<p>Hi All</p>
<p>My D took SAT/ACT tests offered by a local vendor without studying and got 28 in ACT and 1900 + in SAT. She is planning to start preparing for the actual SAT to be taken later this year. </p>
<p>I have suggesting that she take the Princeton Review course this summer. She spoke to a few students who took this before. The two students are saying that it helps with the reading/writting skills perhaps but it does not help with math. Also it was okay but not the greatest.</p>
<p>So she is leaning towards studying by herself with books. </p>
<p>I am telling her for what it is worth may be she should go for the review course. We are hoping she will score in the 2300+ range.</p>
<p>Any thoughts, suggestions about SAT prep courses are appreciated.</p>
<p>Neither of my sons did anything but self study and they both scored very well on the tests. They both went in with the idea that the first time they take the test was practice and they would take it again in the fall. They were relaxed and did well, the older did not retake, my junior doesn’t need to but he may, his choice.</p>
<p>joszacem
Thank you.</p>
<p>Yeah. I mean, you’re pretty much only paying so that your child can take mock exams. If your child can take practice exams himself, then classes are pretty much unnecessary. What prep books teach you is exactly what prep class teachers teach you. I was lucky enough to find an incredibly cheap private tutor who didn’t work for any company and who taught me everything the prep companies didn’t. He learned every one of his tricks and techniques from his daughter who scored 2400 at age 14.</p>
<p>Wow, that is amazing. Where is this guy?</p>
<p>I hate to rain on your parade, but the mock tests offered by many companies aren’t real SAT tests, and their results are notoriously inaccurate - the good news is that your daughter’s actual scores may be a bit higher already! So, don’t waste your money on Princeton Review (or any other program that doesn’t use official College Board materials)! Motivated, self-directed students can do just fine on their own, as others have suggested. If your daughter needs more structure, look for small local prep companies or individual tutors. You’ll get a lot more bang for your buck. Tutoring certainly CAN be cost-prohibitive, but it doesn’t have to be, so shop around. I always offer discounts to students who commit to a certain number of hours with me. I also do self-prep plans for students who need some focus, but want to work largely on their own. PM me if you’d like to talk. Good luck!</p>
<p>When choosing a course, focus on the tutor/instructor, not necessarily the company. Pretty much all companies and tutors teach the same few strategies and techniques. The difference is in your tutors ability to understand your daughters unique strengths and weaknesses and address those in class.</p>
<p>Feel free to PM me with more tutor-related questions. There are some great online tutors and some great resources.</p>
<p>Pwn the SAT is a fantastic math textbook that your daughter can work through on her own.</p>
<p>Craig</p>