<p>i'm sure classes would be better... but to what degree?</p>
<p>Depends on the class, and what kind of student you are. For some people, they're helpful. For others, classes are a waste of time and money. Usually, or at least in my class, you work with books in classes anyway. I'd say get a book, take a practice test, and see how you do. If you do pretty well, find it rather easy, or just make stupid mistakes, I'd say practice on your own. If you're above a certain level, classes won't help much with those extra few points. I really regretted wasting so much time in a prep class.</p>
<p>thank-you.</p>
<p>i think that group classes do not help if you are scoring 2000 or above. Like writonthetransom said, if you are above a certain level, an intense, uber expensive private tutor will give you more results than a regular prep class that is designed to help a wide RANGE of students. </p>
<p>I took a princeton review class, but beyond the jejune methods of "Joe Bloggs," "estimated guessing," and plug in the answers!, I didn't learn much. in fact, I learned more from reading posts on this site than from the PR class. And also, most big prep companies use the SAME techniques over and over again: estimated guessing (princeton review uses the polished name "POE" for it, but it's the same thing) and Plug in all the answers when you are stuck.</p>
<p>Whoo hoo! way to dumbmerize students.</p>
<p>lyly,
It really depends on the class and how much discipline you have to self-study. For instance, my D's HS offered a class that ran for a couple of hours on Saturdays for a month or two before the May SAT. It really only gave some basics to get the kids familiar with the format of the test and what types of questions are asked. They ended up doing only one practice test (w/o the essay). It was better than taking the SAT cold, but I wouldn't call it solid preping for math, vocab, etc. This is the only prep class I'm familiar with, other courses may be better.</p>
<p>If you're the type that can sit down and work through several practice tests, spending the time to understand why you answered questions correctly and incorrectly, that is the type of prep that will really help improve your scores. However, you have to be able to sit down and do it, if you can't, you're likely better with a class.</p>
<p>I agree with tofu, my D's friends who took the class scored between 1700-2000.</p>
<p>I also don't think classes will be very helpful if you are scoring above 1800, but most of the kids in the classes score low and aren't motivated enough to study on themselves. I personally don't see much use in classes, as most of the people who took SAT classes every Saturday morning scored in the 1600's, while I did not take any class and scored much higher than them. It really depends on your situation and motivation. If you're really there is do better and your score is low, then the class might help.</p>
<p>Advantages of studying on your own are you can study on your own time and make your own schedule. You can focus on what you need to work on rather than doing what the class is doing. For example, after taking a few practice tests my weakness was in the mc writing section, so I got a book that focuses on that section and am working my way sucessfully through that. Studying on your own is much more flexible. Also, if you do decide to self-study, get the blue book and the answer explainations online. They are very helpful.</p>