SAT prep

[Anonymous]

I have done a search and still very undecided about the best method for my kid to prepare for the August SATs. I think an in person class might be best, but there are very few classes offered in person. Any opinions on two week boot camp classes offered in August? (I think Montgomery college offers these). Is this really adequate time to prepare?

I have also considered the tutor route but isn’t taking the test one of the key aspects for preparation? Also, I am overwhelmed by the number of tutors and how to differentiate who would be good.

I believe from old threads that khan academy would be best, but my daughter is not disciplined enough at this stage for this approach.

[Anonymous]

I think you've left it too late for this August, tbh, unless your kid does an intensive course every day for 2 wks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think you've left it too late for this August, tbh, unless your kid does an intensive course every day for 2 wks.

Really? Eight weeks isn’t enough time? She did take a two week class last summer at St. Albans, but scores on PSATs were the same in August. Do you have any recommendations for intensive two week course?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think you've left it too late for this August, tbh, unless your kid does an intensive course every day for 2 wks.

Really? Eight weeks isn’t enough time? She did take a two week class last summer at St. Albans, but scores on PSATs were the same in August. Do you have any recommendations for intensive two week course?

I meant in October.

[Anonymous]

What's her practice test score?

[Anonymous]

For many kids, a tutor is more time-efficient than a class.

8 weeks is enough time for the right kid with the right tutor, but plan on completing the equivalent of a full test weekly until the August test date. So, minimum four test sections/week.

If the kid needs a ton of review of concepts of grammar and math, more time may be needed. But, a typical good student with a good tutor will get what they need over 8 weeks.

Plan on a possible second test in spring of junior year (or even fall senior year, if needed), but tutoring may not be needed. A score increase can often occur due to more experience with academic skills and the prior tutoring will carry over.

If 8 weeks isn't enough, 12 should be enough. Get set up with a tutor this week.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think you've left it too late for this August, tbh, unless your kid does an intensive course every day for 2 wks.

Really? Eight weeks isn’t enough time? She did take a two week class last summer at St. Albans, but scores on PSATs were the same in August. Do you have any recommendations for intensive two week course?

My kids are doing Princeton Review (one-on-two tutoring) but I think they have a bunch of online courses this summer that your kid could probably do.

https://www.princetonreview.com/?ExDT=2&gclid=Cj0KCQjwwISlBhD6ARIsAESAmp6AqBAOsZVFZblQ2zCW8jQoJMwLMJBipuF6iCiJelndVxa3qmjU_jIaAqI0EALw_wcB

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have done a search and still very undecided about the best method for my kid to prepare for the August SATs. I think an in person class might be best, but there are very few classes offered in person. Any opinions on two week boot camp classes offered in August? (I think Montgomery college offers these). Is this really adequate time to prepare?

I have also considered the tutor route but isn’t taking the test one of the key aspects for preparation? Also, I am overwhelmed by the number of tutors and how to differentiate who would be good.

I believe from old threads that khan academy would be best, but my daughter is not disciplined enough at this stage for this approach.

My son did the Prepexpert tutoring (online) for the August test a couple of years ago. 1590, one and done. They had a 6 week option back then.

[Anonymous]

Has she tried an ACT?

If she hasn't looked at any materials since taking the PSAT in October, see if you can get her to at least take an official SAT practice test on Khan Academy to see where she is now (after an additional year of school) and how much work she has to do. If she's not motivated to do Khan Academy practice, will she be motivated to do whatever work is assigned by a tutor or class instructor?

[Anonymous]

Prep1on1.com

Worked well for our kids

[Anonymous]

We went the tutor route (2nd for Prep 1on1) and with virtual sessions it was pretty easy to get scheduled. They do offer a free placement test, including taking both ACT and SAT which is important because there are strategies for which to use depending on strengths.

Please tell us this is for a rising junior. I do think you are a bit behind for August. Definitely prep now for October test admission, and perhaps August can be a trial.

[Anonymous]

This place worked for my kids - https://www.edgeed.com/assess-yourself

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This place worked for my kids - https://www.edgeed.com/assess-yourself

Can you say more about this? What did your kid like about it? Did it make a difference?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have done a search and still very undecided about the best method for my kid to prepare for the August SATs. I think an in person class might be best, but there are very few classes offered in person. Any opinions on two week boot camp classes offered in August? (I think Montgomery college offers these). Is this really adequate time to prepare?

I have also considered the tutor route but isn’t taking the test one of the key aspects for preparation? Also, I am overwhelmed by the number of tutors and how to differentiate who would be good.

I believe from old threads that khan academy would be best, but my daughter is not disciplined enough at this stage for this approach.

I taught SAT for Kaplan many, many years ago. FWIW, what I taught in the in-person class and what was in the self-study materials was virtually identical. I don't see the benefit of paying for one-on-one tutoring unless your child can't focus in class and really needs the attention for that reason. As far as bootcamp goes, as long as it includes as many hours of instruction as a regular course would, I think it would be fine. The issue is whether or not everything is covered. Also, FWIW, there is great value in taking practice tests -- familiarity can help with anxiety on test day.

Kaplan recruited me after I took their LSAT class and scored well. I took the LSAT class (all classes were in person back then) because I didn't feel I had enough self-discipline to cover as much ground myself if I just used the study books. So the class worked well for me.

I see Kaplan now has online live instruction SAT prep courses, and bootcamps as well that seem to cover the same exact info. You might look into them, but my educated guess is that most all of these prep courses are pretty much the same. Go with what you think is convenient and will work for your daughter.

Again, I really don't think paying money for the extra tutoring is necessary at all unless she has a pretty extreme focus issue. (I have ADD and wouldn't need it, but I would need the live class, if that makes sense.)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This place worked for my kids - https://www.edgeed.com/assess-yourself

Can you say more about this? What did your kid like about it? Did it make a difference?

Had two kids use the service of the Siverman’s. Son did week long course and a private session gained 150 points. Daughter took week long class and gained 130 points. In 2017 and 2019 respectively.

Both enjoyed it. Week long class has class competitions with cash prizes. Covered both the material as well as systemic cues in test to spot the right answer or limit guesses to 1 of 2 where problem may be difficult to solve.

They also help determine if SAT or ACT is likely to yield better results.