SAT/PSAT FAQ's
• Who should take this course?
All students who wish to improve their SAT or PSAT scores. The first goal of the course is to dispel any myths that exist about the SAT and PSAT (for example, always choose answer choice "D" if you need to guess). We will then familiarize the students with structure of the test, take away the mystery, and offer time-tested techniques that will improve a student's chances for a higher score.
• How does the Edge stack up against other SAT companies?
Many SAT prep courses cost several hundreds of dollars (the highest we have seen is $1,500). The truth of the matter is this: the content of all reputable SAT courses is similar. The major differences come in the amount of time spent studying vocabulary with students during class time, and the name recognition companies have developed.
• Why does the Edge (school program) have such a low price?
We have tried to be more efficient with our costs. We do not advertise on television, radio, or national magazines, or by mass-mailers. We only advertise through school publications. Because we teach several thousand students every year, we can purchase our materials at a greatly reduced cost. We have passed these savings on to you.
• If I take the Edge SAT course, will there be lots of homework?
That will depend on you. We will provide you with more than enough SAT problems to work on, Latin roots to memorize, and techniques to practice. How much of this work you choose to do will depend on how serious you are about improving your score and getting into the college of your choice.
• How many points will my score increase?
All score increases vary. Students starting below a combined score of 1800 points have a significantly easier time improving their score than students with a score over 1800. In addition, your point increase will depend on your willingness to try the techniques recommended, and the amount of time you are willing to study in the hours before and after class.
• Is your course being offered at another school?
Most likely. The Edge runs courses at many schools statewide. If the dates and times are not convenient for you at your school, please contact us by e-mail for more information. Our e-mail address is: info@EdgeEducational.com.
• Are your classes scheduled for any other dates?
You can e-mail us at info@EdgeEducational.com with your problem. We will direct you to another school nearby, or send you information about our private tutorial program or summer course.
• Does The Edge offer private tutorials?
Yes. Our private tutorial program, the X-Factor, teaches students the Secrets of the SAT. These secrets, coupled with critical test-taking skills and a confident attitude, is what the X-Factor is all about. The X-Factor is able to offer a bit more to our students because of the one-on-one learning environment, and the highly trained, professional SAT instructors that will lead you to a higher score. According to our students, our Edge classes rated 9 out of 10, while our X-Factor rated a "WOW." See for yourself, The X-Factor.
• Will the SAT be a hard exam?
Yes. Not all questions are of equal difficulty, however. You can get an above average score by never doing any of the truly hard problems (we will tell you where hard problems are so that you can avoid them).
• Can I really raise my score by taking a prep class?
Yes. The College Board, the company that owns the SAT, even suggests prepping for the test as a way to raise your score. The steps that you should follow to raise your score are:
1. Learn what to expect from the test.
2. Develop a solid base of mathematical skills (if your math is a little shaky, we'll show the most important things you will need to know).
3. Develop a strong vocabulary -- the more words you know, the greater potential you have for success. Beware, knowing every definition in the dictionary will not necessarily help if you do not know what to do with all this knowledge.
4. Know how to take standardized tests! This is probably one of the strongest aspects of our course.
• Does the SAT measure how smart I am?
No! The SAT only measures how well you take the SAT. The SAT does not test IQ, street smarts, or anything but how well you take a three-hour standardized test.
• When should I take the SAT?
The common path for students who want to go to college is this:
PSAT: Fall of your Sophomore and Junior years.
SAT: Spring of your Junior year, Fall of your Senior year (if needed).
SAT II: Late Spring of your Junior year, and Fall of your Senior year (avoid taking more than two subject tests in one day, however).
• What is the PSAT?
Many consider the PSAT to be a practice SAT. The PSAT is two hours in length, compared to three hours for the SAT. All PSAT questions come from old SAT tests, and all questions and sections are arranged similarly. The overall score of the PSAT is the only major difference. To convert your PSAT score to an approximate SAT score, you would only need to add a zero at the end of your verbal and math scores. For the top students in the country, the PSAT is used as a qualifying tool for the National Merit Scholarships.
