Take the PSAT: Practice is key to success in any endeavor. The PSAT provides students with an opportunity to become familiar and comfortable with the SAT one to two years before they take the SAT. On October 21, 2003 all 110th graders wilt take the PSAT paid for by the Board of Education. GT and honors students in grade 9 and all 11th graders are encouraged to take the PSAT but must assume the cost ($10.50). Please consider the cost an investment and not an expense.
  Continuous Reading: Continually reading works of fiction and nonfiction will build student vocabulary. The verbal portion of the SAT is analogies and critical reading passages. Our school data shows that our students have the greatest difficulty with the critical reading on the verbal portion of the SAT
  Complete algebra and geometry: The math portion of the SAT is arithmetic, algebra, and geometry. A student should NOT take the SAT until he/she has completed geometry. Our school data shows that our students have the greatest difficulty with the geometry questions on the math portion SAT.
  Take an SAT prep course: Exposure to content and test format/strategies as close to the taking of the SAT as possible increases a student's chances for success. A prep course is offered at Dulaney and by various private corporations (e.g. Kaplan. Sylvan, Princeton Review).
  Take the SAT More Than Once: In most cases, each time a student takes the SAT his/her score increases. However, allow for adequate "new learning " between testing sessions, (e.g. May of junior year and Oct/Nov senior year)
  Rigor is essential!!!  Our school data reveals that the MOST effective preparation for the SAT is rigorous coursework. There's no substitute!

  Right Now: Sit down to discuss and set your family goals. Make sure that your hopes and dreams match up with your child's hopes and dreams. If your plans include a four-year college, check out the minimum SAT I requirements described below. Be realistic about your child's talents and your child's problem solving ability. Be realistic about your child's initiative.
  Freshman Year: Encourage Initiative. Encourage your child to set realistic goals and to pursue those goals. Encourage your child to take charge of his/her education. Encourage him/her to take rigorous courses and to begin a vocabulary study. Encourage reading. Make homework a priority.
  Sophomore Year: Continue all the work that went on above. Encourage your child to build an educated vocabulary. Make the taking of the PSAT a big event by encouraging preparation and involvement. Analyze the results of that PSAT. Find out why the questions were answered incorrectly or left unanswered. Encourage your child to learn from mistakes and to practice SAT I's.
  Junior Year: Continue all the work that went on above. Have your junior take the PSAT in October in order to qualify for the National Merit Scholarship Competition. Analyze the PSAT results when they come into the school in late December; continue a vocabulary study; sign up for a rigorous verbal and math prep course; take the SAT I once in the Spring; use the College Board's Question and Answer Service; analyze the SAT S results over the summer prior to Senior year.
  Senior Year: Encourage your senior to continue to take rigorous courses; encourage him/her to take the SAT I once in the fall after sufficient preparation; schedule an in-depth guidance session concerning college selections.