<p>So I've been studying for the SAT all summer.. months and months.. I improved my score from a 1800 to a 2100. Not the best, but I'm getting there, my goal is a 2300. </p>
<p>Now, I had taken a prep class before but did not find it much help besides familiarizing myself with the test.</p>
<p>So, fast forward to October, and my parents just now want to get involved with my SAT studying.. and I tell them, at 2100, the best and most I can do is practice by myself, keep doing problems and keep trying. Yet, my parents absolutely INSIST (for really no good reason besides to "keep me occupied" and "give me more materials") that I take a Kaplan SAT prep class.</p>
<p>Kaplan SAT prep class is for beginners and teaches the basics. The classes cost 700 dollars and it would be during a weekend day, time I would rather spend studying by myself at my own pace, and doing work for regular school, especially during my junior year with AP courses and whatnot. My dad even had me call one of his friends' daughters who got a 2370, and she explained to both me and my dad that the classes were no help. However, he still insists that I take these freaking classes. The "give me more materials" reason is complete BS, considering the only materials they could possibly give me are CollegeBoard questions (which I have access to all CB questions released publicly) and Kaplan SAT questions, which are not like real SAT questions in terms of type, format, and difficulty.</p>
<p>The other option I was given was for my dad to sit me down alone for 4 hours every Sunday and look over me taking tests. And I wanted that option but that obviously was just trying to goat me into something, because even when I went with that they still insisted that I take the classes. </p>
<p>What can I do? What can I possibly say? Do you think it would just be a good idea for me to take the classes at this point? They're already mad at me and arguing with me about it, when it's practically a no-brainer....</p>
<p>^Of course</p>
<p>The thing is I would be fine with taking classes if it was one that could actually yield potential benefits, like a 1-on-1 tutor or maybe an advanced class… and even then, they still insist that I take the Kaplan class. Kaplan of all things.</p>
<p>the tutor sounds like a good idea. what’s their problem with that?</p>
<p>They think Kaplan has some expertise you need (right or wrong). We did the approach of having my kids study with me overseeing on Sunday afternoons (usually a couple of hours, not four). My D2 got a 2380 superscore, so it worked for us… but do you really want to spend four hours weekly with your dad breathing over your shoulder? I say take the class if they insist, and really look for the small things you aren’t getting yet. Also try to use the time to improve your speed on the stuff you do get, as running out of time is an issue for many students.</p>
<p>@clementines Apparently their reason is that it’s hard to find one and it would be inconvenient for me to get there… Plus it would be too expensive, ALTHOUGH in my dad’s exact words “money isn’t an issue, only time”. My mom would drive me there but she has fear of the road or something and makes up her own excuse as to why it would be inconvenient, I don’t even know. And for some reason the tutor needs to be somebody we know personally.</p>
<p>@intparent, there are about a trillion, definitely a billion, other alternatives for me to look over the small things, than take a beginner’s SAT prep class. This isn’t really about the SAT, as much as it is my parent’s stubbornness about this situation.</p>
<p>Oh, and one of the reasons they offered for not allowing my dad to just look over and sit down and help me for 4 hours is that he doesn’t have time… which is strange when considering why they would bring up that option in the 1st place if they didn’t have time. And even more strange when considering that I don’t even need my dad’s help there when I can just do practice tests by myself, look over answers, figure out why I got them wrong and move on… (which is essentially what I’ve been doing this whole time yet I can’t get that through their heads)</p>
<p>Yes, I figured that is why they backed down on that option with your dad… it was time consuming when I did it! You might suggest that you spend that block of time studying, and try to take a couple of practice sessions of each type each week – then just take your dad’s time to go over the ones you missed with you. So he isn’t really tied up for four hours, just for less than an hour. I had my D make up flash cards for each concept or item she missed and review those (that might help your parents see you are systematically working on the items you are missing). Of course, there was one card that said “Don’t be a stupid rat!” with hash marks on it for each time it was needed – it was covered. :)</p>
<p>It is also possible that your parents secretly think they DON’T have the expertise to help you get a great score, and that is why they want to hire someone. But they probably will never admit it!</p>
<p>@intparent, Well, 2 things with that</p>
<p>For one, a reasoning that my parents have for that option is for me to buckle down and focus while my dad is there. Just me and my dad, nothing else. So, I’m pretty sure that even if I offered your alternative, they would still turn it down.</p>
<p>And secondly, perhaps they think they don’t have the expertise, but doubtful because my dad has helped me as well as my sister in preparing for big tests numerous times. Just not recently because my dad’s been more busy.</p>
<p>What does “buckle down” and focus mean to them? Once you have done the basic review of the SAT books for strategies, basic concepts, and the types of problems you will encounter, prep consists mostly of taking tests, checking your answers, figuring out how to do what you got wrong, and tracking that so you learn it before the next attempt. That “figure out how to do what you got wrong” is most important, IMHO. But you don’t spend all your time doing that…</p>
<p>“What does “buckle down” and focus mean to them? Once you have done the basic review of the SAT books for strategies, basic concepts, and the types of problems you will encounter, prep consists mostly of taking tests, checking your answers, figuring out how to do what you got wrong, and tracking that so you learn it before the next attempt.”</p>
<p>This is 100% what I’ve been trying to explain to them. I guess buckling down and focusing to them is just me in solitary confinement with no distractions or something like that. Anyway, all of what you just said right there is everything I’ve been trying to explain. And they just can’t see that.</p>