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Test Scores and College Admission Anne gave some great advice for others about test scores and college admission on my Facebook page after getting her own question answered:I just wish I had asked it at least a year ago. However I have 3 children yet to graduate so I can still use all the help I can get. My oldest son is graduating in May of this year and we have had some disappointments. He did...

Do you have to take AP classes if you don't want to? Debbie wrote on Facebook:"I have a 12 yr (7th grade) daughter who is currently doing 9th grade work. As I pick her school work is it necessary for her to do AP classes and how do I know which home school courses are AP? In other words, can I make any curriculum an AP course and how?"Debbie, anyone can take an AP test, even...

As homeschool parents, our goal is NOT to teach something. Our goal is for the kids to LEARN. I could have taught my kids “at grade level” and they would have not learned a thing. Instead, I gave them curriculum at their ability level, and then they had to learn something that they didn’t already know. I believe that older teens MUST learn how to teach themselves. If they go to college, they will be expected...

A 9th grader *can* take the PSAT, but I almost never recommend it. The PSAT can be taken at a local public or private high school. The PSAT is a VERY cheap test, and if testing is required by state law, it can usually meet that requirement.  However, the PSAT does have Geometry and Algebra 2.  It can be very discouraging for a kid to take a test and not have any chance of getting a...

Please note that as of January 2021, The College Board has discontinued SAT Subject Tests® and SAT® essay.  Don't you just wish sometimes people would tell you EXACTLY what tests a high school student needs to take?  Unfortunately, it's not that easy!The number and type of tests depend on the college your student may attend.  Some will require certain tests, or allow other tests, or encourage or discourage community college classes.  Sadly, that means no pat...

Please note that as of January 2021, The College Board has discontinued SAT Subject Tests® and SAT® essay.  The SAT Subject Tests are required by SOME colleges, but not all. So here is what you need to do:1. Find out what colleges you are applying to (or the college you *may* apply to)2. Find out what tests they require for admission3. Take the tests if they require them.Virtually ALL colleges will accept either the SAT or...

No More Penalty for Guessing on the SAT Is your child taking the SAT this spring?  I have good news, as of the spring of 2016, the SAT no longer has a penalty for guessing.They used to calculate the number of correct answers and subtract 1/4 point for incorrect answers. In other words, a wrong answer used to hurt more than leaving the answer blank. Now, students receive one point for each correct answer, and zero points for...

My son has a degree in Political Economy, and has loved economics since he was a child. This post contains affiliate links. If you click and buy I may make a few pennies, but not enough for a latte. Economics for Beginners When he was younger, my economics-loving son enjoyed the Penny Candy books in the Uncle Eric Series, written by Richard Maybury. These books come from a free market perspective and are politically conservative/libertarian. Many people use...

Practicing for the SAT and ACT Worried about how to prepare your child for the SAT or ACT? Lee can help! Click on Lee's video, below (or here) for some tips on practicing for these high school tests!Is your child studying for the SAT or ACT? Please share! Subscribe to my YouTube channel. You will be notified when I create new videos on homeschool high school topics!Get general strategies and study tips for all the major...

Did you know ... study time spent on tests such as the SAT or ACT can be included on the transcript! SAT Prep - Credit for Work Done? It can take a lot of work for kids to prepare for high school tests such as the SAT or ACT. There are ways to give them credit for all the work they've done using test prep books, classes, or other supplementary materials.• Consider it a supplement for...

In this video, I talk about how to prove to the colleges that your child's homeschool education is rigorous. Here are a couple of brief articles that will give you more info on registering for the SAT and ACT tests. This one has links for waivers from the testing sites: Click on "Register" or "Registration":  Fee Waivers for Tests and Applications This one has links to Sample tests:  Should I Choose the SAT or ACT for...

In this video, I discuss whether the SAT and ACT are required for high school graduation. For personal support join the Gold Care Club! If you subscribe to my YouTube channel. You will be notified when I create new videos on homeschool high school topics!

In this video, I talk about the difference between grades you give on tests and grades you put on your homeschool transcript. Subscribe to my YouTube channel. You will be notified when I create new videos on homeschool high school topics!

 It's helpful to take the CLEP test when you are "done" with a subject - the problem is knowing what "done" means.Rachel asked, " I am wondering if it could make sense to take the CLEP on a subject right after the student has successfully completed it, rather than waiting until the last year of high school and taking several then.  Are there any disadvantages to this method (taking them as the subjects are "completed") that...

It’s not too hard to create a stellar transcript for a student that excels in all they do, but what about the more average student who struggles in certain areas, and may be a little reluctant to learn?  How do you make their transcript look acceptable without any stretching of the truth?Usually the first thing I suggest when I consult with somebody in this situation is to figure out what your child does for fun. There...