packages that involve online prep. Are these as good as going to a testing center in person? I’m concerned about finding the time to actually fit classes into D’s schedule?
Also is there a big difference between Princeton Rev and Kaplan? How do we decide which to pick? Thanks
My honest opinion, as a test prep tutor…save your money. I personally do not feel that big classes are at all beneficial. For the same money, you could hire a private tutor for a few sessions. That is money much better spent, becasue they can target your child’s specific areas of weakness. You also have much more flexibility. A private tutor works form ou, on your child’s schedule.
Re Kaplan versus Princeton, six of one, half dozen of the other. Choose the better price, if you go that route.
Plus, they both use their own tests not the official ACT and SAT practice tests.
Our S19 took an ACT and an SAT freshman year (since those scores won’t show up anywhere) and decided SAT was better for him. Then, he studied on his own this summer using the Xiggi method. You can google it. Worked well for him. Won’t get his official score for another week but his practice test scores went up and up. If he thinks he needs a tutor after seeing this score, we will know exactly what he needs in terms of tutoring and they can just focus on any weaknesses. That’s way less expensive than hiring a tutor from the beginning.
And I realize I didn’t read your post properly.
I have a friend who purchased online prep for her kids and thought it worked very well. But I still think one on one in person is better.
I also don’t think the classes are worth the money. We hired a test prep one-on-one tutor for my daughter and her ACT score went up 6 points. I’ve used Kaplan in the past (for myself) and was not impressed.
@Lindagaf @Emsmom1 @homerdog Thank you so much for responding. I wish my D could self-prep like so many here do, but I’m afraid that she needs a structured program to get her started. She’s done some math using an ACT book so far, but nothing major. Our plan was for her to start a class to get her started this fall. Then once she has some tools she can do stuff herself. Once we get closer to test time and when she knows her weak spots we were planning to hire a tutor. I’m just afraid that if we get a tutor now that the cost will be crazy. It’s not unusual for tutors in our area to charge around $200 per hour. I’m hoping to find someone for less. As of now the plan is to for her to take the first ACT next April. Still trying to figure out if she should do ACT and/or SAT. It’s so hard know which to focus on. She’s a great student, but not an amazing test taker.
Ideally, I would rather skip the class and just hire a tutor, but I’d rather save that for Jan.
Any more thoughts are welcome. I appreciate your insights.
Makes sense to me, then, to go to a class. I’m sure they will assign homework and that will keep her on track! As for choosing ACT or SAT, there are many reasons to choose one over the other but you’ll need some scores on hand. Both Kaplan and Princeton Review around here will allow the kids to take a free timed test. Then, they give you a pretty handy report that shows strengths and weaknesses on each test. After that, it is sometimes easy to decide. Sometimes, though, kids do about the same on the tests and then you can either prep for both or look closer at how your child felt about each test.
For S19, the questions on the ACT were pretty easy. He just couldn’t finish. And being crunched for time has always made him very nervous. While he found the SAT questions harder, he’s bright enough to do well on them and SAT gives way more time per question. He decided he’d prefer to focus on SAT prep.
That’s a good idea to hire the tutor after you figure out her weak spots. My daughter has ADHD so there was no way she would have studied on her own, which is why we did the tutoring from the get-go (we are in LA and it was quite pricey). I do know there are some places that offer online classes plus a tutoring package. My nephew did just the online classes and his SAT only went up by 50 points, although I don’t know how dedicated he was to doing the homework, etc.
In case anyone sees this: After some practice tests we are certain the SAT is the way to go. D did so much better on it and hated the need to work so quickly on the ACT. So, again we want to do an online program for now. I’m thinking Princeton Review, but I see PreppedScholar has something and it’s cheaper. I feel so paralyzed trying to make a decision. Any ideas? I just want to pick the right place.
As an independent SAT tutor (who has also taught classes for a test prep company), it’s my view that large classes can be good for relatively unmotivated students who like the social aspect and the structure of regularly-scheduled classes. They are also good for weaker students who could use a good overview of all topics on the test. I’m generally not a fan of the large test companies – Princeton, Kaplan, etc. I’d never recommend using the practice tests they’ve generated over the officially released practice tests.
For more motivated students and/or students who have already achieved moderate to relatively higher scores, then independent or one-on-one study is best. If you can’t afford a private tutor, I recommend researching and using the Xiggi method. The Xiggi method basically involves taking official practice tests, one section at a time, treating each one as much like the real test as possible (i.e., timing yourself, using No. 2 pencil and bubbling the answers, etc.). Then the student does a deep analysis and study of each question that is missed, gradually converting each weakness into a strength.
I’ve heard good things about PrepScholar, but don’t have personal knowledge.
