Study up on college entrance exams using computer tools

When I was applying for college, it was common knowledge that it wouldn't do any good to ``study'' for the SAT. One lonely author defied that theory and wrote a book on how to prepare for the test. Thanks to that book I was able to get into the University of California and, eventually, earn a doctorate degree in education.

Now it's widely understood that preparation does help. Test preparation has become an industry with companies like Kaplan and Princeton Review offering in person classes, books, software and Web-based preparation services.

Even the College Board, which administers the test, offers software you can order or download to help prepare.

My college days are behind me, but my daughter Katherine -- a high-school senior -- is about to submit her applications. She took an in-person class several months ago that seemed to help but, to improve her scores a bit, she's also spent some time with books and shrink-wrapped software.

For her most recent -- and I think final -- preparation for the SAT, she used Kaplan's ``SAT Target 1600,'' a Web-based mini-course designed primarily for students who have already taken the test and scored at least a 600 on math or verbal but strive for even higher scores.

After watching Katherine try out various score-improvement systems, I've come to the conclusion that any of them can help but that the amount of time and effort you put into the preparation, not the actual product you use, is the key to improving your score.

As far as computer-based tools are concerned, the general landscape can be divided into three general categories: test-preparation software, Web-based programs and specialized ``mini-courses'' designed to help with math, vocabulary or other skill sets.

If you have plenty of time and patience, it makes sense to get one of the full-fledged preparation programs such as Kaplan's ``Higher Score for the SAT/ACT -- Deluxe Edition'' ($39.95) or ``The Princeton Review Inside the SAT & ACT 2002 Deluxe'' ($29.95) from The Learning Company (www.learningcompany.com). These programs, which are relatively entertaining, will help you with strategy and attitude as well as giving you lots and lots of sample questions.

Another option is to take an online course. At $399, The Princeton Review Online is a lot more expensive than the shrink-wrapped software but cheaper than the $900 you'll pay for attending an in-person class. The online ACT-preparation class is $299. These online classes are not trimmed-down versions of the software but extensive training classes that include nearly 140 lessons, 70 drills and four practice exams. The advantage to taking a course online is that you can access it from any Web-enabled device, even from a laptop, library or cyber cafe while on vacation. The disadvantage is that you must have Internet access to practice.

Also, you only get access for four months. That's OK if you plan to be finished with your tests within that period, but if you're going to invest in something this extensive, and expensive, it would be nice to start using it during the junior year and continue have access in your senior year, just before you run out of chances to re-take the test.

Another downside for some students is that there isn't a regularly scheduled class to attend. Some students need the discipline of showing up for an in-person class; otherwise they might ``forget'' to study. One way around that, sort of, is to spend almost as much as you would with an in-person class by taking Princeton Review's $799 ``live online'' course where you get eight hours of instruction from a real teacher. You don't see the teacher, but you do hear him or her. You can also ask questions via a chat room and interact with other students online.

For my daughter, Kaplan's ``SAT Target 1600'' ($79) was a great way to hone her skills after she decided to repeat her SAT to see if she could improve her score. We don't yet know how well she did, but she said that the short course (designed for students who have a month or less to prepare), helped her quite a bit. The course includes two full-length practice SAT tests, lessons, quizzes and vocabulary flash cards and games. Katherine liked the online vocabulary quizzes.

Before you spend anything on software or an online course, check out the free resources on the Web. Both the Kaplan and Princeton Review Web sites have some free sample courses. They're not very complete, but they're a good starting place. The College Board (www.collegeboard.com) offers a free 68 question ``diagnostic Mini-SAT'' that you can download and run on a PC or Mac. You'll find a similar mini-course at www.testtakers.com.

You'll find a very nice free test preparation site at www.number2.com that includes instruction, a vocabulary game and sample tests. This site is entirely free. It's not a come on for a fee-based service. In addition to the SAT, it also helps prepare students for the ACT and GRE exams.

Building up your vocabulary is crucial for doing well on the verbal portion of the SAT and ACT, which is why I recommend a visit to www.freevocabulary.com where you'll find 5,000 SAT preparation words. No fancy interactivity, but useful information.

Likewise, you'll need to work on your math which you can do at www.gomath.com. You'll find more math resources at http://mathforum.org and by clicking on the Mathematics link at Cornell's Math and Science Gateway Math and Science Gateway (www.tc.cornell.edu/Edu/MathSciGateway). One of my favorite portals for learning tools is Kathy Schrock's Guide for Educators (http://school.discovery.com/schrockguide/) that also has resources for parents and students.

Whatever you do, make sure the student in your life puts these tests in perspective. Katherine and I have been around the country visiting colleges and on almost every campus the admissions officers remind prospective students that these tests are only part of the equation. Some colleges, like Wheaton, don't even require standardized tests and others, including the University of California, are starting to question their value. My guess is that they will eventually go away or become optional but, in the mean time, they're a necessary evil. Be prepared but don't become obsessed.