Just wondering if Green Test Prep is a legit test prep service and is actually worth the money?
More marketing than substance, but there’s at least some substance, imo.
have you used it before. Im debating if i should go to another service and if you mind what was your test scores before and after using it.
I have not but have known people who have. I don’t have that information for them, though.
It seems like a scam to me. You can get the same type of help on Khan Academy for free.
I thought the same thing but khan academy does not have ACT prep and it also doesn’t have the 4 point improvement guaranteed.
Score-improvement guarantees mean very little in this industry, and it’s often difficult–if not impossible–to get your money back from these types of online programs. If it were me, then I would spend the $400 on a reasonably priced ACT tutor instead.
I looked over the terms and conditions and I think it’s worth the 350 to get it and improve my score so j can be the best viable candidate you can also keep the account forever so since I’m a rising sophomore I can use throughout hs and so can my siblings.
The course is $397. The fact that you underquote its price makes me question your motivations for posting here. But yes, if you have already paid for it, then you and your siblings might as well make full use of it. If you’re just a rising sophomore, then of course your ACT score should go up at least 4 points by junior/senior year, just by practicing the necessary skills, and generally getting smarter with each passing semester of high school. But it’s better to practice with Real ACT questions, and the assistance of an actual human being, imho.
It’s 347 when a coupon code is entered before purchase. I think I would check the price before putting credit card info on a website. And a quality ACT teacher in NYC is way more than 400$ at most I could primal get maybe 10visits but with Green I can get unlimited visits and have you used the system before?
Yes, I’ve seen it. I’m not impressed. An experienced private tutor could accomplish much more in 10 sessions. As far as your problem with expensive NYC tutors, you should consider Skype ACT tutoring, which allows you to work with nearly any tutor of your choice, worldwide.
You mind sharing the scores with me because I’ve had many people tell me it’s good but just wanted to get another opinion
I’m not knocking online SAT/ACT prep in general, by the way–it’s nice to be able to study at your own pace. It’s just that there are are probably hundreds, if not thousands, of free/nearly free SAT and ACT prep options available (YouTube, dedicated websites, etc.) that are far better than Green. GTP and its transparent, huckster marketing tactics are an inside joke among many of us who work in the test-prep industry. It’s probably still better than a mass-market ACT prep course, though–those are the worst!
I can say with personal experience and full confidence that this is a GREAT program, and a great value. I too was wary of the promises, and frankly I put the guarantees to the side - if I spent the money and my D did not see improvement, the money was the least of the loss, it would be the time spent on this - and not some other - approach. As my D was involved in high level training, she missed out on PSATs, and hadn’t had time to practice for the ACTs. Where we live tutors cost $85-100 - and given how much ground she needed to cover, it seemed quickly cost prohibitive. I don’t remember exactly what I paid for Green Test Prep ($300-$350), but I do know there are discount codes floating around regularly (I know because we hedged for weeks on taking the leap, and I kept getting new offers). We decided to give it a try, because we liked how much access she would have for practicing. Her first practice score back in April was not at all competitive, and she had quite a few unfinished (timing, as I’m sure you’ve heard, is a BIG challenge with the ACT). The next day she began the outlined lesson plan, read the strategies, made her flashcards, and did 3 additional full practice tests from the Real ACT book. Just before her June exam we did hire a math tutor for 1 hr to review questions she had been compiling. Not a flaw in the program, just a need for some additional math review. Her test results were very rewarding - up 5 points, no missed questions. She felt time was still tight, but not unmanageable. She has continued using Anthony’s system for the last 2 months to prepare for her second, final ACT. While it is no indication of actual results, she is currently seeing repeated results of 3 additional points on her full practice tests, to a score within range of elite colleges.
In the end, the formula is age-old - practice, practice, practice. What IS new is the strategies and deep knowledge of the way these tests work. Her essay score was very good and significantly better than her friend’s, who is a top student with strong English skills - better because these tests (as you know) are not about writing a great essay, but about navigating and adjusting for how they score something so subjective.
Value?
Having a structured program that prompts a student to do daily work on preparing for the test
Access to test strategy and knowledge that really unravels the trickiness of the science section and the essay
Full support from the Green Test Prep team. My D has had many, very specific questions about how to tackle a section, or how to improve a particular area of the test that was difficult, etc. She gets personal, specific replies right away, often with follow-up questions to continue the dialog. In a sense, it is like having a tutor!
I’ve never written a review of anything, but wanted to share our experience with you because this is a stressful time for kids taking these exams, and it is a big act of faith to shell out that much money on something you know little about. I can only tell you that our experience has been incredibly positive. I should add that it is essential that the student be very motivated and committed to the plan in order to see results - she has spent the recommended 1.5 - 2 hours almost daily on this, and has taken about 9 full practice tests. It still is a lot of hard work! Best of luck to you!!
