Before you know it, college will be knocking at your door. As the parent of a high school student, it’s your job to make the transition as smooth and stress-free as possible. The biggest mistake families make? Waiting until senior year to start preparing.
You can begin right now to help your student put their best foot forward—especially when it comes to the all-important SAT, which can influence both college acceptance and scholarship opportunities.
Here’s a year-by-year plan to help you and your student stay ahead of the curve:
For Students:
Freshman Year
Build your brain. Start reading classic literature. These books are rich in vocabulary and critical thinking.
Add logic. If your school doesn’t offer it, incorporate a logic curriculum at home.
Take the PSAT 8/9. This is great practice and helps identify strengths and weaknesses early.
Start practicing. Use official College Board SAT questions and begin learning test-taking strategies—about an hour per week.
Try a practice SAT. No pressure—just get a feel for it.
Sophomore Year
Keep reading. The more you read, the stronger your vocabulary and comprehension skills become.
Continue practicing logic. Logical thinking helps across all subjects, especially test-taking.
Take the PSAT 10 in October. It’s great practice for the real PSAT/NMSQT next year.
Practice SAT strategies. Aim for two hours per week using real test materials.
Take a couple of SATs. Since you’re already preparing for the PSAT, the timing is perfect.
Junior Year (The Most Critical Year)
Take the PSAT/NMSQT in October. This is the test that counts for National Merit Scholarships—which can mean full rides, honors programs, room and board, stipends, and more.
Prep hard. Spend several hours a week on test-taking strategies leading up to the PSAT/NMSQT.
Take the SAT in August and October. This gives you a strong baseline before the PSAT/NMSQT.
Take more SATs in spring. Keep aiming for a higher score—it can directly increase scholarship money.
Senior Year
Know your college deadlines. If you’re applying Early Decision, make sure your SAT scores are ready in time.
Take the SAT in October or November if needed. Retesting is encouraged—colleges usually “superscore” (take the best scores from each section across all tests).
Schedule a couple more SATs in spring. It’s your last chance while in high school.
Keep an eye on scholarships. Continue applying, especially for those with spring deadlines.
For Parents:
Encourage community service. Add it to your student’s transcript every year.
Monitor GPA. Some schools, especially state universities, only accept students in the top 10%. Every grade matters.
Start researching colleges early. Begin visiting campuses and attending preview weekends by 9th grade.
Help with scholarships. Many are available for underclassmen, so start the search early and often.
Final Thoughts
The longer your student waits to prepare for the SAT or ACT, the less time they’ll have to improve—and that means missed opportunities for both college admission and scholarships.
College is just around the corner and can sneak up fast. But with early planning, consistent practice, and a little strategy, your student can confidently walk the path toward their dream school—with less stress and possibly even debt-free.
