are SAT prep classes really any better than just using books?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Private SAT prep is a billion dollar business. What do you think?

My friend's kid, a B student, had a 900 SAT.

Parents sent him to SAT tutoring. 8K later he bumped up to a 1400 SAT.

but 1400 is not inline with a B (3.0/3.2 student). That actually makes them look lazy and unmotivated, because obviously they are smart and just don't put the effort in at school. So it's a catch 22--submitting that score could harm just as much as it helps

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is prep really worth it if most colleges are moving to test optional?

Yes, 4-6 hours and then test once or twice. Simply because if you live in a zip code where most can afford test prep and don't submit a score, it might be assumed the score is not good.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think the tutoring is good because the setting (and timed conditions) are more like the real test . They will also work with the kid on their weaknesses. My kid also found the structure useful (vs having the discipline to focus on that , regularly, with the distractions of home).

And the key is your kid's specific weaknesses. The tutor should go over 1 on 1 with your kid their mistakes and pattern of mistakes for their practice test(s). That way you focus time/effort on what matters.

[Anonymous]

My kid did the free online prep course but then we paid for a few hours with a one or one Tutor to focus in on certain sticky areas. It turned out the she was missing one type of math problem which was an area that her math teacher just skipped during the online pandemic school when they only had 2 hours a week of math. She said she had not even realized that she didn’t know how to do that type of problem and had missed a bunch of content area from that class. So it was money well spent for her to make up what she missed in the pandemic. It only added 50 points to her score but I was just glad she learned what she was doing wrong!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The kids that need prep are generally not motivated enough to study on their own with just books, OP.

Since you asked.

Sweeping generalization. Well done. Top of the class for you.

It’s true, generally speaking.

Well, many of us would "prep" any kid who didn't get a 1500 on the first try.
And there are plenty of kids getting 1300-1500 on the first try who have the knowledge and discipline to self-prep.

Conversely, there are plenty who score 1500+ on the first try who wouldn't have the discipline to self-prep.

Word salad. Not many kids get a 1500 first try or 1500 without prep.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is prep really worth it if most colleges are moving to test optional?

Worth it only if you are "required" to submit your test score.

Glad they are doing away with it. Institutions are finally realizing little Johnny's parents paid for the SAT score!

[Anonymous]

How is he doing on the practice tests? If he is where he wants to be without a tutor, then I think you have your answer.

[Anonymous]

Kids can study on their own just fine but it does take some motivation and drive. The more practice you do the better and going through all your mistakes. Khan Academy is good test prep too

[Anonymous]

My son took a class with Capital Educators. The advantage of the class is that they simulate the real test experience so it's less scary when the kids actually take the test. In my son's class they had practice tests on multiple Saturday mornings. For the first practice test, my son forgot his calculator. Other kids forgot things too. It was great for him to get the kinks out prior to the real test.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think the tutoring is good because the setting (and timed conditions) are more like the real test . They will also work with the kid on their weaknesses. My kid also found the structure useful (vs having the discipline to focus on that , regularly, with the distractions of home).

And the key is your kid's specific weaknesses. The tutor should go over 1 on 1 with your kid their mistakes and pattern of mistakes for their practice test(s). That way you focus time/effort on what matters.

+1
And with a smart kid, that is how you go from a 13XX to a 1500+ with only 4-6 hours of tutoring. It's about identifying the weaknesses and patterns. Do that and the score goes up to their "ideal/natural" score in 4-6 hours typically, at most 10.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Private SAT prep is a billion dollar business. What do you think?

My friend's kid, a B student, had a 900 SAT.

Parents sent him to SAT tutoring. 8K later he bumped up to a 1400 SAT.

but 1400 is not inline with a B (3.0/3.2 student). That actually makes them look lazy and unmotivated, because obviously they are smart and just don't put the effort in at school. So it's a catch 22--submitting that score could harm just as much as it helps

OR it makes them look like they might have EF issues, not that they are necessarily lazy

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For my kid, individual tutoring (at $95/hour) was immensely helpful. Here is what it involved: Took a baseline/practice SAT. My kid then spent 4 hours of individual tutoring that was targeted specifically to the "tricks" and what my kid had done wrong. Then kid took another simulated/practice test (at 8am on a weekend at home). Test score went from 1330 up to 1490 with only those 4 hours.
Did another 2 hours of targeted tutoring, took another practice test and scored 1490. Then took the actual SAT, Scored 1490 and was done. Math was 790 and verbal was 700 and not likely to increase much without a lot of work.

Basically 4-6 hours was all that was needed. Because of the private tutoring, they taught more than just "tricks" but specifically analyzed what my kid was missing. Made the entire process simple.
Now, we decided to stop then, but if we had wanted to, another 10 hours of Verbal specific tutoring might have Gotten another 40-60 points but we determined it was not worth the effort/stress.

But basically that first baseline test and 4 hours of tutoring got my kid a 150 point bump and that is where all of their future Tests (practice and real) hovered around. I'm fairly certain it would have taken a lot more of my kid doing practices tests to get to that score---my kid knew the material and just needed the tricks/guidance for how to approach the test.

Similar story. DS took ACT and his diagnosis test scores in math/science were low to mid 20s and reading/English were in low 30s. Friend recommended tutor service (this is not DC and not $95/hour) where the primary focus is on weaker areas as opposed to equal time across four areas. DS spent time beefing up math as he had not learned some of the concepts yet along with demystifying science section. Did take some practice tests in English/reading just to keep pace.

Took test once with expectation that he would need to take again. I was hoping for him to get a 30. Got a 35 and he said, "I'm done!"

Some folks can do books/Khan academy. My DS needed one on one for a few hours a week for a month.

[Anonymous]

My teen is not self motivated so we paid for a class. Three practice tests and tutoring based on the results for $600. A self motivated kid could use the many free resources and get the same info.

[Anonymous]

I don't understand how someone who got through 10+ years of school without learning is going to learn from an SAT class