If your student is at all self-motivated, I’d strongly recommend buying “PWN the SAT Math” by Mike McClenathan and New SAT Grammar Guide by Erica Meltzer (both available on Amazon). Both books are VERY user-friendly and well-organized and a student would do very well to just grab those books and gradually work his or her way through them.
Good luck!
@SoccerMomGenie Thank you so much!!! It looks like we’re going to skip the classes and just get a tutor. Also, D just happens to be using the books you suggested, and doing some work on her own in the meantime. I will definitely look up the Xiggi Method. Sounds very good. One question for you: Since there is a relatively new SAT now, where does one find authentic practice tests. There can’t possibly be that many available, right? Again, thank you so very much.
@citymama9 i think there is an official blue book of 8 practice sats. My son is using that with a private tutor to study for the PSAT for 11th grade. And, yes, if you have a motivated student or one that has already relatively high scores a private tutor is the way to go.
@LvMyKids2 Thanks! In your opinion is it necessary to be highly motivated and have high scores to benefit from a private tutor? My D is motivated in that my husband will give her sections in the books to do and she does them without complaining. She also has set goals for herself, but I do wonder if she would ever pick up an SAT book on her own without our asking her to. As for already having high scores, it’s hard to tell. She is doing fine, but there is much room for improvement. She has only done sections though, not whole tests yet.
@citymama9 has your child ever sat for a practice ACT ot PSAT…that would give you some indication how high (or low) or a range of how prepared they are going into the actual tests. My child took at psat sophmore year - required by school. They got a 1460 out of 1520 doing that cold. Along with their high school grades and rigor, it seemed that he would be a high scorer on the real tests, so we did private tutor. One kind of has to put together - how kid is already doing in HS, any practice tests taken, and maybe how student has tested in the past. That would help. Yes, anyone could have a motivated child, but one that will never score super high. I am not sure now, that motivated is the right word. But I do think knowing more background on your child - past test history (even if in elementary and middle school on standardized tests, and rigor/gpa now) can somewhat predict test taking abilities.
My daughter did a “live online” Kaplan course. She paid attention during the sessions but didn’t do any of the assigned work even if I bugged her about it. She didn’t get much out of it for that reason (she did end up doing pretty well on the ACT without doing any ACT prep at all). Her SAT score actually went down, so not worth the money! Pretty much the opposite of “highly motivated.”
My S is a better test-taker (1360 on sophomore PSAT). He won’t touch the prep books I bought him, but he’ll occasionally do some practice at Khan Academy (but not as much as I hoped he would). All eight practice tests are online at Khan Academy (the same ones you’ll find in the official blue book, which also sits untouched on a bookshelf in my son’s room). He will not take a practice test on paper so we’ll see what happens when he takes the real thing on Saturday.
@eh1234 very helpful. good luck to your son!
@LvMyKids2 D has taken the PSAT each yr at her HS as they require it. Did better soph yr compared to Fresh yr, but not Ivy level scores. It’s probably reasonable that with prep she could get in the 700s in both sections based on what we’re seeing now. I’m trying to understand what you mean about whether a tutor would be helpful or not. She’s a straight A student except for one class last yr. Always considered “gifted” in our school system, but not someone who is Harvard material, imo. Hope that clarifies.
@citymama9 Ok well my one child was highly motivated. always scored high on standardize testing (even from elementary) she was straight A even in all the APs she took. She took the ACT after tutoring one on one - to get the help in areas she needed and learn the tricks of the test. Took it once - 36. She was motivated to take it and be done. Is very smart. I am not sure what you consider harvard material because IMO harvard material is so subjective. harvards ACT range from 2015 (mid 50%) was32-35, but they look at the whole child - very holistic. I guess it depends on her goals and what scores you are trying to achieve for the schools she will apply too. But remember, scores are only one part of the package. I am just a one on one tutor type parent. I saw results for both my kids and believe in it. Also, I will tell you that repetitive taking of the practice tests (entire tests) is very key.
@LvMyKids2 I think the only kids getting into Harvard with a 32 on the ACT have some kind of hook.
@citymama9 probably most kids getting into Harvard have a hook. Let’s face it - they don’t have too many spots and with athletes, 1st gen, legacy (sometimes), etc…many are hooks. The best advice I can give is have your child pursue their passions - not just for a college resume. And of course, get good grades in the most rigourous classes that they can handle. There are so many smart kids these days, that it goes above and beyond GPA/rigor and test scores. Excellent ECs and recomendations are key. I am going though this a second time and believe me, I learned so much the 1st time. I do believe each child gets in a place where they are meant to be.
Just a word of warning, the previous poster only has two posts. I don’t know for sure, but I wouldn’t take everything she says to heart because there’s a lot of red flags saying she’s part of the prepscholar company: very biased towards (loving) them, only ever posted on this thread, bashes competitors.