 A good homeschool offers better college preparation than that offered in private or public schools, especially if the student is self-taught. Academically, the homeschooled student escapes being reduced to the lowest common denominator in classroom schools, and he escapes the examples and peer pressures that are exerted both academically and socially by fellow students and teachers whose preparation for college is generally poor. By self-teaching, he also avoids the limits of academic knowledge and study habits that may exist with his parents and siblings in his own homeschool.
One caution: some homeschool programs are academically keyed to public school "grade levels." Do not believe that completion of these programs necessarily gives good college preparation. "Grades 1 to 12" are, in many cases, merely normalizing concepts whereby all students are lowered to the levels of the poorest students.
The Big Tests
A homeschooled student should be prepared for high performance on the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) and on the College Board Advanced Placement (AP) Tests. Acceptance by a prestigious college or university is assured with perfect performance on these tests. Even more, high performance on the AP Tests can noticeably reduce the time that the student must spend at a university.
If the student wants to acquaint himself with the form and timing of SAT exams during the year preceding the SAT exam, he should take about 10 practice SAT exams at home. During the two months prior to the AP Exams, the student should take one practice exam in each subject. In order to have the possibility for maximum advanced placement, a student should take nearly 12 or more of these exams in different subjects.
Local high schools give all of these exams. Since public school students are so poorly prepared, only two or three AP exams are given. You can get practice SATs at local book stores, while practice AP Exams can be given by the College Board organization. It will be good to ask the local high school for the College Board's address and phone number when you register several months early for the exams. AP exams are given only once per year. Check this time with the high school.
These exams are formal, and taking practice exams can amend performance by acquainting a student with the testing method. You have to remember that the most important college preparatory work must be performed during the 11 years before these tests, mainly starting when the student is five or six years old. The tests are just ways of showing that the student has earned good study habits in a perfect study environment and has provided himself with industry to the acquisition of superior academic knowledge during those 11 years.
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