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The Honolulu Advertiser

Posted on: Wednesday, March 9, 2005

Trying to score on the SAT

 •  Get yourself in SAT mode
 •  Last-minute help for test day

By Zenaida Serrano
Advertiser Staff Writer

Anita Manuma could have spent the past two Saturday mornings doing a lot of things teens like to do on weekends. Instead, the Saint Francis School junior devoted four hours each day to a preparation class for a College Board SAT she'll take Saturday.

Anita Manuma, 16, of Kailua, participates in a SAT prep seminar by College Connections held at Sacred Hearts Academy last Saturday. Manuma has also been practicing at home for the essay section.

Photos by Rebecca Breyer • The Honolulu Advertiser


Karen Curameng, 16, also took last Saturday's seminar. Experts say this kind of practice is one of the best ways for a student to improve their SAT score.
"It's worth it because the classes are preparing me to get a better score," said Manuma, 16. "In order for me to go to the college I want to go to, I have to score high."

Manuma is among thousands of Hawai'i high school juniors and seniors preparing for the upcoming SATs, with a test format being administered for the first time nationwide beginning Saturday.

Despite the changes, which include a written essay and revised reading and math exams, preparations remain the same, experts say: Students should first work to build overall mastery of their academic subjects, as this competence will show itself on the test. They can also make themselves familiar with the test's format and categories, so that they are both ready and able on testing day.

"The SAT is not a test that you can cram for," said Lei Kudo, post-high-school counselor at Kaimuki High School. Kudo recommends students take preparation courses and practice tests, whether with a private tutor, in a classroom setting or online.

Getting ready for the SAT's new writing portion has become a family affair for Manuma.

"My mom is always giving me (random) topics to write papers about," Manuma said and laughed.

Whether you're reading or writing on your own, taking a prep course or practice test, or studying an SAT guidebook, any preparation is good preparation, said Steve Brennan, director of advising at College Connections Hawaii.

"Basically, whatever a student can do to reduce the stress level is helpful," Brennan said.

Do a few test runs

Students who are planning to take the SAT later this year can put together a study plan based on their areas of strength and weakness, setting target dates to concentrate on the test's various sections. Prep classes can be part of this plan.

Kaimuki junior Kathryn Cole, 16, took an SAT preparation class last May for a test she took Jan. 22. "That's what helped me out because that provided (test- taking) strategies," said Cole. "Like in the vocabulary section, when ... (I) didn't know a word definition, through the prep class I learned to look at prefixes and to eliminate choices."

It worked out so well that Cole plans to take another workshop on the new writing section of the SAT, which she'll take again in October or November.

Kirkland Lozada, a senior at Punahou School, took the SAT last June. He took a prep course both at school and online, but he preferred the classroom setting much more.

"I would say, definitely take the course with people," said Lozada, 18. "You can ask the teacher questions and you have other ... (students) there where you can learn from their mistakes."

Classes can range between $100 and $1,000, depending on things like how extensive the courses are and who's administering them; financial aid is also available. Students can get information from their college counselors about the various SAT prep courses.

"There are SAT prep workshops and classes offered by high schools and private test prep companies that have a positive track record in helping students prepare and feel confident about the exam," said Myron Arakawa, director of college counseling at Punahou School. "But if time is limited, or family finances prohibit test prep courses, check out 'The Official SAT Study Guide: For the New SAT.' "

The $19.95 publication is by the College Board, which created and produces the SAT.

The guide offers suggestions on pacing yourself while taking the test, how to approach each type of question and how to feel more confident on test day, among other things, Arakawa said.

In addition to the prep class, Cole took two College Board practice tests at home; her counselor provided the booklets.

Practice tests, also available online, are a good idea, Kudo said.

"If students review the way the items are formatted, and become familiar with the instructions and time limits, that will take care of a lot of the anxiety, rather than seeing the test for the first time," Kudo said.

And after students have done all the SAT studying they could possibly do weeks in advance, they can still ready themselves physically and mentally hours before the test. (See story.)

"Do the things that they always tell you: Eat a good breakfast, sleep well the night before and be on time," said Cole.

Lozada also recommends taking a mental break from studying before test day.

"Don't study the night before because you won't learn any more," he said.

Above all, students should keep things in perspective. A teen's entire world shouldn't revolve around the SAT, Brennan said.

"I really can't stress enough that a (bad) SAT score isn't the end of life," he said.

Reach Zenaida Serrano at zserrano@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-8174.