Anonymous wrote:What grade should they prep?

Depends on how intensely they're prepping, how much of a score increase they want, if they want a high PSAT for NMSQ purposes, etc. If you want to go at a relaxed, sustainable pace of a few hours per week, the spring of 10th grade through summer is usually a good time to learn math and writing *content* via books like studylark writing, world, Erica meltzer, 1600.io orange book, and sat panda math, and the summer before 11th through fall of 11th is a good time to practice test taking strategy (sat prep black book, 1600.io's free strategy course), UWorld, past exams (look at Brian McElroy's blog for a lot), worked exam solution videos at 1600.io, etc.

What grade should they prep?

In my 12 years of experience tutoring, the kid has more to do with the results than any individual tutor or tutoring company. I've seen kids go up 430 points. I've had a dozen or so score 1550+ SAT or 35+ ACT in the last couple of years. These students get into it. They want to do well, dedicate time, and seem to manage themselves throughout the process. We as tutors, just have to provide the curriculum and help them jump through hurdles week-to-week.

Others are very difficult to motivate as they seem to forget about their assignments the moment the session ends, even when texted throughout the week. This is terrible if you're only meeting 1x / week. Some really struggle to learn material at a rate that is necessary for success in a one-on-one setting. Consider a classroom model that has the student practicing work several hours a week in these situations.

My experienced opinion is that you will likely end up applying test optional if your son/daughter is starting with SAT scores below 1000 or if a student in the 11th grade algebra 2 track (although there are exceptions to this - namely held back due to switching schools). If you find yourself in this position late in your junior year, I would consider the alternative of foregoing test prep and would simply choose to apply test optional before investing in prep services. I'm sure your child has other skills/talents that will get them through life. We have a robust economy.

If your son/daughter is capable of scoring 1250+ cold, they are certainly capable of scoring 1450-1600 with prep (think 6-10 tutoring sessions with 2-3 hours of homework assignments in between).

Would love to see this blow up with other tutors' opinions on the matter.

I was expecting to hear about Kaplan or Princeton Review, but I don't have any personal experience with this kind of thing. When I took the SAT in the stone age, such things weren't expected.

Prep Matters in Bethesda. It helped increase her score 150 points. They are super reliable and I highly recommend them.

Our 3 attended prep1on1.com, which is now located on Cabin John shopping mall (it didn't used to be). One ended up with a 35 on their ACT after tutoring, one and done, the other went from a 32 to a 34 and decided they were done.

They first do a diagnostic test (1/2 SAT and 1/2 ACT) to determine which would be a better fit. You also send them all MS and HS report cards. Parents and student meet with them, and talk about goals, and then they suggest xx tutors for xx weeks (one tutor for English, one tutor for math/science). Not cheap, but worked

I am interested as well. Would like to know.

If your son/daughter went for SAT prep, can you please share if it worked or didn't work with improving their scores? Please include the name of the provider. Thanks in advance!