ACT/SAT

We took a similar approach and son took both and then focused on ACT which he did better on.  A 24 will keep most recruiters interested other than for high academic or very selective schools.  Obviously higher is better but a 24 for a 2022 is worth mentioning.  You can look up the average test scores for the colleges he is interested in and see where a 24 would fall within all admitted students.  That will give you a good feel for where you need to be when it comes time to select a school.  FYI Average nationwide is 21 and in Florida 20.1 

He should have taken the pre-SAT by now, perhaps twice.  That should give him a flavor for how the test compares to the ACT.  Although the pre-SAT is not identical in content it is similar in form and substance to the SAT.

My son 2022 just took the ACT, we expect him to do very well on the reading and optional writing sections as he has already taken AP courses at the level the test is geared to in those subjects.  He is just now taking Algebra 2 and the test included all of the Algebra 2 content to the end of the course so we expect him to be a little lower in that area.  With ability to retake only the specific section you want to improve starting in October of 2020, he will focus and get tutoring on those section and retake them at that time to superscore with his already high reading/writing scores.

ETA, I don't see any reason to actively publish a 24 unless asked for it.  I am sure it's fine to wait until he scores better or schools start ask.  We intend to just sit on this first score and schedule the section retakes as soon as they are available.

A couple of things to keep in mind.  The ACT just announced that it will let you retake individual sections of the test.  The SAT still makes you retake the whole test each time.  So, if your son did poorly on one particular section of the ACT that pulled down his composite score, he can study for and retake just that section and not bother with the parts he's already happy with.  Most schools "superscore" tests now, and college baseball coaches will ask your son for his superscore and to update him if it improves.

LuckyCat posted:

The ACT just announced that it will let you retake individual sections of the test. 

Wow, that's amazing!  Do they charge less?

These tests are given on Saturday mornings, 7 times each year.  In spring, summer, and early fall, Saturdays are baseball days.  Look at the schedules for the next 2 years for both SAT and ACT,  figure out when your son will not have a baseball conflict - there will probably be only a few dates, in November-February. Then aim preparation for that.  Scores can go up significantly after taking practice tests/test prep classes/tutoring, but with baseball the timing has to be planned.

anotherparent posted:

LuckyCat posted:

The ACT just announced that it will let you retake individual sections of the test. 

Wow, that's amazing!  Do they charge less?

I don't know.  I don't think they've actually implemented this change yet.  It was announced just a month or so ago.  It will be interesting to see if the College Board follows suit.  The ACT has been taking market share for years and this will make it even worse.

Just looked it up.  They say it starts in September 2020.

https://www.act.org/content/ac...e-act-sept-2020.html

A 24 is a decent score, especially for a 2022. If you are interested in getting that score higher, for academic scholarships etc, I would recommend hiring a private tutor. I did this with both of my boys and their scores improved 4-5 points overall, composite, which in turn improved their super scores.  

I'll echo comments that recommend getting a tutor to help with test prep.  This is probably expensive but my son got a lot out of it.  Also - practice on a regular basis (say, take a section or two every Sunday afternoon).  Probably the most significant thing for my kids was learning how to pace themselves so the last 5 questions got the same amount of time as the first 5 questions - this comes with practice and a stop watch to build the internal clock.

Regarding whether he should share the score, I would not unless asked.  Even then you can deflect this by pre-emotively saying "I'm going to take the test this spring".  I look at it this way - if the school is not a particularly HA school, then 24 good enough and it's not going to matter.  If the school is an HA school, then it's way off the mark and not going to help his case.  If he can improve his score by early this coming summer (rising Junior year if I'm not mistaken) that will open up his options for summer exposure to a wider list of schools.  And if he's truly interested in HA then he'll need to load up on AP classes (at least 5 during HS, more is better).

SMITTY’s comment about practicing is a must. A good tutor will assign practice questions. Your son will need to be committed to practicing. A tutor 1-2x per week works well, at least 4-5 weeks before the test. Do this for several tests, improving one section at a time. He can/will improve. Also, if there are any learning disabilities, and your player has a 504/accommodations etc, be sure to work with the high school guidance counselor to have those accommodations carried over to any ACT, SAT, and AP tests.  And don’t expect the counselor to handle it without you asking. Be an advocate for your child🤓

Get the score you need to get. What I  mean is figure out the ROI and based on that figure out if you need to do a private tutor, test prep. or self study. My 2022 scored considerably lower than that on the ACT and PSAT, but schools (outside of HA D3s and Ivys) still have plenty of interest.

My 2020 had an initial score lower than your son start of junior year when he first took the SAT (so older than your son) and finished with a higher score and almost a 6 figure merit award over 4 years as long as he keeps a 2.5. 

Luckily my son realized that his SAT score would affect his baseball future.  Once that association was made it was all downhill.  We did a test prep and he did well, the following year he bettered the score without specifically studying for it.

