<p>How much in total did you spend for private or group SAT/ACT classes?</p>
<p>$0 for ACT: 35
$0 for PSAT:221
$0 for SAT: Pending</p>
<p>Total cost: $50 for Prep Books</p>
<p>VERY lucky…i guess i am the only sucker</p>
<p>:(</p>
<p>Prep books are all one needs with a little dedication.</p>
<p>O for psat, 35 dollars for sat books</p>
<p>Any of you knew the “New Oriental School”
Nearly all Chinese test takers will study in that school and pay the tuition. I am the one of them…</p>
<p>
wow it must be expensive. why do you need a school to study for the sat? I think you can do just fine w/o paying 4 a school. i know several of them near me get perfect/near perfect scores self studying. i’m giving it a try this year as a 7th grader. i self studied with the help of my parents. </p>
<p>they got me many books though. DH 1 and 2, bb, etc.</p>
<p>wow! u are in 7th grade and you are taking the SAT? WHY? Do they even let 7th graders take the SAT? What math are you in? You should be out playing and having fun!</p>
<p>How much is it and how long is the course? What state are you in?</p>
<p>Stalkermama…to answer both for the 7th grader and what I’ve listed below…when kids test highly in ISTEP, sometimes their scores are relayed to programs such as Northwestern’s Talent Search for Youth. This offers above level testing (as these kids reach the top of the ISTEPS so it’s hard to tell what level they’re really at). It’s a nice program, kept my D on Northwestern’s radar all the way through recruiting her to apply (alas, she doesn’t want to study in Chicago). As to “what math” the 7th grader is in…my own D was in 2 year advanced math until 7th grade. She doesn’t like math so I asked her to be moved back to 1 year advanced. So she was only taking algebra in 8th. Some kids are already in geometry by then. Yikes… </p>
<p>So I spent $0.00 on CLASSES. But my daughter did take one pre-test, plus the SAT which we paid for. And I did get her one math book when she sort of bombed her math SAT II/Subject test. So… $100? </p>
<p>My D’s “preparation” included:</p>
<p>So she could have taken the SAT in 6th grade but I thought it was too early to be a benefit. She took an out of level test they offered instead…Explorer or something? Top 2% were invited to receive their award at Northwestern. It helps establish their first “affinity” to a college. Maybe those kids will chose to apply there, etc. She got sick and couldn’t go! But…trust me…these kids ALSO “play” (she plays several instruments, studies music, rides/competes in equestrian events, drama, etc). But, if you don’t start early, it’s hard to compete against top level college applicants. </p>
<p>Then she did take the SAT in 8th grade. Again through the Midwest Talent Search for Youth/Northwestern University. </p>
<p>She didn’t take PSAT as a sophomore because she’d already had the “practice” in 8th. So I told her she didn’t have to (I didn’t take the tests at all, and didn’t go to college…I was IGNORANT of the entire process, unfortunately).</p>
<p>PSAT Junior 221
SAT Junior 2210 (took it on a last minute/whim/standby basis)
ACT Junior 34 (ditto)</p>
<p>But then she DID end up getting that math book because her other SAT IIs (no course/book, etc.) were 750 and 780…BUT her math was 620!!!</p>
<p>Her score did increase some, but she doesn’t think the book helped. I think it was more that she learned she could store formulas in her calculator for SAT IIs. I really think any given student is pretty much going to get the same RANGE of scores regardless. Most of the time. I’ve heard some success/horror stories. But that’s why she opted not to take any in her senior year. She might have gone up but also down, and she had only 1-2 Saturdays per year available, so…?</p>
<p>@shmluza
Maybe you do not know Chinese culture and view of test.
In China, score is everything. There is a test called “College Entrance test” just like SAT in US. But in China, that test scores is the only determinant of admission. </p>
<p>This influences Chinese deeply. in Chinese view, we must get good scores.</p>
<p>“In China, score is everything … we must get good scores.”</p>
<p>SAT/ACT scores are important but your view is too extreme.</p>
<p>wow…R124678
great scores
where is she today?</p>
<p>Haha, it is not only my view. it is the view of all Chinese.<br>
You know we are good at test. this is just because the distorted education system in China.
there are tons of debates about whether the “College Entrance Test” should be the only one factor of admission in China.</p>
<p>you could Google “chinese college entrance examination” to know some of Chinese going education situation</p>
<p>$0 on prep classes. I think we bought the ACT Blue Book & an SAT prep book so maybe $50 total.</p>
<p>Like R124678 my D(s) participated in Talent Searches in 7th grade (ACT) and 8th grade (SAT.) but there wasn’t any prep for that either, with the exception of the GC explaining how to fill out the forms, explaining what the day of the test would be like & telling them not to sweat it.</p>
<p>D1 took the PSAT in 10th & 11th grade & is a NMSF now in 12th grade.
Took the PLAN (pre ACT) in 10th grade with every other sophomore.
Took the ACT in school Junior year as it is a graduation requirement here. Never took it again.
Took the SAT 1x at the end of Junior year to be able to send in with her National Merit packet as we knew she had the score to make NMSF.</p>
<p>
I believe you. I have chinese friends who told me that too. are you in china or in the U.S.? Anyway best of luck.</p>
<p>
because i want to be in the CTY summer camp sooooooooo badly. my parents agreed to pay for that so all will be determined by tomorrow’s SAT, omg…
well i gues i don’t study as hard as high school people because there’re many other things i like to do but i don’t think i’ll be happy w/o cty camp this summer. my mom told me i should be prepared for not passing in case i don’t do well, but i don’t think i am prepared for not passing. she said i could do a music camp or something. no! i want cty, so badly…</p>
<p>My son took the SATs in 8th grade, and made the CTY program, but went to a different summer school</p>
<p>I paid $800 for an SAT course at a private school near our house and then paid over $100 an hour for private tutoring a few times. but I have to say that his scores did not really improve because he was not into studying- I knew he wouldn’t do it if he just had the books either but I thought he would get something out of the courses/tutoring. His scores started high and just didn’t get much higher.</p>
<p>I haven’t been to US yet.
Thank you, shmluza</p>
<p>Well, if you consider feeding, clothing and housing… day care and gas…etc, etc. for the past 17 years, then, we’ve probably spent $200,000 on our daughter’s SAT prep.</p>
<p>However, if you’re asking about prep/training specific to the SAT? </p>
<p>Zero dollars…</p>
<p>And we’re very satisfied with the results, thank you.</p>
<p>John.</p>
<p>
[quote]
SAT/ACT scores are important but your view is too extreme.[\quote]</p>
<p>I believe the OP stated this was part of his culture; please respect that.</p>
<p>And, to answer the original question - my oldest had the prep book, did so-so and took a Kaplan course for $800, raising his score by 200 point. I think he got around a 1400 (out of 1600 - old SAT - high 700’s in math, 600 in critical reading). My middle child was a highly recruited DI athlete so her SAT scores were not a critical part of her application. She studied with the book and was fine. My youngest has the book and does the SAT questions of the day as well as utilizing a “Question of the Day” desk calendar. He is in a private school and takes an SAT prep class. He just took the SAT yesterday and feels he did quite well (for our family - non Chinese! - 1800 and above constitutes a job well done!) Also, younger son is aiming for DI athletics and Ivies want 1800 or above. He should be fine with a 185 on PSAT’s without studying.</p>