SAT Prep - Credit for Work Done?

High School Tests

Tuesday, 31 March 2015

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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 math and science classes, and don't list it separately on the transcript.

• Consider it hard work and a valuable experience that helps kids learn, and put it on the transcript separately.

If you put it on the transcript, I don't recommend calling it "test preparation." Instead, I prefer to give the class a more general title. I prefer calling it "Study Skills." I usually put it in the "elective" section of the transcript. For a credit value, estimate how many hours are spent. If your child racks up more than 75 hours, then give 1/2 credit.

If you prefer, you can leave it off the transcript. Some parents consider studying for these tests simply a part of the college application process. That's okay too!

Please note: This post was originally published in October 2011 and has been revamped and updated for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

The Comprehensive Record Solution provides what you need to create homeschool records to amaze and impress colleges.

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Comments 4

Guest - Lee (website) on Thursday, 20 October 2011 15:21

We used the Institute for Excellence in Writing Advanced Communication Series, plus 501 Writing Prompts, among other things. I *love* Ann's idea about the Great Courses class - they have great stuff.
Blessings,
Lee

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Guest - Ann on Tuesday, 18 October 2011 05:26

We used The Teaching Company (The Great Courses) "How To Be A Superstar Student" VHS with my two older sons in junior high school, in preparation for high school. We were unable to use this with my youngest as we no longer have a VHS player, however I saw that they have a new version of the course (new instructor/DVD format). The course is definitely suitable for high schoolers.

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Guest - Kristine on Monday, 17 October 2011 10:11

I made the decision to give credit for this after reading your Setting the Record Straight book (which is excellent, btw!). My daughter has been receiving the daily SAT test practice questions, has worked in different prep workbooks, and has taken a practice test. I've also assigned (at least) one book about being a superstar high school student.

Additionally, she's using IEW's SAT essay writing curriculum, and that's being included in her English credit this year.

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Guest - EEEEMommy (website) on Monday, 17 October 2011 10:09

You could also count the hours towards English. Getting credit for Math/Science is easy when it's just a matter of finishing textbooks. Not using one specific textbook for English/Literature classes means recording hours. All that vocab review and the like for the SAT would definitely help boost the English hours.

If I were to create a class called "Study Skills," I'd want to make sure we actually covered "skills" and it wasn't just "studying." Do you have any recommended resources for teaching "study skills". How to study?

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