Any suggestions for a good SAT Prep course

Parents Forum
1

<p>There are so many available. Not sure which one is the best - KAPLAN, GROCKIT etc. Any recommendations would be welcome. Thanks.</p>

2

<p>My son did pretty well with testtakers. He upped his score 450 points. </p>

3

<p>There is some great self study programs on the SAT forum by @Xiggi and @silverturtle. Yes, it’s hard to compare group, class SAT prep courses. I like Elite in CA because it clumps kids together based on pre-test score so that all of the 2100+ are together, the 1900+ are together, the 1600+ together, the almost 2400 are together and then they pace the classes and gear the study material based on the class knowledge. Elite is where lots of 2400 hopefuls go so the class is hardcore.</p>

<p>Order of preference for studying for SAT:

  1. Self study: if able to be motivated and organized. You can tailor your study to what you do not know
  2. Private tutor: tailored towards what you do not know by someone else
  3. Small group classes: some tailoring. Some time spent reviewing stuff you already know
  4. Large group classes: no tailoring. Spending lots of time reviewing stuff you already know.
    Benefits to 2-4 is that it forces you to study and to take full length practice tests, which is what is really needed to boost scores.</p>
4

<p>Which course/route is best depends on the student’s needs and goals. Grouping by diagnostic score is a very good sign. If the student is scoring around 500 on all 3 sections, then an ordinary course may serve well. If the scores are lopsided, a tutor may give you better value than a course.</p>

5

<p>what geographic area are you from? lots of good courses - but depends on where you live. </p>

6

<p>We live near Baltimore, Maryland. </p>

7

<p>Consumerreports looked at online options and rated a free prep course, number2.com, at the top. </p>

<p>I’d also recommend the College Board online prep, under the assumption it make sense to pay attention to resources created by the organization that writes the test.</p>

<p>It’s less expensive than the for profit programs, and many inner-city high schools can have free access to it. </p>