English

English standardized tests, including the AP English test, focus much more on reading comprehension than on recall of facts. You will be given difficult passages and asked to analyze and interpret them.

In the first phase, you will prepare for the SAT. This process is challenging. 

If you already love reading, politics, and debate, then you should get the Barron's SAT Book, and start going through training and practice sections. 

However, this doesn't describe most people. SAT verbal training is one of those areas that is very, very difficult to study for independently. Aside from just reading a lot and getting involved in debate and politics, there are no good free services we know about for SAT reading training. Here, you should consider a Vohra Method SAT verbal program (Vohra Method was created by the founders of the AP Homeschool Project). If you mention that you're homeschooling, you'll get a couple free hours that you can use to at least get a jump start.

If that’s not possible for you, then you'll need to commit to something huge: you must get rid of your video games and stop watching TV shows. You have to make sure that your brain starts adjusting itself for reading. Reading must be your primary source of entertainment. Yes, this is a huge request. But it is the only zero cost way to do this. 

The human mind craves entertainment. If your only source of entertainment is books, your mind will adapt and your reading will improve.

The SAT

Let’s start.

1. Create a College Board account. This will allow you to schedule all future tests. You only need to do this once. When you create the account, you can select your state’s home school as your school. For example, if you live in Maryland, you would put in “Maryland Home School” as your school. All of the other information is just basic contact and address information.

Study the Grammar first.

1. Get the Barron's SAT Book.

2. Train with the grammar sections first. Do the questions and review the answer explanations carefully.

3. Build your vocabulary.
   You can use the flash cards in the Barron's book as well as the full word list.
   Vohra Method students type "vocab synapse" into your Slack channel to get free access to Vocabulary Synapse. Try to get 100 points a day for 3 months. If you’re not a Vohra Method student, you can always contact Vohra Method to set up a free account and access the same resources.

Study the Reading Passages.

Do not waste time or money on a mass market SAT strategy company. You need to learn how to read well, not how to guess well. Companies that teach process of elimination are not going to get you to where you need to be.

1. Work through the passage-based reading questions.
   Your goal should be to calmly understand what you're reading, and then do the questions. You should not skim the passage, and then re-skim after every question. That is a total waste of time, and doesn't work. Read it thoroughly once, and then answer the questions.

If you are stuck, get expert help from Vohra Method or a local tutor that teaches content, not just strategy. Strategy, in SAT training, means process of elimination and other unreliable methods. You need to learn how to read well, not how to guess well.

Take the SAT.

1. Sign up for the SAT here.
   The SAT is offered several times per year, and you only have to sign up for the test a few months prior to taking it.

2. Take the test.
   If your score on the SAT Verbal section alone is below 730, reread the Barron's book, get another tutor, and take the test again. If you've taken it a few times and aren't getting anywhere, contact a group with more expertise. You can contact Vohra Method, or use local experts to help you out.

Retake the test as often as you want. Colleges will only look at your highest score. It does not matter AT ALL how many times you take it. Do not believe the urban myth that you should take it only three times. That's nonsense. Take it 50 times if you need to.

Study for the AP Literature and Language tests.

You will simultaneously train for the AP English Language and AP English Literature exams. They test the same underlying skills.

1. Get the Barron's books for AP Literature and AP Language.

2. Go through the practice tests and read the answer explanations carefully.

The relevant skills will come from practicing the exams. The reading on these exams is extremely advanced. Do not practice these timed; take whatever time you need to understand what you're reading.

Take the AP Literature and Language exams.

1. Sign up for the three exams by October.
   For this, you will need to email apstudents@info.collegeboard.org. As an AP Homeschool scholar, you’ll take the AP exams at schools close to where you live.

2. Take the AP test.
   If you scored a 5, congratulations.
   If you scored a 4, that is accepted for college credit at most colleges. Just verify that your first choice college accepts a 4 in that subject.
   If you scored a 3 or lower, then you should do a second round of studying and plan to take the test again next May.