Is Studying for the SAT Cheating?

Is studying for the SAT considered cheating? Standardized tests may be your pet peeve.  Let’s talk about it!

I recently signed up for your mini-course on the 5 mistakes parents make when homeschooling high school. First, let me say, I love your web site and all your information. You sound very pragmatic and real. We’re starting the high school adventure this year. My question regards the college entrance exams. Perhaps this is a bone I have to pick with the system and I’ll need to live with it, but it used to be (in the good old days) that you took the PSAT as a jr., then took the ACT or the SAT your senior year, and that was it. Now it seems like you’re supposed to practice for the practice test as a sophomore, and take both ACT and SAT, and take them as many times as you can, and take the best score, ya-da-ya-da.

My contention is, a standardized test should be just that–standardized. I consider it cheating to take all these helpful classes to take the test, and take it again if you aren’t satisfied with the score. Now, if I hold to my high standards of ethics and integrity, will I be hurting my daughter’s chances of competing for scholarships and colleges if everyone else is doing it the way academic stars are? She has done very well on the ITBS and the Stanford Achievements in the past, so I’m not worried about the test itself. I just think the whole pressure on scoring the perfect 1600 or whatever is NOT the point of the entrance exams.

Thank you for listening to me gripe about what has become a pet peeve. I see the value and purpose of the test, so we will be taking one of them (not sure which, yet). I just wish they were standardized, and not a race for the pinnacle of acadamia!  Thank you,
~ Lois

Dear Lois,

That’s not an easy question to answer, and I can see that you are already very aware of the controversies about studying for the SAT and ACT.  I am very pragmatic, as you say, so let me give you a pragmatic answer.

The SAT measures reading, writing, and math.  The ACT also measures science.  Of all the things we want for our children, teaching them to read, write, and do math is right up there on our priority list.  If you teach them to read, write, and do math using SAT prep instead of homeschool curriculum, does it really matter?  Studying for the test will improve their ability to read, write, and do math.  (It also teaches them about how stupid tests are, but we’ll just ignore that for right now <grin!>)

Some colleges use the admission tests more than others, and there are schools that don’t require them.  For homeschoolers, though, the tests can be some of the only outside documentation we have.  Unless you take classes outside the home, the tests may be the only measure of how well your children are doing in relationship to others – so I can see why they want it.  In addition, because of the state of public education, colleges have expressed to me their concern that a public school accredited transcript doesn’t prove an education either – and so they like to see scores from them as well.

Back in “the day” when you and I took the test, it was supposed to measure “aptitude” as in “Scholastic Aptitude Test” or SAT.  That’s NOT the meaning of the name now.  It’s only called the “SAT” and it’s not an acronym for anything.  It just measures reading, writing and math, basic readiness skills, not aptitude.  Think of it as a giant subject test, I suppose.

In any case, you don’t have to score any better than anyone else, you just want your daughter to score her personal best.  It’s like being in a recreational league in sports; “Just do your best, honey.”  By doing your best you can maximize financial aid and admission opportunities.  Studying for the test can help them become familiar with the format, which will help them to score their personal best.

Yes, it’s frustrating.  But studying isn’t going to hurt her.  That said, investing a ton of money in the process may not help.  I think it’s just as good to buy the Princeton Review 11 Practice Tests and use it at home.  If your child is uncooperative, then maybe paying for a class is worth it, but usually studying at home is all that’s needed to do your personal best.

I have an audio class called “High School Testing” that might help.  It comes with the purchase of my Total Transcript Solution, and also with the purchase of the Gold Care Club.

It’s OK to not strive for that “pinnacle” you are talking about.  I know that our family spent a lot of time thinking about how high and fast we wanted to climb.  We finally decided that for our family it wasn’t about Harvard and Yale.  It was about a good education and a good fit college, striving to find what was the perfect match for my child.  And yes, there are homeschool families that do push very hard.  That may work well for their family, but it’s not a fit for everyone.  Please don’t feel pressured to push too hard.  Like you, I’m not sure a perfect score is worth it.

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