| Question: |
What merit is there in studying for the SAT? |
| Answer: | For one thing, the SAT preparation as taught by the Lamplighter is an excellent
course of study. Most students find their work here soon begins to help them in their regular
work at school. It helps them do better on the test, and they should do better in college because
of the diagnostic way we teach. The Lamplighter student works alone with the teacher. Whatever
the student doesn't know, we teach.
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| Question: | Do you teach test-taking techniques? |
| Answer: | Yes, while there is no real substitute for knowing well the correct answer, we
teach techniques for utilizing all the student does know -- in order to zero in on the correct
answer. Sometimes students know more than they think they do. Moreover, we prefer the word
"estimate" to the word "guess." Guessing can be wild. Eliminate answers you believe are
wrong, then estimate from those that remain.
|
| Question: | If you take the test again, and continue to study, will your scores go up? |
| Answer: | It all depends, on the earlier scores and the student's willingness to work. If the
first score was very high, generally, it is more difficult to earn a higher score. If the earlier score
was low, generally, it is easier to improve. Much depends on the student's commitment to the
task. Moreover, while tests are designed to be comparable, they do vary, and the student may be
more alert on one day compared to another. We all have good and bad days. For those who
complete the entire course, however, the majority significantly improve their scores.
|
| Question: | Are all scores reported to the colleges/universities or only the highest score? |
| Answer: | It can vary. When the student takes the test, he/she can fill out a form stating
which colleges/universities are of interest and should receive the scores. Catalogues and other
informative material then arrive in the mail. Questions like this can be asked of the school
counselor, or the student may call the institution of interest.
|
| Question: | How long does it take the student to prepare? How many times does the student need
to come for lessons? |
| Answer: | It depends on a number of factors: the student's present grades, level of
intellectual functioning, dedication to the task, willingness to do the required homework, colleges
the student is considering, and the scores the student wishes to achieve. Students are different.
We can't answer this question until we know the student. Nevertheless, there are both short-
and long-term schedules for study, both are helpful. Our preference is that students work through
the entire study manual. We suggest that students allow sufficient time so that if illness or
something else necessitates cancelling a session, there is still sufficient time for adequate
preparation.
|
| Question: | What is included on the new SAT Verbal? |
| Answer: | The new SAT Verbal includes a critical reading section, which consists of sentence completions and long and short critical reading
passages. (See our page "Reading as a Thinking Process.") For all of these subtests, study of vocabulary is essential. The new SAT also includes a writing section. Students will be given a prompt and will have to write an essay which addresses the prompt. There is no longer an analogies section.
|
| Question: | What is included on the SAT Math? |
| Answer: | The Math sections include a knowledge of basic math (K-8), including fractions,
percents, probability, and statistics; and pre-algebra, Algebra I, geometry, and Algebra II.
|
| Question: | When should students take the SAT? |
| Answer: | Students usually take the PSAT in the in the tenth or eleventh grade (especially the eleventh), but schools differ on
this. Check with your counselor at school. Students are advised to stay in touch with their counselors and not to hesitate to call the
college of their choice with specific questions.
|
| If students have questions on the Lamplighter program, please call us at (513) 831-6344. |
