Anonymous
Post 07/21/2025 12:42     Subject: DC didn’t do SAT prep
DP. It is true that some kids will study for a class and pay more attention than they would if self-studying.

Some of the kids who self-study have great results because they have a great foundation AND they are determined. Kids who lack the math foundation likely can't get those results.
Anonymous
Post 07/21/2025 12:24     Subject: DC didn’t do SAT prep
Does your son want to bring up his score? You don’t need a lot of money. You need motivation to practice. Without that you are wasting the money anyhow. There are tons of free resources and low cost programs for motivated students.
Anonymous
Post 07/21/2025 12:06     Subject: DC didn’t do SAT prep
How can someone making 140k not afford $2,000 of test prep? Crazy.
Anonymous
Post 07/21/2025 11:44     Subject: DC didn’t do SAT prep
Anonymous wrote:Ex H didn’t want to pay for SAT prep for our son because “he should just be able to do it himself online” which is technically true.
But in reality our teen has spent his time working and doing his sports and goofing around with friends the rest of the time. He got a 1320 in the spring which was surprisingly low even knowing he did not prep, as he usually scores well on standardized tests without prep, but SAT is different. I think he will improve it this fall based on knowing more what to expect but I doubt he’ll knock it out of the park.

His grades are good not spectacular (a couple of Bs freshman year when he was struggling emotionally with his dad being absent) so I was counting on a strong SAT score to increase his options. I underestimated how many kids around here prep, but without his dad on board I couldn’t swing it on my own financially.

My fear is we live in NoVa, I make 140k (but only after years of making far less or SAHM) and AOs assume we prep, so if he only gets up to a 1400 then he must be pretty mid. I don’t think his grades will cut it by going TO. I hate this whole system. End rant.


DCUMers who pay for prep (but don’t admit it) will post do Khan Academy....you don't need test prep!!!

Make the financial sacrifice and pay for test prep. Depending on desired school, a few Bs and a 1400 won't cut it.
Anonymous
Post 07/21/2025 11:44     Subject: DC didn’t do SAT prep
Anonymous wrote:OP, is this more of an issue between you and Ex H? If you are earning 140K, you should be able to afford 1-2K prep class. I don't quite get it.


Agree. I’m the same HHI as a single parent whose dad only recently started paying a nominal amount of CS ($500) and I’m paying for prep.
Anonymous
Post 07/21/2025 11:38     Subject: DC didn’t do SAT prep
Anonymous wrote:I’m quick to jump on men who suck, but honestly you may displacing anger here. This particular issue actually can be solved with the free khan academy tutorials. I know it’s less efficient than a 1-on-1 tutor and definitely requires more motivation by your DC, but tons of kids don’t have expensive prep (even though it feels like they all do).
There also inexpensive prep. You can do the larger classes or online groups. Maybe that’s the compromise?


This, 💯.

OP: “Ex H didn’t want to pay for SAT prep for our son because “he should just be able to do it himself online” and
“ I was counting on a strong SAT score to increase his options. I underestimated how many kids around here prep, but without his dad on board I couldn’t swing it on my own financially.”

Also OP:

He goofed around all summer even tho OP agrees that ex H was right in that he cld have self studied.

OP has known all summer kid had a 1320from the last attempt, that she believed he cld improve, that kid was wasting time this summer, that ex wasn’t going to pay for a share of prep, that when ex said kid could self study for free she agreed that was “technically true,” and yet…

It is not all ex’s fault bc “without his dad on board” she couldn’t swing it on her own financially.

Then she also blamed the system.

OP: stop dogging your ex for everything, stop placing blame where it doesn’t belong (the system and ex).

Anonymous
Post 07/21/2025 11:32     Subject: DC didn’t do SAT prep
A 1320 is something like 85th percentile. Khan Academy is free. You can buy an asynchronous online course from other companies for $200-$300. Most kids do this or less. Your kid’s grades are good. The people on DCUM have a ridiculously skewed view of everything.
Anonymous
Post 07/21/2025 11:07     Subject: DC didn’t do SAT prep
With the ex saying things like only the top schools are worth attending and if you don’t get in it isn’t worth going to college at all, but also dismissing and discounting the value of SAT prep, is there a possibility that he’s trying to sabotage the whole thing so he doesn’t have to pay for college? Does he want your son to go into the trades or military or something totally different?
Anonymous
Post 07/21/2025 11:07     Subject: DC didn’t do SAT prep
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:1. Your son’s SAT score is better than fine.

