<p>I think you should start out with a class just to get you going on the right path. After that, you should be able to know what you need to self study. Though, I recommend you really look at what the class does before you take it. For example, I had gone to one class that gave you lesson packets and a specific target area each class. The teachers were also very experienced (as in, they gave thorough explanations that really made you understand what the College Board wants, and they gave you more than one strategy for each type of question so you could choose which one suited you the best.) This class really helped me raise my score.</p>
<p>I also took another one that was probably the most unhelpful thing I have taken. There were two sessions- all you did during the first one was take the test. The second one, they went over general strategies like "use your time wisely" or "go over your math notes" or "try to use a few long words in your essay." All I got from it was the blue book it came with. (for $80 grrr...)</p>
<p>i think a prep class is sorta like a placebo effect that gives you some confidence. i improved 160 points from my last score. the strange thing was that i took classes for CR and went from 700 -> 710 (although i think this is a fluke, should be considerably higher). writing went from 690 -> 760, and i just like read the kaplan grammar stuff. as i junior, i was in calc bc, so my math isnt too bad, but this time i was way more careful and went from 710->780.</p>
<p>in a nutshell i'll say that if u lack the self control to study effectively (and on a consistent basis) then take the prep class. i lacked focus and didnt study for the oct 06 test and got slaughtered</p>