Like it or not, your kid's SAT score may seriously impact her college options. Will it be a SUNY college, or off to the Ivy League? Only the oracles at the College Board know for sure. Gone are the days of eating a good breakfast and crossing your fingers - these days, savvy teens prepare well in advance. Prep classes can be costly. Thankfully, several suburban libraries offer free practice exams administered by the Kaplan Test Center, so you can try before you buy.

The exams are open to residents and non-residents of the towns. Registration is required. Bring a No. 2 pencil, a calculator and a snack. There's no risk, and scores are not reported to colleges.

Teens can take a practice ACT - the preferred scholastic aptitude test of most Midwestern colleges - at the Pittsford Community Library, 24 State Street, 248-6275, on Sunday, November 11, noon-4:30 p.m. Go to townofpittsford.com or call 248-6275.

A practice SAT will be offered at the Penfield Public Library, 1985 Baird Road, on Monday, November 12, 1-4:45 p.m. (don't worry; there's no school that day). Students and parents will get results, tips, and strategies at the follow-up session on November 21 (also no school), 1-2:30 p.m. Visit penfieldlibrary.org or call 340-8720.

The Irondequoit Public Library's Evans Branch, 45 Cooper Road, has a practice SAT on Saturday, November 17, 12-4 p.m. Additional SAT prep will be offered this spring. Visit libraryweb.org/irondequoit or call 336-6062.

The Fairport Public Library, 1 Village Landing, gets into the act with practice SAT exams on January 5, February 2, and March 22, 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Register for one or all three. Each exam is different. Several college-bound workshops are offered through March 2008, including "Personal Statement 101" on November 28 6:30-7:30 p.m. Go to fairportlibrary.org or call 223-9091.

Practice SAT, PSAT, and ACT exams have been offered at the Webster Public Library, 980 Ridge Road, which anticipates offering a practice SAT in February or April. Info at websterlibrary.org, or call 872-7075.