SAT and ACT prep.  My 10th and 11th grade students have been concentrating on preparation for these two tests over the last year.  Some were a little more diligent than others, but everyone has been making efforts to familiarize themselves with the content of the test.  

Since the vast majority of colleges are requesting the score for one or the other of these tests, I have been working to find ways that will help these scholars succeed.  And I think I might have found a gem!

There is an application for iPhone/Android users that is called "ready4SAT".  I looked into it as research for my grad class, and I was pleasantly surprised.  

First of all, the app is free.  There are a few features (tracking progress being the most impressive one) that are only features in the paid version.  However, the creators of this app have priced it at a one-time fee $4.99.  If that is a little too steep for your pockets, you will get pretty far on the free version. 

The app has a student log on and create an account.  Then it asks a few questions: "What is your desired score on the test?"  "Do you have any colleges that you are interested in?". Easy questions that do not necessarily need an accurate answer.  

The next step is to take a diagnostic test.  It is a short, concise test that tries to sample your math, grammar, and reading skills in about 20 questions.  It was a relatively easy test, although my math skills have greatly diminished over 20 years of not using them.  

After the diagnostic test, it tells you what your projected score would be; I wouldn't hang too many dreams or decide college isn't for you based on this score.  Remember, they are getting this guess from those 20 questions that you just answered.  

However, in spite of a slightly-inaccurate test projection, the App sets up a series of study questions and lessons for each section of the SAT.  Every few lessons, there is a quiz that correlates with the information just studied.  When you are satisfied with your results, you move to the next checkpoint.  If you need to study a section a little bit better, the student can generate another test with a different set of questions.  Each time, the test will be scored, correct answer given and explained, and a a new lesson will be generated.  

It really is quite interesting, and I think students will benefit from checking it out.   

             https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/sat-prep-by-ready4/id991750634?mt=8