For the record, the Program sounds economical, something like $400. It’s a low risk program with plenty of upside. The guarantee is a bonus:
“Your success is guaranteed! If you don’t get a higher test score, or if you’re not 100% delighted with our program, you get your money back. No questions asked. For up to one full year. Other companies won’t guarantee your score will go up. But we do. This guarantee protects your investment in learning. And it compels us to produce the #1 test prep system in America!”
But I’m not endorsing the Program. I’m not affiliated at all with the Program.
I just signed up for Green Test Prep. I was initially disappointed that there are no online questions, and the first page that opens when you order is a welcome note and a request/requirement to buy materials. This was a huge turnoff. The materials they want you to buy are mainly old ACT tests books. Since you can download individual tests, I’m not sure we’ll buy the books. You take old real ACT tests then score them yourself. The emphasis of the program seems to be REVIEW of all your wrong answers. He wants flashcards made of all wrong answers so the student really learns the content. This is not an easy cram course with lots of tricks. This is how to really study effectively for the test. I don’t have much doubt that this system will be effective, but it will be a lot of work for my daughter. Also, they don’t use much video. Mainly reading from the online “workbook”. We are going to give it a shot; however, it’s not what I thought I was getting. The fact that it was $347 with a coupon code and knowing it never expires and my 8th grader will be able to use it helps.
@ryaple You’re right, there are no online questions. If I recall correctly the site states upfront that you’ll need to buy test books - I wouldn’t say they require them, and it’s important to know that these are not Green Test Prep specific books - it’s not as though they are making money from the sale of the books. They are recommended I am guessing because they’ve had the most success with them. For what it’s worth, we purchased the Official ACT Prep Guide 2016-2017, Cracking the ACT with 6 practice tests 2016 ed, and 1,460 ACT Practice Questions, 4th ed. All of these were selected based on Anthony’s Green’s general website recommendations (separate from the Test Prep Program), as well as Amazon reviews. We also bought the ACT Prep Black Book which was highly recommended, but my daughter never used it - we found it actually confusing. The content of the program itself is entirely a deep dive on specific sections and strategies to tackling them. It wasn’t exactly like having a tutor next to you, but they are all strategies honed from experience tutoring the test. And as I mentioned in my earlier post, my daughter reached out frequently with specific questions, and received prompt and specific replies.
You hit the key to its success though - it is not an easy cram, and not-so-secret approach is consistent practicing and reviewing/correcting wrong answers. Seems easy enough to do on ones own, if motivated. What my daughter gained was learning the best approach to each area of test - most specifically how to study for a science section which is not really a measure of your science knowledge, and how to write the essay, which is not really how your child might write a great essay for an English class.
At that price we could have hired an actual tutor for a total of 4 hours, and I don’t believe they could have covered all of the techniques covered in the program. Also, having the program simply there on your computer to go to every day is an easy incentive to keep practicing, and seeing practice test results was encouraging for my daughter.
I wish your daughter a lot of luck - if she starts right away and dedicates a little time every day, I am sure she’ll see great results. The earlier the better. We had to hit the ground running due to a limited time frame. My daughter ended up taking the test 3 times, and her score went up 4 points, and that makes a big difference in the colleges you can target, no matter what your starting score is.
I’m definitely biased, but I don’t think that you needed to pay $347 to have someone tell you to take a bunch of official practice tests, and to review the incorrect answers. That’s common knowledge. An ACT prep program at that price point should include more added value through drills and practice. Khan Academy offers additional drills and practice for the SAT, and it’s not perfect, but at least it’s something, and it’s free.
The “Black Books” are popular on Amazon, but they were never updated to reflect the new ACT or SAT, and yes, they are generally disorganized, a bit confusing, and lacking in actual content, although the strategic advice is pretty good. There are thousands of real ACT questions you can download online, so there is no need to take synthetic practice tests from Princeton and the like.
Totally agree @skypeme re: Khan Academy. We used Green Test Prep for the ACT because Khan didn’t offer free practices for that test. From what I saw of the SAT tutorials they offered, they seemed really good. And to your point, free : )
Green Test Prep really is more than being told to take a bunch of practice tests and advice to review wrong answers. Whether the strategies explained and honed are worth that amount is up for debate for sure and I definitely agree that they can improve upon the product to offer more actual tutorials - that would have been beneficial. We were new to test prep and had limited time to make meaningful score leaps. For us it was a financially better option than hiring a tutor given all of the hours of review my daughter put into it. We’ve used the occasional tutor for particular sections in a math course, preparing for finals. They were good and they were helpful, but I would summarize their support as pretty much offering practice tests and reviewing/explaining incorrect answers.