Thanks for sharing everyone. My 2022 is planning to take it this summer. 

I would encourage your son to try the SAT as soon as possible (I believe the next test date is in March). There are plenty of free online resources (Kaplan, etc.) for him to get familiar with it before that time. ACT and SAT are different test formats - my son did better on SAT and my daughter did better on ACT. The higher the score your son can get, the more options he will have. It may be well worth spending the money on a prep class once you figure out which test works the best for him. Good luck!

If you haven't tried it out, I highly recommend Khan Academy.  You can link your PSAT/SAT results and it will help identify specific areas for your student to focus on. If you haven't taken an SAT yet, there are online practice tests or printable ones (I prefer these to replicate testing) and you take a picture with their app and it scores it from the picture. There are informational test taking strategy videos. But the absolute BEST thing: your student can have on their phone and it will give them 15 minute mini sessions on the days of your choosing.  I have a friend with a very bright child who doesn't have the means for private tutors- he practiced an hour a week between his PSAT10 and the actual PSAT as a junior, went from a 1250ish score to 1400+ (PSAT is out of 1500).  My 2022 just got his practice PSAT results back and has already uploaded results and has 4 days a week he spends 15 minutes.  And yes, we'll probably get him a tutor as well.  It's free and helps prime them for the work the tutor will do.

anotherparent posted:

LuckyCat posted:

The ACT just announced that it will let you retake individual sections of the test. 

Wow, that's amazing!  Do they charge less?

These tests are given on Saturday mornings, 7 times each year.  In spring, summer, and early fall, Saturdays are baseball days.  Look at the schedules for the next 2 years for both SAT and ACT,  figure out when your son will not have a baseball conflict - there will probably be only a few dates, in November-February. Then aim preparation for that.  Scores can go up significantly after taking practice tests/test prep classes/tutoring, but with baseball the timing has to be planned.

If you know your fall baseball schedule a year or two out already, share your team with the world because it would be the best organized program in North America. If you think you can’t possibly miss a fall ball game to take an SAT/ACT, your priorities are whacked.

Look at the schedules for the next 2 years for both SAT and ACT

No one said anything about having a specific baseball schedule for the next 2 years. However, most players know when they will not be playing or showcasing. I think the point is to plan ahead. There are some pretty special events in the fall, (which are not appropriate for every player). Certain events, for certain players, can actually be more beneficial than retaking the ACT/SAT on that particular weekend.

My Junior just took two ACT's this Fall.  One in September, and one in December.  Prepped and studied for them all Summer, while playing ball and holding down a weekday job.  Not easy, but neither is playing ball in college while maintaining grades.  So figured this would all be a great test of the kind of schedule he could expect at the next level.  He's looking to go the HA route, so his scores matter and they are now basically in the can before the Spring so he can real conversations with recruiters.  Plus now he can wholly focus on training, velo, and pitch development. 

RoadRunner posted:

Look at the schedules for the next 2 years for both SAT and ACT

No one said anything about having a specific baseball schedule for the next 2 years. However, most players know when they will not be playing or showcasing. I think the point is to plan ahead. There are some pretty special events in the fall, (which are not appropriate for every player). Certain events, for certain players, can actually be more beneficial than retaking the ACT/SAT on that particular weekend.

I agree, the conflict can be bigger than just one Saturday or weekend.  Junior year of high school is generally the most intense academically.  Finding a relatively slow period baseball-wise to properly study for an ACT or SAT test can be a challenge.  We decided it was not a good idea to pile prepping for and taking an admissions test on top of classes and high school baseball in the Spring.  So, my 2021 son started studying and took a prep course in early Fall and took the SAT twice between October and December.  We used an individual tutor between to two tests to focus on just the specific parts of the test he didn't do as well on.  Our hope is that he is now done with admissions testing and can focus on baseball and his classes for the rest of his junior year. 

ETA: Wechson, sounds like we had similar strategies, although I'm impressed you managed to get your son to focus on studying over the summer.  We talked about it, but in the end, he was playing pretty much every day and on the road a lot, so most of the studying started for real in August, after the travel season ended.

LuckyCat posted:

RoadRunner posted:

Look at the schedules for the next 2 years for both SAT and ACT

No one said anything about having a specific baseball schedule for the next 2 years. However, most players know when they will not be playing or showcasing. I think the point is to plan ahead. There are some pretty special events in the fall, (which are not appropriate for every player). Certain events, for certain players, can actually be more beneficial than retaking the ACT/SAT on that particular weekend.

I agree, the conflict can be bigger than just one Saturday or weekend.  Junior year of high school is generally the most intense academically.  Finding a relatively slow period baseball-wise to properly study for an ACT or SAT test can be a challenge.  We decided it was not a good idea to pile prepping for and taking an admissions test on top of classes and high school baseball in the Spring.  So, my 2021 son started studying and took a prep course in early Fall and took the SAT twice between October and December.  We used an individual tutor between to two tests to focus on just the specific parts of the test he didn't do as well on.  Our hope is that he is now done with admissions testing and can focus on baseball and his classes for the rest of his junior year. 