• Does the PSAT count?
Only for the National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Exam. Other than that competition, which only affects the top few percent of all students in the country, the test is just for practice.
• When is the PSAT offered?
Usually the second or third week in October.
• Do colleges see all of my test scores?
Yes. You cannot selectively choose which scores the colleges will see. Different colleges have different criteria regarding which scores they will let you submit, though.
• How often can I take the SAT?
As often as you can stand it. We recommend taking the test no more than a handful of times. Score increases typically peak after a few attempts.
• What does the word SAT stand for?
Scholastic Assessment Test. The name was recently changed from Scholastic Aptitude Test. Many people felt that aptitude was not a politically correct term.
• Can I fail the SAT?
No. There is no such thing as failing the SAT.
• What is an average score for the SAT?
The average score per section is 500 (Math, Critical Reading and Writing Skills). The lowest you can score per section is 200; the highest is 800. Believe it or not, you get almost 750 points total for just signing your name, and, if you missed every single question on the test, your overall score would be approximately 600.
• Does the SAT predict how well I will do in College?
No. The SAT only determines how well you do on the SAT. The reason it is not an accurate predictor of college success is that males generally score higher on the SAT, but females generally have higher high school grades. On top of that, minorities, according to the College Board, score significantly lower than non-minorities. Given these inconsistencies, most experts believe the SAT is not an accurate predictor.
• Why do colleges require SAT's scores?
Because many colleges have, and continue to rely on these standardized tests as a screening method. However, several schools are beginning to rely less and less on SAT scores.
• Do all of the sections on the SAT count?
No. One of the sections on the SAT is used to test new questions on unsuspecting students. The College Board calls this their "equating" section.
• Can I just skip the "equating" section?
No. There is no way to determine which section is the equating, or experimental section.
• How important are my SAT scores?
Bigger schools tend to rely on the SAT more than smaller schools because they have many more applications to sift through. Test scores such as the SAT give the admission officers a quick method of comparing students.
• Is it true that the Spring SAT is easier than the Fall SAT?
No. According to The College Board, all SATs are of "comparable difficulty." You may ask why one SAT seemed easier than another one. The answer: you understood more words on one test over another, tricky math questions did not confuse you, or perhaps you had more interest in the reading passages.
• Are Freshmen or Sophomore students too young to take the SAT course?
Our students range from Freshmen to Seniors. A growing number of our students are taking the class twice: once as a freshman or sophomore, and once again in their junior or senior years. Taking the course early on in high school makes the student very aware of how important solid math skills, a strong reading ability, and a broad vocabulary are to having an outstanding SAT score.
• What is the Spatial Battery Exam?
The College Board has not released much information regarding this test. When they do, we will analyze it and post it on our web page. Keep checking back periodically so we can share our findings.
STUDY SKILLS FAQ's
• Is this course good for freshmen?
Absolutely. The skills taught in this course are critical to success in high school and college.
• Who should take the Study Skills course?
Any student who is either college-bound, or summer school-bound. The class focuses on techniques that successful people, not just students, use every day.
• What techniques can I expect to learn?
The Study Skills course, titled How to Study Smarter, Not Harder, will teach students how to: organize, set goals and priorities, manage time, speed read, read a textbook for information, prepare for tests, take tests, and handle their teachers.
• My child is flunking all of his/her courses. Will your course help him/her?
We have had some dramatic turnarounds come about as a result of our course. Sometimes a student does not quite understand the situation presented to him/her at school. Our course does a great deal for that type of student. If you feel a class setting is not quite right for your son or daughter, please inquire about our individual tutoring program.
• My child is an A student. Will he/she learn anything from your course?
Your child is clearly doing most things correctly. However, is he/she studying too much? Is he/she becoming stressed over the course work and tests? If the answer is yes, then our course will help.
• The course times offered at my school are not convenient. Is this program being offered elsewhere?
Most likely. The Edge runs courses at many schools statewide. If the dates and times are not convenient for you at your school, please contact us by e-mail for more information. Our e-mail address is: info@EdgeEducational.com.
