Prep Classes

Test Preparation
1

<p>(I am thinking about taking a PSAT/ACT Prep Course)
Is it worth the cost?</p>

2

<p>If money is not an issue, and you can make the time commitment to attend all the classes (all, not just some, otherwise it would just be a waste of money), there really is no harm. I took a prep course and my SAT score shot up by 200+ points. It gave me enough experience, practice, and sort-of inside information with these kinds of tests to then get a 34 on the ACT’s on my first try, months after taking the course. </p>

<p>If money is an issue, consider the fact that in these prep courses, much of the time is spent practicing. Sure, we did some review of grammar and created “SAT word lists,” but not anything that you couldn’t have done on your own. I thought of my course as “forced practice with feedback.” That said, the feedback is the only thing really worth paying for. For me, having a teacher actually go through a problem on the board step by step and explaining it logically was well worth the money, since that’s the kind of learner I am. Sometimes, only a teacher could have helped me spot my mistake, as I found some answer explanations in the back of the practice books lacking the depth that I needed to understand. If you can’t benefit from this kind of feedback, I would say just devote the two or so hours a course would take up per week to practice. It will essentially be the same experience for you.</p>

3

<p>Prep classes are a ripoff. Get the blue book, diligently work through self-assigned problem sets. Tada! $15 prep course. Oh, and if you want a solutions guide, that’s another $15. </p>

<p>Prep courses are a waste of money unless you REALLY need help (i.e. <1500 scorer).</p>

4

<p>I thought it was a good deal. I just came back from taking a course in Boca Raton for the SATs. They did an excelllent job.</p>

5

<p>Not worth it IMO. Do what Arachnotron said and stick to it, and it will work wonders for you.</p>

6

<p>Money is definitely a concern for my family, so I think that I will most likely stick to the review books. Thanks for the feedback!</p>