Can I give you a hint about the SAT that has helped many students who have tried this approach? I've had several Moms come back and thank me for this advice 'cause their kids did so well on the SAT AND they were not afraid of the SAT by the time they took it.

Take 3 months before the SAT and make it a course of study for your child.  Take at least one hour a day to review the flash cards of SAT vocabulary. If you can, get the SAT software that helps them review and do that for an hour a day. If they need review of math, Key Curriculum Press has a great review course for
Algebra and Geometry. Take the test from one of several review books at least once a week. You can get these books in the library, used book stores or new bookstores. Read these review books because they have great hints about the test.
 
A month before the test, take the practice tests twice a week. And the last week before the test, take one each day. This will require about 3 hours for each practice test.

This system has worked because it gets the kids away from being afraid of the test, which in itself helps them to test better. But it also becomes so familiar to them that it's no big deal. Several kids who's first practice test barely made 1000, were up to 1400 on the practice tests when it came time for them to take the real one.

They give a SAT somewhere here in Houston at least once a month. I think July is the only month it's not available. Check with your nearest university.

Blessings,
Jube

AN ADDENDUM FROM PROF. FRED WORTH:

I agree that preparing for the SAT or ACT is a good idea. One caution, though. Some schools, like mine, use those tests for placement in some classes. If a student scores a 19 or higher on the mathematics part of  the ACT then he may take college algebra without having had intermediate algebra. We have had students who have scored a 13, taken a prep course for the ACT and then scored a 19. The prep course did not teach him that much more mathematics. It taught him how to take the test. He then failed miserably in college algebra because he simply wasn't ready. The moral of the story is, if the test is used for placement, honestly assess your child's level of expertise to see if he or she should be placed below where the test says they may go.

Fred Worth
Professor, Department of Mathematics
Henderson State University
Arkadelphia AR 71999-0001
worthf@hsu.edu
870-230-5079
http://www.hsu.edu/faculty/worthf