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

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]My kid has been working through several SAT prep books.
The books have lots of general strategy tips (about time management, choosing questions, etc) and then break down the types of problems (there is a finite number of types) and explain how to do each category.

Then there are a zillion practice problems.

[b]If a kid is doing all of this (and so far---about 3 weeks in, they are) is there any value to taking a course instead?

[b]What does a course (or individual tutoring) do?  [/b][/b]

Does a tutor/course mainly serve to keep a kid on-track and help with studying time-management?  I.e a kid is far more likely to actually study if a tutor is there making him do the work?

He's found that he understands all the explanations the book gives so it's not an issue of needing someone to actually explain from scratch [b]how[/b] to do things.  It's more that he's forgotten how to do a math concept (from Covid era geometry 2 years ago) and then reads the book's explanation and is like, "oh, right. I remember.  Got it".

Thank you![/quote]

Hello! I used to be a Kaplan test prep teacher and tutor so I can answer this for it.

Class: The material in the book is EXACTY THE SAME as what you find in the class. the only benefit of the class is if you are not self-motivated to work through the material. If you are self motivated, you don't have to. I will say, the classes work --  a lot of students like having the voice of the teacher in their head while they are working. And, depending on the class size, the teacher can help you figure out where your blocks are.

Tutoring: Now, this one is different. As a tutor, I spent a lot of time working with students to figure out exactly how they were thinking, and to figure out the best strategies for them to use (can be personalized). We would also go through every practice test together and go over their errors, figure out why they made and error, and give them stratagies so they don't make the same errors again. I was able to help students raise their scores by 200-300 points. I think, if you have the money, it can be very worth it.

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