Should a Middle School Student Prepare for the SAT?

Donna recommends enjoyable reading, logic and mathematical thinking rather than early test-prep pressure.

Donna’s answer is direct: hold on, Mom and Dad. The SAT is designed for high-school juniors, and middle-school students have not yet been taught much of the content.

CTG advises against buying a middle-school student an SAT-prep book. Introducing the test too early may discourage the student and turn the SAT into an object of dread or fear.

A better foundation

Read for pleasure

Encourage the student to read something - anything - that genuinely appeals to them. Fluency, comprehension and a positive relationship with reading are strong long-term foundations.

Do math for fun

Protect the student’s ability to reason through a problem using logic and problem-solving skills. Donna recommends working through enjoyable contest-style problems together.

Donna specifically recommends Math Olympiad Contest Problems for Elementary and Middle Schools by George Lenchner as a source of problems to work through with a parent.

Keep curiosity intact

Middle school is often when math anxiety begins. Enjoyable problem-solving at home can help students remain confident and willing to think through unfamiliar questions.

Looking for age-appropriate academic support?

Email Donna with the student’s grade and subject. CTG may be able to help directly or provide a referral.

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