ideal for competitive applicants.
Version 2: The most familiar with admissions officers and still a solid choice.
When discussing the optimal time to begin test prep, Jack and Larry recommend starting in sophomore fall, once students have completed Algebra I.
For most students, the prime period to see score improvements spans 6 - 9 months of prep. Beyond the 9 - month mark, gains tend to slow as students enter a consolidation phase.
Jack stressed the importance of balancing test prep with crafting your personal "story" for college admissions. Your story is about who you are and what you’re likely to pursue in college - not necessarily a specific major, but an area of interest. Aligning your activities and passion projects with that story is crucial, and finding something you’re genuinely interested in helps reduce the stress of this process.
Jack and Larry’s webinar provided many valuable insights into the evolving landscape of standardized testing and its continued relevance in the college admissions process.
Their advice on timing, strategy, and preparation gives students a clear path to success, not just in testing but in crafting a compelling application narrative.
I recommend you look out for webinars in the future to guide your college admissions process. If you or your child would benefit from personalized support, set up a call here.
Best of luck,
Melina Kazanas
P.S. - Have a high-performing high schooler w/ a 3.7 GPA or higher? We'll help get them into at least one of their top 5 dream colleges...and if we don't get them into at least one of their top 5 dream colleges, you don't pay us a penny. Seriously. College admissions isn't rocket science...but it is a science. And we've cracked the code...year, after year, after year. You can learn more about our world renowned all-inclusive, start-to-finish college coaching here and to see if your family qualifies for an introductory call.
P.P.S - Our most common question is "When should we start?!" The answer is, if you truly care about giving your high schooler the best chance of college planning success, you should start NOW. 9th grade is not too early to start! 10th grade is certainly not too early to start! And 11th grade is far, far too late! (supporting data here to show just how much of an advantage you give your child by starting the process early).
