Genius: Low or No Cost Standardized Test Prep

Ensuring your children, whether biologic or bonus, have the best opportunity at attending college and getting achievement based scholarships can be overwhelming. (During COVID, many colleges were waving their ACT/SAT requirements but most have removed the temporary waiver.) It is a great time to begin preparing, especially if you have 8th or 9th grade learners who recently took the PSAT last Fall. For inclusivity, I will be referring to our impressionable generation as learners throughout the instructions below.

For a no/low cost but effective way to help increase your learner's score, try Khan Academy. My house knows I SWEAR by Khan. Generally, accounts are free but they have a donation window annually to ensure their academic tools remain adaptive. If you chose to donate $10 or more, it is still less than what you would pay for other resources. On average, test prep can range from $50 to $400 depending on if it's self paced or provided a live instructor. Because your learner can continue to use Khan Academy throughout high school and college, its an invaluable resource.

Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you assess and improve your learner's performance on the SAT and ACT.

Step 1: Create and Link Your Accounts

To maximize the benefits of Khan Academy and the College Board partnership, you need to connect your accounts. Here’s how:

1. Sign Up for a College Board Account: If you don’t already have one, visit College Board and create an account. This is essential for accessing your SAT scores and other related resources.

2. Create a Khan Academy Account: Go to Khan Academy and sign up for a free account if you don’t have one.

3. Link the Accounts: Once both accounts are active, log in to Khan Academy and navigate to the SAT practice section. You'll see an option to link your College Board account. Grant permission to share your SAT scores with Khan Academy, allowing the platform to create a personalized study plan based on your previous performance.

   
   

Step 2: Analyze Strengths and Weaknesses

Once the accounts are linked, Khan Academy will analyze your child's SAT scores to identify your strengths and weaknesses. This analysis includes detailed insights into specific sections like:

• Math: Algebra, Problem Solving, and Data Analysis

• Reading and Writing: Command of Evidence, Words in Context, and Grammar Rules

The platform provides a score breakdown, highlighting areas where you performed well and those needing improvement. This tailored approach helps you focus on what matters most, saving time and effort.

Step 3: Set Up a Personalized Study Plan

Khan Academy creates a customized study plan based on your learner's score report. This plan includes:

• Practice Questions: Curated problems targeting your weak areas.

• Full-Length Practice Tests: Simulate real test conditions to build stamina and familiarity with the format.

• Video Lessons: Engaging tutorials that break down complex concepts.

The study plan can be adjusted to fit your learner's availability, ensuring consistent progress without feeling overwhelmed. The platform dynamically updates the study plan based on your learner's performance, ensuring continuous growth.

Step 4: Leverage the Resources for ACT Preparation

Although Khan Academy’s official partnership is with the SAT, many of the skills and concepts overlap with the ACT. For ACT prep:

• Focus on math and reading resources, as they align closely with ACT sections.

• Use full-length practice tests to adapt your pacing strategy for the ACT’s unique format.

• Supplement with ACT-specific materials available on the ACT’s official website or other trusted sources.

Step 5: Track Their Progress

Regularly monitor their progress using the tools provided by Khan Academy. Your learner can add you as a parent in their profile. Take this opportunity to create rewards/incentives for their progress. Encourage your learner to retake practice tests and quizzes to measure improvement.

Step 6: Take Advantage of Additional Features

Khan Academy offers several additional features to enhance your test prep experience:

• Hints and Explanations: Step-by-step solutions for practice problems.

• Goal Setting: Define specific score goals to stay motivated.

• Mobile App: Study on the go with Khan Academy’s mobile app.

Conclusion

By linking your Khan Academy and College Board accounts, you unlock a powerful combination of tools to help you excel on the SAT and ACT. This strategic approach allows you to focus on areas of improvement, build confidence, and ultimately achieve your target scores. With consistency and dedication, you’ll be well on your way to conquering these critical exams and paving the path to college success.