<p>^ $1800?? You're going to want to save that for college tuition or textbooks.</p>
<p>I know, its crazy expensive. The cheapest one in my area is Princeton Review at $1000 but I heard it is really no help at all.</p>
<p>You shouldn't. That's crazy.</p>
<p>i took a $2000, yep $2000 prep course and it didnt help me at all. i got the same test score as my first practice test:2050. i admit i didnt work as hard as i should have.</p>
<p>but the thing is, over the summer, by reading a lot for my ap english class (6 books, including classics by thomas hardy and charles dickens), i raised my score to 2260 and got a 800 cr.</p>
<p>basically, to each his own i guess.</p>
<p>I have a bunch of friends with senior kids who did a group prep course last year and tracked the change in scores. Minimal. I agree with whoever said that once you're past a certain score, not worth the cash. Get the daily college board questions, buy a book and do some practice tests, and that's all you need.</p>
<p>I never took an SAT prep class. The first time I got a 2150, and the second time I got a 2300: 800 M, 800 CR, 700 W. My Writing multiple choice score was perfect, but I got a 6 on the essay.
So I really don't think a prep class is necessary, at least not for the multiple choice. For the essay though, it may be helpful to have people telling you what exactly to do.</p>
<p>Hopeslikeflowers, I guess you could ask a teacher/parent/adult to read it and see what they what grade it or think of it. I think I've come to the conclusion that SAT prep courses are not worth the money. I really think I have the initiative to study on my own and, from hearing the opinions of family, friends and fellow CCers, the only benefit of SAT prep courses are that they grade your tests for you. I don't think $1800 is worth some guy grading my test.</p>
<p>I think SAT prep classes are much more helpful for those who have really really low scores. Like ~400. Then learning some strategies, doing some practice tests can REALLY boost their grade.</p>
<p>Once you get around 600..it doesn't do much. The ACT prep course at our school is filled with slackers. The average and above average kids just grab some books and study because you know your own study habits better than anyone else.</p>
<p>I would agree with Smile614. A friend's child did horribly on the math section. We are talking homeschooled/unschooled and completely unable to do arithmetic. Several months of intense work with a tutor brought the math score into the high 500s. My child is a good test-taker in general. We did a bit of work with a PSAT prep book, and for SAT subject tests, and will probably use prep books a bit more, but no tutor.</p>
<p>Would you guys recommend the SAT Online Course? If that is recommended, I see that as a good option to SAT Prep courses and a great supplement to CB's blue book.</p>
<p>Okay, I think I have a general idea about what is to be accepted from taking a prep course.</p>
<p>My questions is: what kind/which are the best (i.e. online, Princeton Review, etc.)</p>
<p>no. they suck. a big waste of money. i took one for the sat's through a program created by teachers i think it was like SATPREP.ORG , and wasted my time and money. i think the only good thing that came out of it were the free sat books, but then again i think those were included in the program price</p>
<p>My D took a course and she picked up over 100 pts on each of the parts. The course did not rehash the learning portion but gave tips and traps to look for. As a parent I thought it was worth it.</p>