<p>Do your homework. Call the place advertised in your school paper. Ask for references. Call the references. Research other resources in the metro area on the web. Call them, ask about their options and ask for references.</p>
<p>You should get in one or 2 mock tests before the real thing. Depends on if you plan to get one in before the PSAT or not. IMO, starting to prep NOW for the Oct PSAT is a good idea-- then take tune-up/refresher stuff in Nov-Dec. Your decision-- depends on how you are doing. I’d DEFINITELY sign up for whatever prep classes your school offers.</p>
<p>My father already called them and talked for over an half an hour. When they sent the price, that is when my parents thought it was too much. Thanks for the advice!</p>
<p>You need to call several people who offer the service and compare what they offer and at what price. This will vary widely. And get references. If your father will not spend a few hundred dollars now, will he spend many thousands later for college?</p>
<p>Would my schools course and prep books not be enough? What does a private company do that is so much worth the money? My parents just see the schools course as a replacement.</p>
<p>You have complained a lot about resources at your school. But if you think their prep class is sufficient, well fine. Your mind seems made up, so fine. Good luck.</p>
<p>If USC is one of your reach schools and money is an issue, did you know they offer a guaranteed 1/2 tuition scholarship to NMFs if you are admitted? If you don’t study and blow off the PSAT you are potentially throwing away a lot of money.</p>
<p>My suggestion, if it isn’t painfully obvious-get cracking and start studying! You will regret it if you don’t.</p>
<p>Wow- I just read on the USC thread yesterday that USC gives guaranteed 1/2 tuition PLUS NMF gives and ADDITIONAL $1,000/yr for NMF’s at USC. If money is an issue, even if you think getting a great score on the PSAT is unrealistic, you should still study, study, study and try your absolute best. You have nothing to lose.</p>
<p>Thanks Jym. I appreciate it. I will have to bring my PSAT score up a lot because I did terrible last year. I am not the best taker, so I am worried about the SAT and what not.</p>
<p>If you feel you don’t have good test-taking skills, then strongly consider working on that. If you convince yourself you can’t take tests well and you then don’t prepare appropriately or sufficiently for the test, then you don’t do well because you didn’t prepare by learning test-taking strategies as well as the test content, then it just becomes a self fulfilling prophecy.</p>
<p>You likely feel that you know the material but can’t show it on tests. That is the reason to work on learning test-taking strategies. Don’t convince yourself you cant-- convince yourself you CAN.</p>
<p>This is what happends to me. I know the material 100% before the test. When I take the test, I freeze up. I forget all the material and I go blank. It is very annoying because when I turn a test in, I will remember the correct answers. This happends to a lot of my friends too. I probably sync myself out before I take it because I stress over every little test/quiz.</p>