When the schedules of high school students are as full as they can get, three unpleasant letters crash onto the scene, like an unexpected distant relative arriving on a Saturday night. Groan, moan, search for a speedy review class, and hope for the best as they sit through the grueling process. But there's another way, and it's not nearly so painful, and far more successful. 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.

Over the next few months, this column will give you some of these ideas. (Excerpts are taken from SAT Prep - With a Smile, by Suzanne Sutton, published by Washington Parent, March 1996.)

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, other than hope for lucky guessing. 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.