I can vouch for tutoring. D17 took the old SAT last Nov and Jan and scored 1240 on Math/Verbal both times. Then after 2 months of weekly individual tutoring scored a 1390 on the NEW SAT. There is some inflation on the new SAT but not 150 points. And she will take SAT again on October. Got 29 on ACT in June and will retake this in Sept. Bottom line, we were stuck between the old and new SATs. Ideally, for D19, we plan for her taking SAT twice as a junior, maybe MArch and May or June, and then again in October, with some summer tutoring.
Regarding SAT 2. D17 had 650 in both American Hx and Bio/Env. Got 4 in APUSH and 5 in Env, so SAT 2s were low and we will likely not use them, and they were only considered at one school. D17 actually likes taking these tests, likes the tutoring, though she did ZERO prep on her own for SAT or SAT2.