@ucbalumnus “it was not the norm to do test prep beyond trying the sample questions in the test registration booklet. For achievement (now SAT subject) tests and AP tests, it was not typical to do much test prep beyond completing the associated course in high school.”
Totally agree with this (although in my midwest high school, I never even heard of AP classes or exams).
I still remember in the late 70s or early 80s having a friend tell me she was taking a class for the SATs and I thought she was joking because I could not imagine why anyone would “study” for that test and had never heard of such a thing. It would have been like “studying” for the Iowa tests the schools used to give in younger grades. No one in my area had heard of Stanley Kaplan or even SAT review books – we did the sample practice test in the booklet that came when you registered. And then took the exam.
A similar thing happened about 8 years ago when I heard about a “college advising service” and went to hear someone give a talk. I thought it was a joke, especially when I heard the representative saying that they started with 9th graders and by junior year it was too late. I remember telling friends and thinking it was hilarious. Cut to now when the majority of affluent families (not all) seem to get some kind of outside help for their kid’s college app. Not a 4 year expensive plan, but perhaps someone to help edit the essay or just look over the application.
I can only imagine what is next. Maybe there will be a “donor advisor” service that will advise wealthy parents of 9th graders how to strategically make legal donations over the next 4 years to increase their kids’ chances. I will laugh about it when I hear it, and then in 8 years what I think is a joke will no longer be.