This helpful guide shows parents how they often unknowingly sabotage their children’s success on one of the most stressful standardized tests–the SAT. In recent years, the SAT has become a fearsome psychological undertaking as the competition for slots at major universities has quadrupled. Success on the SAT is now as much a matter of navigating the maze of changing testing structures, crippling self-conceptions, and family dynamics as memorizing vocabu… More >>
Conquering the SAT: How Parents Can Help Teens Overcome the Pressure and Succeed
Tags: children, Conquering, Help, Overcome, parents, Pressure, Succeed, Teens, universities
#1 by Joseph Mechlinski on January 19, 2010 - 1:23 am
Having a lot of experience with companies who work in this area of tutoring, test prep,and college recruiting companies, this is the first time someone has focused on what I believe to be the core issue… it’s not only what you know, but its how you take the test. A student’s confidence with themselves, how to navigate through the test, and what the test really means. I am impressed with how the authors have presented the information. It’s a very engaging book and I would highly recommend it!
Rating: 5 / 5
#2 by Andrew L. Kincaid on January 19, 2010 - 3:27 am
Attempting to penetrate the vast and turbid issue of the SAT and its cultural impact is a daunting and intensely complex task. The test is simply too ensconced in the American zeitgeist to extirpate and examine it thoroughly. Johnson and Eskelsen, however, do a laudable job of critiquing, debunking, and demystifying the test itself, commenting, when applicable, on its affects on the landscape of American life. They offer specific and useful advice for the parents of a generation burdened by the stresses and concerns surrounding the SAT that comes from years of experience working with young students and from a commitment to better understanding the test. This book is invaluable for parents seeking to comprehend the complexity and anxiety associated with this aspect of high school life.
Rating: 5 / 5
#3 by Kristen Zatina on January 19, 2010 - 5:46 am
I found this book’s recurrent theme to be that achieving the best results on the SAT comes from, or at least begins with, exactly what you already know and exactly who you are. The mission to merit the scores that the best of the best colleges and graduate schools want to see is one that instills fear and makes even the best of the best students feel intimidated. “Conquering the SAT” intersects this rising anxiety and instills confidence. With so many options to IMPROVE YOUR SCORES! out there, it’s so easy to forget the most basic principles of succeeding on a test. I was struck with a sense of calm when the authors advocated to simply be creative with math, write what you know about, and sometimes just stop and THINK! I wish I had just relaxed six years ago when I took the SAT and had a little fun with learning instead of fiercely focusing on my score.
The book is a little long-winded but a good read to pick up here and there as the student stories are easy to relate to and the chapters have a way of repeating the same suggestions over and over again in different ways. It’s more encouraging and engraining than tedious and redundant. For the parent who wants what is best for their child’s health, mentality and attitude throughout the college testing process, this is the place to start. The book is no replacement for courses, tutoring, note cards, practice tests, etc. but if the student can become sure of his/herself before tackling the test, which is exactly what “Conquering the SAT” advises, than those aforementioned performance-raising mechanisms will probably work a lot better in the long run.
Rating: 4 / 5
#4 by Anano-critic on January 19, 2010 - 6:11 am
Conquering the SAT is unique in that it is for parents rather than for the test-takers themselves (although it wouldn’t hurt to share with your high school student). The SAT process is so fraught with anxiety, and parents often feel at a loss as to how to help their students, but Johnson and Eskelsen throw out a very down-to-earth lifeline. I found this book to be helpful because it coupled explanations of the test itself with stories of students’ real-life experiences. Having finished the book, I felt less panic, and better equipped to help my son map out a strategy. Wish I had had this book when I was preparing for the SAT!!
Rating: 5 / 5
#5 by M. Ionescu on January 19, 2010 - 6:22 am
Being an SAT tutor, I think this book takes the perfect approach towards tackling the incredibly stressful SAT. This book teaches parents and even students the psychology behind the SAT, and, from this, they can best learn how to prepare for the test and perform well.
This book, like any other SAT book, isn’t going to magically improve scores, but it will put any willing parent/student on the right path towards improvement. Not only can you use these skills for the SAT, but it probably is a useful approach when tackling any kind of standardized test.
Rating: 5 / 5