<p>Our D has always done above average on standardized tests, but recently, (practice PSAT's & just okay showing on AP's) she feels that standardized tests are holding her back. She is ranked very high in class, she is a typical type A kid, hard worker, etc. She really wants to be a NM kid. (She took the PSAT as a freshman and would have missed the cut off by 5 points) She is already a bit freaked about October's PSAT. All of the PSAT prep classes in our area conflict directly with her band obligations. Band is her major EC and her passion, so no wiggle room there. I found a private tutor (who claims to improve SAT scores by 250-350 points, which I assume one could say the same for PSAT but 25-30....but seriously are they going to tell me "she might get better") This is a private tutor, not affiliated with any of the "big" education companies, but has good feedback from other parents in our community. The benefit of her, is she is willing to spend 2 hours each Sunday starting in four weeks until the PSAT. Anyone have experience in whether this helps? Is it worth the cost?</p>
<p>I would talk to the other parents directly. It sounds like it would be very much worth the cost if her scores are not in line with her rank and she doesn’t plan to focus on SAT optional schools. She should also try the ACT.</p>
<p>One thing to note is that unless she is applying to ivies and their peers, scores are way more important than ECs. At the highly competitive schools she’ll need excellence in both.</p>
<p>OUr experience is that the private tutor – 2 hrs a week on Sunday morning with some homework in between – was well worth it. My S achieved score increases similar to what your tutor suggests she can achieve.</p>
<p>If she missed the cut-off for National Merit as a freshman, I doubt you have much to worry about. Both my sons had substantial improvements in their PSAT scores from sophomore to junior year, and even larger improvements from 8th grade SAT scores to 11th grade ones with minimal prep work. If she’s willing to work with a private tutor and you can afford it, I’m sure there will be some score improvement, but often scores improve just from the extra year in school as well.</p>
<p>I’m sure like many other parents, especially kids in big EC’s sometimes you just feel like you are bleeding to death. I call it feeding the beast that is D’s checking account…lol. I guess only time will tell if writing this check tonight (which I have decided to do) is worth it. I sure hope it is, and no matter what the score in the end, her piece of mind alone is worth the cost.</p>
<p>collegeshopping–that was what I was going to say–if she’s asking for this and you can afford it, yes. For her peace of mind and that alone will raise her score, I’ll bet.</p>