<p>What do you all think of the concept of online/web-based SAT prep (for the new SAT)? On the one hand, a good online prep course pinpoints students' weaknesses automatically, contains a wealth of interactive material, lets students work at their own pace, and provides detailed feedback to both parents and students. Plus, there is no driving to class or buying expensive tutors, and online SAT prep can be accessed at any time.</p>
<p>On the other hand, the face-to-face component would be missing.</p>
<p>This might seem like a bizarre post, but I am involved in this area (I can't give more details because I don't want this to be construed as advertising, so please don't ask) and we'd like to be the first to do it right -- but I'd love to hear your opinions on the topic. We know the new SAT is a disaster for many worried parents and students, and I personally hated traditional prep methods and would have loved an online course (I took the SAT five years ago and also took the new SAT in March) -- especially since classroom courses now are so expensive and schedules are so busy.</p>
<p>Would any of you consider, or have any of you considered an online course? What do you like about the idea and what would you be concerned about? What would you like to see in such a course?</p>
<p>Before the College Board launched their own online service, the answer was easy. All the online or computerized preparations tools were absolutely awful, especially the ones offered by the large publishers. The combination of subpar contents and annoying graphics was simply lethal. Xbox does not equate with adequate SAT preparation. </p>
<p>With the unveiling of TCB's online product, the waters are a bit more muddy. While the best preparation has to include the Official Study Guide, the online tool adds a few elements that are worthwhile. </p>
<p>Where does that leave independent companies? Not in a great place! Some of the -cheap- books published by the known companies give a pretty good basis for a few strategies. The downfall of the independent is that they are absolutely incapable to write valid and correct tests. So, what would an new independent online service offer? Since being online does not help with strategies, the only avenue is to provide interactive tests ... but we already covered that there are no substitutes for TCB's official tests. </p>
<p>When it comes to preparation, one does not need more than a few books and the official study guide. For the students who lack discipline, there are a number of independent test prep companies that are worth the money =none of them are part of the national companies. </p>
<p>In conclusion, online SAT test prep is a dead duck. The SAT is not an adaptive test and the computer is nothing than a distraction. The only thing one REALLY needs is a number 2 pencil and the desire to improve.</p>
<p>I agree about the #2 pencil and desire to improve -- but a lot of kids don't have that kind of motivation (or are overwhelmed and rightfully scared to death by the test), and I argue would benefit from a more structured system. I had many friends (including some very smart kids) who were bored to tears by books and rebelled against their parents who had locked them in their rooms by simply talking on the phone or playing computer games or whatever. </p>
<p>With an online course, you can take a diagnostic test, and then the software will <em>tell you</em> your points of weakness and lay out a program to remedy those weaknesses. After a few iterations, improvements are quite good.</p>
<p>However, I agree that it hasn't been done right, yet. Could you be convinced that it could be done right? Testimonials? Score improvement statistics? Credentials? (For example, the principals involved in this project attended Harvard and MIT including one who scored a 1600 on the old SAT and, as of this morning, a 2400 on the new March SAT. Another is a seasoned high school AP English instructor with over a decade of SAT tutoring experience.)</p>
<p>There does seem to be a lot of resistance initially to the idea of online test prep. Are there any other reasons?</p>
<p>I think the reason I wouldn't want online prep is because the whole paper/pencil thing - doing the bubbles right, and attending to the printed page -best approximates the real thing. The speed element is so important, and that would be different online vs paper/pencil.
Now if you could take the actual test online -then I'd be very much in favor of having my kid take prep online.</p>