Need honest answer

A lot of good students don't test well; testing, like anything else, can take some training. Be it a book, an on-line course, or a Learning Center thing, it might be well worthwhile to get him some SAT preparation assistance and re-take the tests. This would also be of general assistance if testing is a problem for him.

WHat is a BIG tournament?And who was thre/

A fairlydecent pitcher/outfielder in all the BIG tournaments? Who did he know?

Orlando, thanks for your response. We have registered for an SAT prep program next month.
He has played at the Perfect Game WWBA touneys in Jupiter, Ft Myers, plus many others. Plenty of scouts, and we have received numerous form letters from colleges to attend their school camps. Just want to know what will happen when we fill out one of these forms inquiring about his grades and SAT's that we have been sent.

Try the ACT. The majority of schools in the United States accept both SAT and ACT test results

The ACT is an achievement test, measuring what a student has learned in school. The SAT is more of an aptitude test, testing reasoning and verbal abilities.

First, I would have your son retake the SAT and/or ACT after a prep course. Then have your son check with his counselor on the NCAA Clearinghouse criteria and have him begin that process.

Finally, fill out all questionaires honestly and let the coaches decide whether or not they want to continuing recruiting him. You are not wasting anyone's time. There are many borderline academic qualifiers on top D1 program rosters. If your son is a hard worker and willing to use the resources available in college, he will be able to succeed academically in most programs.

I personally have wondered if a high GPA with a low SAT is more likely to remain eligible in college than a low GPA with a high SAT.

I think you need to remember that even though the two are interelated they are two distinct goals.

The SAT is a tool to get him into college whether he plays baseball or not. There are several things to consider - did he have a good night sleep and a good breakfast before the test? Was he distracted with other concerns?

Orlando gives some great advise. Find out as much as you can about the test, help him prepare for it, and then retake it. You will need to do this even if he doesn't play baseball but wants to go to college.

I wouldn't totally alter your recruiting steps at this time. You may need to qualify, but even a 1600 SAT won't get you recruited if you don't have baseball talent. What happens if he raises his score significantly - do you want to have wasted all this time?

Perhaps you could look into schools with lower acceptance rates, and have a back up plan. But I would do that in addition to, not instead of what you are doing now. .

Make sure you tell the coaches that he plans to retake the test. It's up to them whether they want him bad enough to keep him on their radar while they wait to see.

Good Luck

Read the NCAA guidelines for a student athlete.

Guidelines

It also lists the minimum SAT/ACT score relative to your GPA. He would need at least a 400 SAT to score to pass the Clearinhouse elibility.

Obviously, that doesnt mean a college would accept him based on his current scores.

Definitely, prep for the next testing. But do take the test again. Seriously consider the ACT if he scored that low in the SAT.

Here are some of the factors that make the SAT and ACT very different breeds:

The ACT includes a science reasoning test; the SAT does not.
The ACT math section includes trigonometry.
The SAT tests vocabulary much more than the ACT.
The SAT is not entirely multiple choice.
The SAT has a guessing penalty; the ACT does not.
The ACT tests English grammar; the SAT does not.

Is your son a Jr. or Sr.?

My son is a junior, and will attend college regardless of baseball. I appreciate everyone's replies thus far. Just trying to plan an approach to his senior year. Thanks again.

Ace,

I don't think it is time to hit the panic button by any stretch of the imagination. Some kids just do not take tests well. I imagine with a 3.7 at this stage of the game, your son is more than capable academically.

My son, who has a 4.0 gpa, was quite disappointed with his results. He knows that his SAT score does not reflect his ability. But he took the first one in the fall as a practice test, and planned all along to take it once or twice in the spring.

We bought him the "Princeton Review" prep book, which teaches you "how" to take the test as well as giving you sample questions, etc. He is now planning for his next test, and allowing himself time to prepare before he takes it again. And there is always the fall tests that are available.

It makes no difference if you have a low score if you score higher on subsequent tests. They will only look at the highest scores. Additionally, I think that most students tend to take the tests in the fall of Senior year. It's only us "baseball folk" that live according to a different timeline.

I would suggest your son start preparing now for the May 6 or the June 3 SAT, as well as the June 10 ACT. (I have also heard that many students do better with one format or the other).

good luck to your son.

Ace,
While your son may be eligible for the clearinghouse, not sure if he is eligible for Florida Bright Future's scholarship, which could be a bargaining chip here in FL.
While son had an extrememly high GPA, he took the SAT once and ACT once, with no preparation. I was not too happy with results, even though they were acceptable for most college recruiters. He was scheduled to retake the SAT in june of his junior year, after a prep course, but we canceled.

Most probably your son can bring it up, with prep courses. And if colleges are interested, they will advise you to retake if not acceptable.

Here's the catch. If your son has talent and is able to get into a program with his GPA and low SAT score, and the school teaches on a 1200 or above SAT level, he may struggle.

JMO.

Since he is still a Jr. he will be able to take the test a few more times. As far as going to college regardless, keep in mind that to go to any Florida State university you need a minimum of 880 (440 verbal, 440 math) on the SAT even with a 4.00 GPA. The average SAT score in the state system is 1020.

Ace....son took the SAT's three times....each time he raised his score. Prior to the last test he took we purchased an online tutorial for him......best money we spent......scores increased dramatically.

Wouldn't be too concerned if this is just the first time he has taken them.....you are on the right track though in getting him a test prep course.

ACE1967:

Where are you with your college searches? Certainly no need to get worried with your son being a 2007 grad. Most colleges provide the "minimum requirements" for ACT/SAT etc on their website usually in the admissions catagory. You can also find out what the middle 50% range is at most schools on there website. There are also search engines that will quckly tell you what colleges you cannotget into without a certain SAT score and that will eliminate some schools. If you need specific information about college search engines, PM me.

TW344

Ace,

You've received good advice, but if all that doesn't work:

A friend took the LSAT's (law school version of SAT's) and did poorly. He obtained letters from teachers as to his abilities, and as to how he just doesn't take that type of test well. (He had done poorly on SAT's as well, yet had a 3.5 GPA in college, editor of student newspaper, etc.) He was wait-listed but admitted late, and became a brilliant lawyer. Moral: if all the good advice-ACT, prep course, etc., don't help, get creative and get pro-active. Good luck.

Thanks for all the advice. We will keep forging ahead with the process. He is scheduled for the ACT on April 8th, and has begun studying for the next SAT. The school says he has the grades, just tested poorly. We purchased the book mentioned from a previous post, and are looking into the SAT prep course at the local JC.
Thanks again.

It took my son three tries to get his SAT scores up to the level he(we) wanted (1330)... So he would have the opportunity at the Universities he hoped to attend

But as we found out... if you have the BASEBALL talent a COACH wants... it really matters little... I saw a player who struggled to stay eligible as a HS player (barely above 2.0 gpa in HS) get a top line Scholarship offer at a prestigious University. This palyer would never be eligible if it were not for baseball.

I also saw my son (with a 4.28 GPA) overlooked because, teams already had a player in his position.... or needed more pitching...

Its all about FIT.... for your son and the TEAM... With only 11.7 schollies... teams only get one player per position... (except for Pitchers) You decide on what you want from college... its about atmosphere, education, opportunity, playing time... comfort... Its amazing but there will be a place where your son will know...

So Grades and scores are important.. but as I sadly found out... not as important as a 95 MPH fastball or a 90+ LHP pitcher, or a switch hitting power Catcher... or a big strong #4 power hitter. These are the TOP players...

But being a "Fairly Decent" player... he better work on his test taking skills...