Here's the part where I tell you how all this came to be. If that's the kind of thing that interests you, pull up a chair and pour some coffee.
As a young high school student back in 2010 and 2011, a
few wonderful people happened into my life. One of those lovely folks was
Dr. Debbie Reeves, a chemistry teacher who also taught an ACT strategy
class. After I took that ACT, she mentioned that I might want to try the
SAT. Since colleges consider the SAT the exact same way as the ACT, I
decided to try. Fall of junior year, I started practicing. I
noticed that SAT practice seemed way less terrible than ACT practice.
That October, I took my very first SAT. A few weeks later, the scores arrived. I was absolutely shocked to find that I had achieved scores that qualified me for Auburn University's top-tier ACT or SAT-based freshman scholarship. Here's the catch. I prepared the exact same way for both the ACT and the SAT. I did NOTHING differently. The only difference was that I just preferred the way the SAT works. (I have friends who have had the exact opposite experience. The only way to really know what test works best for you is to take both or at least practice intensely for both and score your practice tests.)
The same October of my junior year, I took the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. That sounds backwards, doesn't it? Taking the SAT before the Preliminary SAT? Considering the considerable importance of the PSAT/NMSQT, it makes sense to study for the SAT and the PSAT close together. The tests are almost exactly the same. The PSAT/NMSQT is slightly easier. Since the PSAT/NMSQT only matters for students to qualify for National Merit in 11th grade, and since National Merit Finalists receive the largest academic scholarship Auburn University has to offer, it makes sense to study as much as possible for the 11th grade PSAT/NMSQT. I studied for (and took) the SAT in October of my junior year primarily to study for the PSAT/NMSQT that I also took in October of my junior year. (The PSAT is ONLY offered in October, and it ONLY counts for National Merit during junior year.) The practice and strategizing paid off: I'm currently a National Merit Finalist.
It took some serious effort on my part and on the part of teacher friends to make all of this information fall into my lap. For a while, I thought that maybe my lack of awareness about college entrance exams was due to the fact that I'm homeschooled, and therefore don't have easy access to some of the resources available to public schooled students.
I was wrong.
I met a new friend from Auburn High School who didn't know Auburn University offered academic scholarships.
I was shocked that only a small fraction of students in our area even try to take an SAT, with the rest shortchanging themselves of the opportunity to raise their scores by trying a test that might work better for their style of thinking.
And to top off my exasperation, I had this conversation with a very intelligent friend who doesn't think he tests well:
him: How much is tuition at Auburn?
me: Free, if you can get a 30 on your ACT or a 1330 on your SAT.
him: Not for me.
Don't do that to yourself. Don't give up.
Don't shortchange yourself. From the bottom of my heart, try. Give yourself a fighting chance.
I think you'll be surprised.
Best of everything,
Katie Kirk
P. S. If you have thoughts, questions, or comments, I would love to hear them! If you'd just like to say hi or need encouragement to continue on with your practice tests, email me. This is my contact page. Even after the bulk of the project's work is in someone else's hands, I still want to hear what you have to say.
That October, I took my very first SAT. A few weeks later, the scores arrived. I was absolutely shocked to find that I had achieved scores that qualified me for Auburn University's top-tier ACT or SAT-based freshman scholarship. Here's the catch. I prepared the exact same way for both the ACT and the SAT. I did NOTHING differently. The only difference was that I just preferred the way the SAT works. (I have friends who have had the exact opposite experience. The only way to really know what test works best for you is to take both or at least practice intensely for both and score your practice tests.)
The same October of my junior year, I took the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. That sounds backwards, doesn't it? Taking the SAT before the Preliminary SAT? Considering the considerable importance of the PSAT/NMSQT, it makes sense to study for the SAT and the PSAT close together. The tests are almost exactly the same. The PSAT/NMSQT is slightly easier. Since the PSAT/NMSQT only matters for students to qualify for National Merit in 11th grade, and since National Merit Finalists receive the largest academic scholarship Auburn University has to offer, it makes sense to study as much as possible for the 11th grade PSAT/NMSQT. I studied for (and took) the SAT in October of my junior year primarily to study for the PSAT/NMSQT that I also took in October of my junior year. (The PSAT is ONLY offered in October, and it ONLY counts for National Merit during junior year.) The practice and strategizing paid off: I'm currently a National Merit Finalist.
It took some serious effort on my part and on the part of teacher friends to make all of this information fall into my lap. For a while, I thought that maybe my lack of awareness about college entrance exams was due to the fact that I'm homeschooled, and therefore don't have easy access to some of the resources available to public schooled students.
I was wrong.
I met a new friend from Auburn High School who didn't know Auburn University offered academic scholarships.
I was shocked that only a small fraction of students in our area even try to take an SAT, with the rest shortchanging themselves of the opportunity to raise their scores by trying a test that might work better for their style of thinking.
And to top off my exasperation, I had this conversation with a very intelligent friend who doesn't think he tests well:
him: How much is tuition at Auburn?
me: Free, if you can get a 30 on your ACT or a 1330 on your SAT.
him: Not for me.
Don't do that to yourself. Don't give up.
Don't shortchange yourself. From the bottom of my heart, try. Give yourself a fighting chance.
I think you'll be surprised.
Best of everything,
Katie Kirk
P. S. If you have thoughts, questions, or comments, I would love to hear them! If you'd just like to say hi or need encouragement to continue on with your practice tests, email me. This is my contact page. Even after the bulk of the project's work is in someone else's hands, I still want to hear what you have to say.