2. If you can’t even afford to spring for an SAT prep course then you ain’t paying for your kid to go to a private college.

3. Your kid ain’t getting into UVA, W&M and probably Tech regardless.

4. So JMU it is. And it’s a great school.

5. Stop blaming your ex for your kid’s laziness.


#5, I thought Ex is a jerk. Pretty unreasonable. The kid may not tit, we just don’t know.


^ may not have it
Anonymous
Post 07/21/2025 11:04     Subject: DC didn’t do SAT prep
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:1. Your son’s SAT score is better than fine.

2. If you can’t even afford to spring for an SAT prep course then you ain’t paying for your kid to go to a private college.

3. Your kid ain’t getting into UVA, W&M and probably Tech regardless.

4. So JMU it is. And it’s a great school.

5. Stop blaming your ex for your kid’s laziness.


1. See PP’s post about TO and how it has led to SAT inflation and intimidation due to kids with lesser scores not submitting.

2. OP can afford it but does not want to set a precedent with ex H.


Where are you getting this from?? She said:

“without his dad on board I couldn’t swing it on my own financially.”
Anonymous
Post 07/21/2025 11:03     Subject: DC didn’t do SAT prep
Anonymous wrote:1. Your son’s SAT score is better than fine.

2. If you can’t even afford to spring for an SAT prep course then you ain’t paying for your kid to go to a private college.

3. Your kid ain’t getting into UVA, W&M and probably Tech regardless.

4. So JMU it is. And it’s a great school.

5. Stop blaming your ex for your kid’s laziness.


#5, I thought Ex is a jerk. Pretty unreasonable. The kid may not tit, we just don’t know.
Anonymous
Post 07/21/2025 11:01     Subject: DC didn’t do SAT prep
#3 is most certainly correct
Anonymous
Post 07/21/2025 10:57     Subject: DC didn’t do SAT prep
Anonymous wrote:1. Your son’s SAT score is better than fine.

2. If you can’t even afford to spring for an SAT prep course then you ain’t paying for your kid to go to a private college.

3. Your kid ain’t getting into UVA, W&M and probably Tech regardless.

4. So JMU it is. And it’s a great school.

5. Stop blaming your ex for your kid’s laziness.


this is totally uncalled for - and incorrect, especially 3.
Anonymous
Post 07/21/2025 10:57     Subject: DC didn’t do SAT prep
Anonymous wrote:1. Your son’s SAT score is better than fine.

2. If you can’t even afford to spring for an SAT prep course then you ain’t paying for your kid to go to a private college.

3. Your kid ain’t getting into UVA, W&M and probably Tech regardless.

4. So JMU it is. And it’s a great school.

5. Stop blaming your ex for your kid’s laziness.


DP.

#5 No, another parent actively discrediting the value of something (i.e. test prep class) or valuing it, can have an impact on how it is received by a DC who tends toward being lazy or is not a self-starter.

Maybe you can pitch it to the X that higher SAT score is likely to lead to more scholarship opportunities for the student (less $ for X to pay) as well as opening up DCs options. Also, it does sound like you, X, and DC should talk to guidance counselor and see the data 9Naviance, etc.) to get a realistic understanding of what is possible with your DCs current grades and SATs.
Anonymous
Post 07/21/2025 10:54     Subject: DC didn’t do SAT prep
Anonymous wrote:Ex H didn’t want to pay for SAT prep for our son because “he should just be able to do it himself online” which is technically true.
But in reality our teen has spent his time working and doing his sports and goofing around with friends the rest of the time. He got a 1320 in the spring which was surprisingly low even knowing he did not prep, as he usually scores well on standardized tests without prep, but SAT is different. I think he will improve it this fall based on knowing more what to expect but I doubt he’ll knock it out of the park.

His grades are good not spectacular (a couple of Bs freshman year when he was struggling emotionally with his dad being absent) so I was counting on a strong SAT score to increase his options. I underestimated how many kids around here prep, but without his dad on board I couldn’t swing it on my own financially.

My fear is we live in NoVa, I make 140k (but only after years of making far less or SAHM) and AOs assume we prep, so if he only gets up to a 1400 then he must be pretty mid. I don’t think his grades will cut it by going TO. I hate this whole system. End rant.


We're at MCPS and a lot of kids here have paid prep too however there are also a lot of kids who prep on their own using Khan Academy, books, etc. and they kill it. The kids who are prepping on their own (vs. those in the group classes) anecdotally seem to be doing better. Get the SAT Prep Black Book.