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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Sophomore admissions used to require PSAT or SAT. There are free, widely available prep materials for these tests at Khan Academy which any student can access. PSAT/SAT are the way that talented, economically disadvantaged students can distinguish themselves, which is why colleges are going back to requiring them. TJ should also go back to requiring PSAT/SAT for sophomore applications, just as they currently do for junior applications.[/quote]

Sadly the free stuff just doesn't compare to the more expensive classes offered by many places like Princeton Review.[/quote]
Many students have good results from just using Khan and review books from Amazon.[/quote]

It helped mine too but later when they went to Princeton review their score went up over 200 points. My conclusion is that free stuff just isn't anywhere near as good, and you get what you pay for...[/quote]

It really depends on the student.
The primary difference between Khan Academy and Princeton Review is motivation.
At princeton review, you sit inn a class and are spoon fed the material.
With Khan academy, you have to be more self motivated.

We have seen (at least at highly selective institutions) that test scores do not reflect wealth.  They reflect academic ability.
See Opportunity Inisights research on the SATs[/quote]

But academic ability is so greatly enhanced by wealth. I mean places like Princeton review guarantee 200+ point improvement. [/quote]

First of all test scores do not seem to be artificially inflated for wealthier kids.
See Opportunity Insights research on sat scores and income.

I used to work for princeton review and kaplan as an instructor then a tutor and I promise you, there is little that princeton review and kaplan knows that khan academy does not know.
This was decades ago but I think kaplan asked me for my tests scores and had some cutoffs and I think I took a test.  They had me explain something in front of other kids but they seemed much more focused on my past test scores.  I think they look for instructors that are smarter than the students.
I think Princeton review kind of just asked me to talk in front of a classroom full of other kids trying out for a job.  I think they just picked the most attractive kids that could speak well in front of an audience.  It was more like an audition than an interview.  I think they look for instructors that will engage and keep the attention of high school, juniors.

As for their guarantees, the Princeton review's 150 point guarantee (and kaplan's guarantee and pretty much everyone's guarantee) is based off of either an official test that you have already taken or their diagnostic test and the higher your diagnostic test score, the smaller the guaranteed improvement.
Their diagnostic test is harder than the actual test so if you haven't taken the SAT yet, it is going to based off this diagnostic which yields a test score that is artificially deflated.
Also they don't refund the value of the books and material and guess how much of your fee is books and materials?

If your kids is not very motivated, then these places will help with that (the guarantees are only good if your student does all the work).
But I promise you, there is little that these places know that khan academy does not.[/quote]

All I know is my kid only scored 1320 but after the Kaplan course went up to 1540. It was worth every penny.[/quote]

Yep, you get what you pay for. The PP is just trying to diminish the impact of SES on academic performance, but it's well documented in peer reviewed studies. There is no disputing that wealth and privilege confer a massive advantage. [/quote]

Sure, wealth and privilege provides more ability to develop your potential but it is not the only factor.  
If it were then we wouldn't see 25% of asians getting a 1400 or higher on their SAt while 6% of whites get 1400 or higher.

And in the end, the test score reflects ability and not wealth.
That is also based on peer reviewed studies.

It will always be harder for poorer kids to develop their academic potential but their SAT score differential is not based on access to princeton review.  
[b]The differential is due to a lifetime of less development and enrichment compared to their wealthier peers[/b].[/quote]

Development and enrichment - such as TJ. 
 
TJ applicants are all just kids. They all deserve a chance to grow and foster their love of STEM. Even if they weren’t lucky enough to be born into a wealthy family.

TJ exists for development and enrichment; it’s not just a prize for lucky kids. 
[/quote]
But it was just easier when you could just buy the test and guarantee your kid would get a top notch education.[/quote]

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