<p>Are the Princeton Review SAT Prep classes any good? Because they cost $999 for the regular class and $1599 for the "honors" class (those who aspire more than 2100) and I have been hearing mixed reviews. I just don't want to have my mom pay that kind of money if it's not going to significantly help me.</p>
<p>DO NOT do it. I should have listened 6 months ago. I just took it (if you really are set on taking a course, wait for the $100 discount that comes out 2-3 months before the beginning) and it was horrible. My "teacher" would routinely get questions wrong, to be corrected.</p>
<p>Go to one of the seminars they do, where you take the free diagnostic. You can meet the instructors and see if you like them. I am doing their online course and it is awesome.</p>
<p>$1599 was such a big waste of money
they do not guarantee crap
If you think "teachers" who barely graudated high school and are currently attending UCR and cal states will help you get a 2100, then go spend the money.</p>
<p>although i do have to admit, princeton review materials and books are pretty helpful.</p>
<p>I heard that all of their teachers must be able to get at least a 2350 on the SAT I in order to be considered.</p>
<p>Aside from that, the class was a complete waste of time and money. I don't think my teacher was idiotic or anything (He's a professor at a somewhat respectable graduate school) but it seems to me like he didn't really know how to teach the class anything. Half of the time his suggestion was to "plug in the answers".</p>
<p>Btw, I never heard of an "honors" course for the Princeton Review. I would have taken it if they had offered it here :S</p>
<p>take the Testmaster's class.. If there is one in your area.</p>
<p>I just finished taking the online version of it.</p>
<p>Just read a lot of interesting books. You'll have more to say in your college interviews, more to talk about with your college classmates, and more money in your pocket if you prepare for the SAT that way.</p>
<p>Look, the classes are for the average test taker who is not motivated or is not the type who would spend time by himself to study.</p>
<p>I guess it would be worth it to the average test taker if he boosts his score enough to make it to his state university.</p>
<p>So if the above description does not describe you, then don't take it.</p>
<p>I wasn't motivated at all when I took the Kaplan course, now I could probably get semi-finals on the next PSAT thanks to the course.</p>
<p>I've heard Testmaster's is good, although I have zero direct experience with it.</p>
<p>I often find that local centers are better than PR or Kaplan. The trick to finding a helpful class, actually, is to remember that it completely depends on the teacher, not the brand of the course. I know some fantastic tutors who've worked for Kaplan, but it's hit or miss. The problem is that Kaplan and PR are not going to want you to evaluate their individual teachers; they want you to trust them to pick your teacher, which is a risk. But, for instance, if Kaplan has a very strong reputation <em>in your area</em>, they might have some good teachers (although I find that Kaplan is often pretty feeble). Similarly, if you have a friend who had a great experience with a particular tutor at a huge tutoring center, see if you can get a class with that same tutor and you might be happy. </p>
<p>Here's what I'd try. Good local tutoring centers often get into local newspapers, often because they're smart enough to call up a reporter in order to drum up some publicity for themselves. I'd go to the website of your local paper and see if you can search the archives for "SAT" or "SAT tutoring." I've tried this before and it's surprising how often an article comes up. See who's featured in that article and call them. Ask for references. </p>
<p>Or you could hire a private individual. Most successful tutoring centers make their tutors provide recent test scores (real reports) or take an actual test on the spot. I'd consider doing the same yourself if you do decide to go with a private individual. If a private tutor has good references (in other words, they can give you the names and numbers of more than one student whose scores actually went up) and are able to do very well on an SAT, I doubt they're going to waste your money.</p>
<p>I guess the last thing to remember is that, really, you can do some very excellent prep yourself while spending very little (just books etc). You just have to make sure that you have the discipline to follow up.</p>
<p>i guess i have a kind of different experience, i took the class after 10th grade and it just helped me to focus my studying and give me a starting place. before that i was just doing vocab words which was not helping me. also, the class provides 3 practice tests, but u can also pay for those and just take them if u call the pr office in your area. i dont think its a good idea to take the class and then a week later take the real test. you need time to soak in what the class taught you and then come up with your own strategies and strengths. the class certainly gives you a lot of tools but it does not prepare you to take the test and get a high score. you need to study independently no matter what!</p>
<p>I think that's pretty wise advice, sarah786.</p>