<p>hey guys- I got back my results from the diagnostic SAT from the course at Kaplan (i'm a rising junior), and I was really surprised to get a 2130 (bad, I know)--720 W, 710 M, 700 V. I was wondering how good an indication this is of what my actual score will be. Also, I got a 4 (combined 8 on the essay). I'm not trying to say I'm a perfect writer, but it WAS a good essay, and we took a lot of practice SAT essays last year in English class (my teacher is an official SAT essay grader) and I got a 6 every time. What does everyone think? Thanks. Also, just as a side note--i need to bring up my score at least 200 points before the real SAT..possible?</p>
<p>OH, forgot to mention my PSAT as a sophomore was 212...and im hoping to raise that to around 225...to ensure national merit semifinalist (i go to school in DC)</p>
<p>I didn't use Kaplan, but I've read posts from students on this board that think that their diagonostic test is harder so that your score will be lower and you'll look like you "gained" points. But if you have a score from a previous SAT test, you can use that. In my area, they haven't been very reliable and parents seem to be divided between thinking it was a waste of money and some said it was "okay" but not worth 999.00. Actually Sylvan, which is not thought of the same on this board, has been very good with 2 classmates of my son and they were very satisfied. I guess it's always part hard work, part luck with these test centers. I hope you have very good luck with yours.</p>
<p>why 200 points? seems a long shot esp if uve already done the course. 2250 is a good score. aim for that althou thts a long way to go still too. kaplan is pretty accurate as far as the real tests go.</p>
<p>Thanks... I haven't done the course yet (that's why I'm hopeful). The diagnostic was just for a baseline score. The course started last week.</p>
<p>why not? it's possible... go for it.</p>
<p>Kaplan courses are notorious for sucking. Get out while you can.</p>
<p>Really? What does everyone usually complain about?</p>
<p>Most, if not all, of my friends have complained about their "useless" course. This typically seems to describe Princeton Review courses as well.</p>
<p>I cannot speak for Kaplan, but Princeton Reveiw was simply a waste of money for me. I paid $1000 for the course, and learned to use POE (Process of Elimination). Oh yea, the worst part is that using their strategies, my Math and CR scores stayed the same. Writing went up 100 points, which is doable in honestly, a day.</p>
<p>I suggest you find a reputable institution. For example, if you live in Texas, Testmasters. </p>
<p>Another way is self-studying--which is exactly what I'm doing. This method happens to be most effective way of studying for me, as my scores have increased over 200 points over the summer. For more information, try referring to the thread under the title of "Xiggi's SAT prep advice".</p>
<p>I hope this helped, and good luck with SAT.</p>
<p>yeah i def agree with chochocho at least as far as princeton review goes. i took two courses and they did not help at all in improving my score. the problem with princeton is that they don't group classes according to level so a person getting a 1200 on diagnostic and aiming for say a 1400 is grouped with a person getting a 900 and aiming for a 1200. therefore it's really hard to improve. And all the strategies they teach you are in their books anyways so doing the Princeton course is as good as buying their books and self-studying. </p>
<p>however i don't know about the kaplan course because i havent taken the course. however the kaplan books for SAT I are pretty good but for Math IIC are crap. </p>
<p>But good luck if you've only started then you have a great chance of going up a lot, even 200 points if that's your goal.</p>
<p>thanks for the advice</p>
<p>pr guarantees a 200 point increase. you could probably get that on your own, but if you don't get it with princeton review you get a refund. it's a win win situation - 200 points or free course. i would check that out.</p>