Recommendations on prep courses for PSAT (and SAT)

[Anonymous]

I’m a newbie on these matters. My son is a sophomore. My understanding is that he should plan to take the PSAT October next year (fall of his junior year) and SAT the year after (no later than fall of his senior year. Although he is a good student, he will probably need structure in preparing for these test (he probably won’t have the self-discipline to just rely on prep books). We are thinking about enrolling him in PSAT prep classes starting next spring, about six months before the PSAT. After the PSAT, during the spring of his junior year, we are thinking of enrolling him in SAT prep classes.

Does this plan make sense? Any recommendation for a prep course, in person or online? We are in Bethesda.

[Anonymous]

Most juniors took SAT today.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:SOME juniors took SAT today.

FTFY

The SAT is available in October, November, December, March, May, June, August.

PP - You are correct that August Sr. year is usually the last test. Going forward, all SATs will be digital. Some juniors didn't want to take that version, so they already are done (as of today). Plenty of juniors don't take the SAT until the spring.

[Anonymous]

Thanks! Any suggestions about prep courses?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thanks! Any suggestions about prep courses?

Make sure you give your kid time to take the formal SAT at least twice. So don't wait until Fall of senior year to take it for the first time. That's way too much pressure.

If you are looking for merit, it is worth studying for the PSAT since there's still time. There are a lot awards and significant scholarships that open up for being a National Merit Semifinalist. That would be the PSAT scores that determine that.

As for beginning to study for the SAT proper, I really wouldn't devote more than two months to it. Time your prep classes so that they begin roughly 8-12 weeks before the test. The SAT doesn't test beyond Algebra II so make the sure the student is beyond that when scheduling things.

In Bethesda, we used a tutor at Prep Matters. Very good. Met once a week. One ended up scoring 1500 on the SAT. And the other 35 on the ACT. You should probably take a timed test in each to see which you prefer. The ACT is easier but faster. The SAT is harder but slower. Most students have a preference for one or the other

[Anonymous]

Thanks! How would you compare Prep Matters with Kaplan or Princeton Review?

[Anonymous]

Applerouth

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Most juniors took SAT today.

DD (junior) took it today but said most of her class did not.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Most juniors took SAT today.

DD (junior) took it today but said most of her class did not.

Cause some took Nov and earlier. My daughters friends some taken it 1-3 times already as juniors.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Thanks! Any suggestions about prep courses?

Make sure you give your kid time to take the formal SAT at least twice. So don't wait until Fall of senior year to take it for the first time. That's way too much pressure.

If you are looking for merit, it is worth studying for the PSAT since there's still time. There are a lot awards and significant scholarships that open up for being a National Merit Semifinalist. That would be the PSAT scores that determine that.

As for beginning to study for the SAT proper, I really wouldn't devote more than two months to it. Time your prep classes so that they begin roughly 8-12 weeks before the test. The SAT doesn't test beyond Algebra II so make the sure the student is beyond that when scheduling things.

In Bethesda, we used a tutor at Prep Matters. Very good. Met once a week. One ended up scoring 1500 on the SAT. And the other 35 on the ACT. You should probably take a timed test in each to see which you prefer. The ACT is easier but faster. The SAT is harder but slower. Most students have a preference for one or the other

Some pre-calc doesnt hurt..

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Thanks! Any suggestions about prep courses?

Make sure you give your kid time to take the formal SAT at least twice. So don't wait until Fall of senior year to take it for the first time. That's way too much pressure.

If you are looking for merit, it is worth studying for the PSAT since there's still time. There are a lot awards and significant scholarships that open up for being a National Merit Semifinalist. That would be the PSAT scores that determine that.

As for beginning to study for the SAT proper, I really wouldn't devote more than two months to it. Time your prep classes so that they begin roughly 8-12 weeks before the test. The SAT doesn't test beyond Algebra II so make the sure the student is beyond that when scheduling things.

In Bethesda, we used a tutor at Prep Matters. Very good. Met once a week. One ended up scoring 1500 on the SAT. And the other 35 on the ACT. You should probably take a timed test in each to see which you prefer. The ACT is easier but faster. The SAT is harder but slower. Most students have a preference for one or the other

SAT English/Reading comp is definitely harder than ACT, but is slightly slower.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thanks! How would you compare Prep Matters with Kaplan or Princeton Review?

Wouldn't know. The thing about PrepMatters is that it's individualized. They work with a student to figure out their strengths and weaknesses and then plan accordingly. We found it very efficient. Both kids did all the homework and the practice tests. It's not magic. Students do need to be disciplined and motivated and be willing to do the work.

It is expensive though. I don't think we did more than 8 classes each. We regarded it as an investment. The kid with a 1500 was just before covid, when that was stilll a very good score. And a 35 is a 35. They both go to T20 schools so it was worth it for us.

[Anonymous]

We used Arborbridge and I was impressed with the quality of the tutors. DC went from a 32 to a 34 ACT with only about ten hours of tutoring. Even if you’ve already taken the test, they’ll have your kid take a diagnostic test and do a free evaluation of what areas they need to focus on and how much tutoring they recommend. They really didn’t try to upsell me to a more intensive program.

[Anonymous]

https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/745213.page#13471349

[Anonymous]

Fall of senior year is late for the first time to take the SAT. My kids both took it fall of junior year after preparing over the summer. That was early and depends what math they've taken, but it was so great to get it out of the way.