SAT/ACT Prep classes worth the money?

[allison443]

My child gets very anxious during tests. That's why I am considering test prep (maybe even one on one).

I really feel that familiarity with the tests is one of the main benefits of the test prep classes. My daughter recently completed a Kaplan class and I think they took 3 full-length SATs under testing conditions over the course of the program.
Good luck to your daughter!

 

[ilovedale3]

I do one-on-one SAT/ACT prep through a local tutoring facility (they also offer a SAT/ACT class). I definitely think it is worth it b/c the students I have tutored have seen great improvements in their scores (200 or more points on the SAT). With individual tutoring, I am able to focus on that student's strengths and weaknesses... for example, if they are weak in reading comprehension, we can focus mainly on that, whereas in a class setting they are not able to get the individualized help.

 

[itsmebabygi]

I don't know if test takers is a regional thing or if its everywhere, but I took a class after the first time that I took the SAT (I graduated in '04) because I felt there was a pretty big gap between my verbal (540) and math (760). I ended up with an 800 in math and a 680 in verbal, which I felt was a significant increase. My scholarship money I received was definitely more than the class cost. I don't know how much I would have gotten without it, but I'm assuming significantly less. I know a lot of others that took classes as well and they had similar results. I would say its worth it to get a scholarship from a school, but may not be a good idea to try to get into a better school based only on that.

 

[punkin]

I do one-on-one SAT/ACT prep through a local tutoring facility (they also offer a SAT/ACT class). I definitely think it is worth it b/c the students I have tutored have seen great improvements in their scores (200 or more points on the SAT). With individual tutoring, I am able to focus on that student's strengths and weaknesses... for example, if they are weak in reading comprehension, we can focus mainly on that, whereas in a class setting they are not able to get the individualized help.

How much does the one on one run and are the test improvements greater than the classes? Honestly, a 200 point improvement will put DD well within the range for the colleges she is interested. Anything more than that is just gravy.

 

[johnpettersat]

It's totally wastage of money to pay for Sat Preparation because it need to much of self study and ample of knowledge and this knowledge can only be gained when you do self study. I seen my of sat student preparing them self online. There are many site's like my-sat.com and many more which provide free online sat books.

 

[crisi]

You need to look at it individually.

If you are trying to get into a really competitive school - yeah, anything helps.

If you are a marginal student or marginal test taker to start with - it probably will help.

If you are dependent on scholarships that look at SAT scores, it might be worthwhile (but evaluate the cost of the class vs. the value of probable scholarships).

If you are a good student, good test taker, trying to get into a non-competitive school - no, why would you bother.

 

[imsayin]

If you are dependent on scholarships that look at SAT scores, it might be worthwhile (but evaluate the cost of the class vs. the value of probable scholarships).

The PSAT results are the basis of becoming a National Merit Scholar. There are many schools that give scholarships based on this standing alone. Many are full-rides. For my 2nd child, I will be prepping him for the PSAT!

 

[mjkacmom]

The PSAT results are the basis of becoming a National Merit Scholar. There are many schools that give scholarships based on this standing alone. Many are full-rides. For my 2nd child, I will be prepping him for the PSAT!

And this is exactly why my dd14, who is going to be a sophomore this year, is being tutored this summer for the PSAT's. It costs $75 per hour, once a week, plus homework. She will be assessed throughout the summer. She has a good GPA (4.3), and takes all honors classes. With 5 kids, we need all the $ we can get.

 

[csharpwv]

I am a college admissions counselor - PLEASE take my advice as what is best for 90% of students.

Take the ACT/SAT first WITHOUT test prep. Test prep CAN cause a student to door poorly on their first test. It's a mental thing -students, and their parents, and their test tutors all get psyched up - psyched out - and the student gets nervous and panics.

Take the test first without pressure, without ANY LEVEL of score expectations, and without preparation.

This allows the student to be acclimated to the test environment, and the test format.

When the scores come back, the student, parents, and test tutors will have a much better idea as to how their test prep time will be best spent.

I experienced something similar assisting a student last year - both of his parents are teachers - and they let him take the test his first time with no pressure - he scores a 26 - which is a decent score by nearly all measures. However, with the aid of a test tutor - his 2nd time taking the test - he bumped his score to a 31. He was able to prep for both his strengths AND his weaknesses - and it work out extremely well.

The biggest thing is to no stress out about it. Scores are scores are scores. I hear parent after parent after parent swear that their child COULD do better on the ACT or SAT if they would only try. Well, I hate to break it to all of those parents - if they student WANTED to do better, they would. Test - especially the ACT and SAT are great indicators of residual knowledge. That's that helps a student get through college. How much do they learn, retain, and then apply to more advanced concepts. College is not about rote learning - it is about critical thinking, application of knowledge, and grasping new concepts using foundation material as a frame of reference.

I'll get off of my soap box now!

 

[horseshowmom]

When I was still working in the Central Office, I was able to use grant money to bring in 3 teachers who did ACT classes for a community college about 50 miles from us.

Our district is very rural, and very few students would have the money to pay for a class of this type or the transportation to get there. The easiest way to get them to a class was to provide it on campus (we actually did it during the school day to provide for the greatest participation - a 3 or 4 hour session that was done once in the fall and once in the spring).

I surveyed the results and had quite a few students whose scores went up a couple of points. I had several who improved from 3 to 5 points (which is huge on the ACT).