<p>Hello!
My youngest daughter is going into her junior year, and we are looking into PSAT (and SAT, but that's less urgent) prep programs. We want one that uses private tutors instead of group sessions. In-person and Skype tutoring would both be fine. Does anyone have any suggestions of programs they used and liked?
Thank you so much,
Donnas</p>
<p>I am an SAT tutor and think that your best option in a local college student with a very high SAT score who has experience tutoring. They are not dictated by big business. They are very knowledgeable of the test. And they usually aren’t out to screw you over financially.</p>
<p>It looks like you are new to CC (2 posts). I believe the general consensus on this site is that prep classes generally cost too much and only make sense if your student does not self-study effectively. The best (most effective) method for test preparation is usually working through books on your own.</p>
<p>I have twins who were both were NMSF and scored 34 on the ACT using only guide books and sample tests to prepare. Look over at the SAT portion of CC where there is great advice.</p>
<p>Of course, if your daughter would benefit from the structure of a prep course, then be sure she does the homework! Taking a class is not a short cut for avoiding doing the work, even when working one-on-one with a tutor.</p>
<p>We found PSAT and SAT prep could be done together using SAT materials. Younger daughter prepped in the summer and some in Sept; took the October SAT before the PSAT and did well on both. She was the type who could work on her own, though, so she just used the old tests like rmldad mentioned. My oldest did a group class and that was really not much benefit to her, so I agree with a private tutor if you need someone to work with her. I’m not sure it matters that much who, I think the real benefit comes from practicing actual questions to become familiar with the types of questions, and learning how to quickly solve them.</p>
<p>I would ask other parents, your high school counselor or teachers for recommendations because the tutoring companies are usually regional. My Dd works for one, but they only service California.<br>
She does feel that the kids who are not "good test takers’ have the most to gain from test prep tutors. High scoring kids who just want to bump their scores up to make national merit or get into the 2200+ range do just as well studying on their own.
There are definitely “tricks” that can be learned for those who are average to low scorers to help them improve. Some kids don’t realize that the penalties for guessing are substantial, and usually guessing only pays in some circumstances. A good tutoring company can show your kid these strategies.
High scorers just need to get comfortable with the material with a few timed practice tests to get their timing down.</p>
<p>You might find it helpful to read the thread on the “xiggi method” of test prep. The bottom line is that students get better at taking tests by working through real problems one by one and understanding the answers.</p>
<p>I don’t think any kid I know has done tutoring for the PSAT. Some did great.</p>
<p>I think it depends on where you live…every junior I know is prepping for the PSAT, some with classes through big test prep companies, some with private tutors, some on their own.</p>
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<p>I am a big fan of the timeline described above. The summer before the Junior year is an ideal time to place everything in perspective. While a lot can be learned from the PSAT scores obtained in October and shared around Christmas, it is not unwise to set the objective to do as well as possible in the 11th grade PSAT. </p>
<p>A reasonable preparation in the summer and a prep routine in September and October might pay huge divideds, eliminate a lot of anguish, and also clear the schedules for the remaining battery of tests (Subject Tests, AP, etc.) In case, the scores are not ideal, the preparation in the rest of the Junior year will be easier (and easier to accept by the student.) </p>
<p>As a last note, it is also helpful to start an individual preparation with official tests before contracting a private tutor. Approaching the tutor with a history and performance will help you and the tutor in identifying the weaknesses. You might also find tutors who excel in the writing sections and others who are better for the math sections. I would also avoid any tutor or company that relies on homemade tests to measure the starting level of the student.</p>
<p>I used eAcademy for online private tutoring with my son. We found them through his school’s counseling office. It was much more affordable than the prices I was getting at Princeton Review. Everything is done online is a virtual classroom. My son liked his tutor and said Luke really helped him.
[eAcademy</a> - Private Tutoring](<a href=“http://e-academy.org/private-tutoring.aspx]eAcademy”>http://e-academy.org/private-tutoring.aspx)</p>