When taking the PSAT and SAT, every bit of advantage helps. The PSAT can help qualify you for a scholarship and the SAT can help you get into your dream college. It’s no wonder students want the best scores they can get on these standardized tests. But one secret weapon you may have not realized could help you improve your SAT score? Khan Academy.
Khan Academy can be linked to your College Board account. By connecting the two, Khan Academy can view your SAT results and give you personalized recommendations! See how it works below.
What is Khan Academy?
Khan Academy is a free online learning platform that offers a wealth of courses for students and adults. The non-profit organization has videos and lessons for K-12 studies, test prep, life skills, and more. If you want to review a subject from a class you’re currently taking, brush up on a subject, or learn something completely new, Khan Academy has you covered.
How To Link Your College Board Account and Khan Academy
As the provider of the SAT, College Board stores all of your previous SAT, PSAT/NMSQT, PSAT 10, and PSAT 8/9 test results.
If you open the SAT prep pages on Khan Academy, you will be automatically prompted to connect your College Board account. By clicking the “Let’s Go” button under “Maximize your score with Official SAT Practice,” you can start the process. You’ll be asked to log into your College Board account and allow your scores to be shared. Once that’s completed, you will have access to your very own SAT dashboard!
Why Should You Link Your SAT Scores to Khan Academy?
By linking your Khan Academy account to your College Board account, you can gain access to the Official SAT Practice module. This allows you to:
Access Personalized Recommendations
By connecting the two accounts, Khan Academy can give you personalized recommendations and study resources tailored to those scores. This allows you to focus on your weaker areas while also having access to the tools to make sure your stronger areas stay strong. Your SAT Dashboard provides you with questions you need to study the most. It also identifies what’s the most likely to appear on the official test.
Take Official Practice Tests
With access to 8 full-length practice SAT tests, students can get on track to improve their PSAT and SAT scores. In fact, Khan Academy claims that those who used the Official SAT Practice for six or more hours were able to score 39 points higher compared to those who didn’t. It’s highly recommended that students take at least one full practice SAT.
Get Daily Recommendations
Try not to prep for the SAT all in one night. Especially not the night before you take the SAT. Your SAT Dashboard will provide you with daily recommendations, including time suggestions, to help ensure you’re studying a little every day.
And Khan Academy asks you when you’re planning on taking the exam so it schedules out these lessons appropriately. You can always change the date, too, if you decide to take the SAT on a different day.
Track Your Skill Levels
As you study for the SAT on Khan Academy, you’ll be able to see your skill levels right in your dashboard! This means it’s easier than ever to see your progress, which can give you the motivation you need to keep pushing further.
Taking the PSAT
Aside from this one awesome weapon for test-takers, there are some things to know about taking the PSAT:
- There is no longer a deduction (or penalty) for wrong answers. If you’re not sure of an answer, feel free to guess away–it can’t hurt!
- PSAT score reports are available to the student online by logging into your College Board account. Gone are the days of having to wait two months when your guidance counselor hands you a paper copy of the results which you may or may not misplace.
- There is a great deal of useful information on the PSAT score report. College Board has done a lot of work to provide guidance on the PSAT report, so it’s worth the time and effort to read it!
- You get a practice SAT essay graded for free! Another great way to boost your PSAT scores is to take advantage of this free practice essay. You can find more details on the Khan Academy website.
What If You Haven’t Taken the PSAT or SAT Yet?
If you haven’t taken the PSAT or SAT yet, you can still access the Official SAT Practice dashboard. You’ll be asked to take a full-length SAT practice test on Khan Academy or you can opt to answer a series of shorter diagnostic tests. Your strengths and weaknesses are analyzed in the same way the official PSAT or SAT. And you’ll gain access to a personalized study plan and your own SAT Dashboard.
The more tools you have in your SAT prep arsenal the better. Khan Academy can make studying for the SAT a breeze. It helps by delivering personalized study plans tailored to your previous SAT results. Be sure to sign up even if you haven’t taken the official SAT or PSAT yet if you’re planning on taking one soon. Every little bit helps and getting a jumpstart on your studying can make a difference in your available opportunities down the line!
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Wow the College Board must be really desperate for people to take the SATs. With more and more colleges moving away from them and only looking at the ACTs I am thinking that the College Board needs to data mine more information from our children. The common core is a failure and many are banking on these new Common Core aligned College entrance exams to also be a failure. But not the college board. Bribing families to take it by offering “Free” tutoring is outrageous!
For the test to ask if a student wants his or her scores released to the Khan Academy sounds like the College Board has just crossed the line.
When did the PSAT/SAT become the shill for Khan Academy? That sounds like something the State Attorney General’s office should be looking into.