Anonymous
Post 07/31/2023 13:36     Subject: are SAT prep classes really any better than just using books?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote: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.

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]

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 how 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!


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.



Also depends upon your starting score---if your kid scores 1400 already you might only see a 50-100 bump. But also if their initial is 1100, you probably are not getting to 1500 in most cases either
Anonymous
Post 07/31/2023 13:30     Subject: are SAT prep classes really any better than just using books?
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).


Clarification: my kid did a class, not one on one tutoring. But they group the kids by their needs.
Anonymous
Post 07/31/2023 13:29     Subject: are SAT prep classes really any better than just using books?
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).
Anonymous
Post 07/31/2023 13:20     Subject: are SAT prep classes really any better than just using books?
It really depends on the student and how he or she learns best. For whatever it is worth, my kid found the Khan Academy exercises kind of fun and they prepared her well.
Anonymous
Post 07/31/2023 13:19     Subject: are SAT prep classes really any better than just using books?
Is prep really worth it if most colleges are moving to test optional?
Anonymous
Post 07/31/2023 13:17     Subject: are SAT prep classes really any better than just using books?
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.


Anonymous
Post 07/31/2023 13:11     Subject: are SAT prep classes really any better than just using books?
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.
Anonymous
Post 07/31/2023 13:02     Subject: are SAT prep classes really any better than just using books?
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.
Anonymous
Post 07/31/2023 13:01     Subject: Re:are SAT prep classes really any better than just using books?
Anonymous wrote:It depends on how motivated the kid is and how much disposable income the parents have. That’s it.


This. I have two kids. One isn’t that motivated to take advantage of tutoring and will do the minimum either way. He will go through some free online prep but isn’t going to study on his own, deeply analyzing weaknesses and then study. If he takes a class, he will zone out. We aren’t paying for tutoring unless something changes and he’s motivated to take advantage of it. This is what TO is for if it doesn’t go well.

Our other kid will be super attentive, listen to a tutor, practice and study. We are willing to do a few sessions if she wants. It could help with merit aid.

I wouldn’t do private tutoring in OPs case. Your kid is going through examples and identifying weaknesses. Save your money.
Anonymous
Post 07/31/2023 12:57     Subject: are SAT prep classes really any better than just using books?
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.

holy shlte.. I would hope so.

Exactly. We get what we pay for.
Anonymous
Post 07/31/2023 12:55     Subject: are SAT prep classes really any better than just using books?
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.


OP here. So anyone not scoring a 1550 on the practice test (my standard for "not needing prep") is not motivated enough to study on their own?


I think you’re joking but in any event: my own unmotivated kid scored 1100ish on his first practice test. After thousands of dollars, he scored 1480 on his first SAT attempt. He wants to take once more to try to break 1500. If we didn’t have the money, I’d insist that he study on his own.
Anonymous
Post 07/31/2023 12:55     Subject: Re:are SAT prep classes really any better than just using books?
Anonymous wrote:The Khan Academy link to College Board identifies items your kid has missed on the practice tests and will suggest practice problems and instructional resources. So just as good as a tutor if your kid is self-motivated and self-directed. The tutor mainly is a way to focus attention. I told my kid if they could self-tutor and improve their score I'd give them $1 a point (so if the score went up 100 they got $100) otherwise the money would go to paying a tutor. This plus their own motivation to study to improve their scores was enough. I more billed it as--let's just try and see if you can be your own tutor before shelling out money for a formal tutor.

I'm not one for giving money for grades, but I kinda like this idea.
Anonymous
Post 07/31/2023 12:54     Subject: are SAT prep classes really any better than just using books?
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.

holy shlte.. I would hope so.
Anonymous
Post 07/31/2023 12:51     Subject: are SAT prep classes really any better than just using books?
Anonymous wrote:The kids that need prep are generally not motivated enough to study on their own with just books, OP.

Since you asked.


OP here. So anyone not scoring a 1550 on the practice test (my standard for "not needing prep") is not motivated enough to study on their own?

Anonymous
Post 07/31/2023 11:46     Subject: are SAT prep classes really any better than just using books?
The kids that need prep are generally not motivated enough to study on their own with just books, OP.

Since you asked.