What does he get out of taking either the SAT or the ACT in 8th grade? Does he need this for any particular summer program or class his is going to take?
If not, personally I wouldn't have him take either of them at all. The writing for both the SAT & ACT isn't what he should be striving for in his writing ability. If you can write well, the writing for the SAT/ACT shouldn't be difficult. But learning to get good grades on these standardized tests doesn't make a good writer. Both of these tests are graded more on difficulty of words, grammar, and length than if the essays are well thought out.
I hear you about the teacher freaking the kid out about the high school honors classes. But the skills in doing well on the ACT or SAT, aren't the skills he needs to do well in the honors classes. (At least at my school.) My son (15 TOday!!) hasn't taken either exam yet. I have considered it for entrance to a summer program, but didn't bother when my son was uninterested in the class.
My daughter took the ACT twice a few years ago. The writing portion of the test is shorter than that for the SAT as Howler said taking at the end of the test. The ACT test is graded on a 1-8? score? I don't remember getting a lot of feedback.
Last edited by bluemagic; 02/28/14 09:16 AM.
