Yet, despite more money spent on prep classes than ever before, last year, the SAT Critical Reading score had the largest drop in 31 years.  Math scores dropped, and scores on the new essay were surprisingly weak.

Prep classes don't seem to be working.

With an understanding of what the test actually tests, parents can launch their children into learning techniques that will increase success, even as early as elementary school, just in the course of ordinary schooling.

What the Test Is, and Is Not

First of all, about the test. Kids may argue that it tests old, forgotten, and useless math knowledge and vocabulary words they've never seen before, and never will again. But in truth, the SAT is not a bad test. Understanding the nature of the test will help you prepare your student for real success. It surprises many students to know that in actuality, no question on the math test is as technically complicated as most average high school homework problems. Math homework problems usually emphasize a new concept or skill; math problems on the SAT emphasize thinking and reasoning skills that build on a solid base of math knowledge. All problems require clear thinking.

In the verbal section, students are tested on their facility with words and language. The readings are substantive, the words come from a rich use of language, certainly not words commonly heard on television.

So, the SAT tests aptitude based on a solid educational base. Clearly, review classes that propose gimmicks or quick fixes can do little to improve scores. Instead, our goal is to help them build that base.

What you can do, and when you can do it

1. First, encourage habits that build this base. When your child is working on math problems, even as early as elementary school, ask him what he's doing.

He'll probably tell you the technique. Smile, and ask again. Ask why, what is it used for, when would someone use this technique? Don't be discouraged he doesn't know the answers. He probably won’t, but it will get him thinking.

2. Encourage reading. And then encourage more reading. True, this is hard to do as the child gets older, but there are surprisingly effective ways. One way we've tried is to have someone read aloud during dinner cleanup, perhaps on a rotating basis with clearing dishes or loading the dishwasher. Even "grown" kids can quickly get drawn into a good story or ongoing book.

Suzanne has been helping students raise test scores for more than 30 years.  She has included the most effective ideas and strategies in a new workbook, available in the fall of 2006: Raising Scores on the SAT, ACT, PSAT and similar tests - without prep classes, by Suzanne Sutton.  It is written to be adapted to whatever time interval remains until the test, from one month, to many years.

The method is simple: the best test-taking strategy of all is to know enough to know the answer.  Suzanne shows you how to get there.