ETA: Wechson, sounds like we had similar strategies, although I'm impressed you managed to get your son to focus on studying over the summer.  We talked about it, but in the end, he was playing pretty much every day and on the road a lot, so most of the studying started for real in August, after the travel season ended.

Yes, very similar and very happy that phase is in the rear view (he MAY take one section over, if he needs to, in September when the format shifts to allow for section-only testing).  As for summer studying, we managed to get a recent college grad to come once a week at a relatively inexpensive rate so were fortunate to create some structure and accountability.  He didn't go crazy, but it certainly was a consistent component of his summer schedule.  Either way, would encourage other parents to focus on this period.  Prior to that, I think it's tough for kids to do well unless they are really gifted students/test takers.  It's really meant for Juniors and above.  Much later and I think the Spring baseball schedule, plus finals/AP tests, SAT 2 test get to be too much. 

I don't want this to come across as snarky and I do recognize that it's easier to get a kid to play/practice baseball than study, but if a kid is able to devote "X" time to baseball, he is able to devote ".25X" to test prep (and that is ONLY until an acceptable score is achieved).

Goosegg posted:

I don't want this to come across as snarky and I do recognize that it's easier to get a kid to play/practice baseball than study, but if a kid is able to devote "X" time to baseball, he is able to devote ".25X" to test prep (and that is ONLY until an acceptable score is achieved).

 

While I agree, we should acknowledge there are certain times of the year that are easier to get QUALITY .25X test prep from teenage boys.  When your friends are headed to the beach after sleeping in while your kid has already been to weightroom AND hit two buckets of balls, it might be hard for him to motivate himself to study Latin root words.  

"When your friends are headed to the beach after sleeping in while your kid has already been to weightroom AND hit two buckets of balls, it might be hard for him to motivate himself to study Latin root words."

And this is what distinguishes the few from the many. There are twin priorities: baseball and academics (in this case represented by testing). The beach (video games, girls, parties) is optional. (But, there are no prohibitions on studying at the beach.)  Work gets you moving towards a successful result; leisure doesn't. Hard? You bet. And, that's the separator. 

If a kid can't accomplish the twin priorities in HS, those priorities don't get easier at the next level. 

Goosegg posted:

"When your friends are headed to the beach after sleeping in while your kid has already been to weightroom AND hit two buckets of balls, it might be hard for him to motivate himself to study Latin root words."

And this is what distinguishes the few from the many. There are twin priorities: baseball and academics (in this case represented by testing). The beach (video games, girls, parties) is optional. (But, there are no prohibitions on studying at the beach.)  Work gets you moving towards a successful result; leisure doesn't. Hard? You bet. And, that's the separator. 

If a kid can't accomplish the twin priorities in HS, those priorities don't get easier at the next level. 

 

 

I get what your saying Goosegg (they are 16- to 18-year olds after all and sometimes lose slight of the long term plan), but there needs to be some balance or the kid will burn out, and I say that as the mother of a pretty academically driven kid.  Finding time to decompress and recharge is an important part of achieving our goals, and teaching your high schooler that lesson now will help him succeed (not fail) in college.    

I agree 100% to a work/life balance.

I also know that when a player isn't working, someone else with the same goal is. 

Reconciling those two is the trick. 

My freshman has a geeky 15yo friend who took the ACT.  Scored a 33.   He cant hit a baseball or even run properly but I have this bad feeling he might end up my sons employer.😬

The crazy thing is that there are many more geeky 15 year olds scoring 33s on ACTs who will ALSO eventually hit upper 80s with their fastballs, or 90+ on their exit velos than you would think possible.

Simple proof that the universe is not a fair place.

Always good to have the best test scores that you can get.... but the faster you run, hit , throw,  the lower the scores can be .... don't kid yourself into thinking if I have better scores I stand a better chance of being recruited , signing, playing..... than a player with lower scores that might be a bit better than you. 

In my experiences for Ivy and Northeast D3's and probably a few other area's , the scores must be high... P5 not so much.   At most if not all the top baseball schools you are there to play baseball and win... if you don't  , well you do not have to worry about the class room because you wont be there anyway...   exception.... coaches always have a couple of players on the roster to boost the team gpa.  

As far as the high SAT and ACT scores.... I have found that once the player is in college it really doesn't matter if they scored a 33 or a 23  .... it's meaningless at that point.  Learning to manage time, attend class and put forth effort will mean more than the score. 

I would not stress out if Jonny doesn't have a 32-35 ACT .... if the coach wants him he will find a way... 

My son took both the ACT and SAT, he did significantly better on the ACT, Idont know why. Went to a website that correlates the scores and the ACT score was equal to a SAT score 100 point higher that the SAT score he actually got. So we used the ACT score going forward.