<p>Hey, I'm gonna be a junior in the fall, and am thinking about taking SAT prep courses in the fall. Are they really helpful and what course is better Kaplan or Princeton Review? Thanks.</p>
<p>IMO: If you want to take some Prep Classes, take Princeton Review. </p>
<p>Honestly, you dont need them and you could do it yourselves. They could help you if you need help in two of the sections in the SAT. But if you just need one, learn it yourself. Its actually so much easier and take PLENTY of practice tests. </p>
<p>The Prep Classes are to motivate you so that you can learn. But if you put the time into it every weekend, trust me you can do REALLY well.</p>
<p>Good Luck</p>
<p>I took Kaplan, and I've got mixed reviews on it. Here goes:</p>
<p>Cons:
-The course moves WAY too slowly for someone who's already scoring pretty high. I was already at the 2200 mark when I started the course, and I was bored out of my mind for most of the lessons. In fact, I spent most of them doing the hw, or else explaining the questions to other people.</p>
<p>-The teachers vary greatly. I experienced 3 different people (took both PSAT and SAT review with Kaplan, and switched midway through PSAT), and they were all incredibly different. One of the teachers was a college grad student, completely unfamiliar with the test's administration and how to teach. Another was an excellent high school teacher who had previously worked for Kaplan's headquarters for years. The last was a nice, ok, but not too smart middle-aged woman who worked in school administration. So moral of the story--if you do take Kaplan and you're not satisfied with your teacher, try a different nearby Kaplan course if its offered and see if you prefer that teacher. They make switching really easy.</p>
<p>-They cancelled the course I was supposed to take. Twice.</p>
<p>-Practice tests have a really harsh curve on them. Don't take the curve too seriously.</p>
<p>-Course was expensive, about $950. Princeton Review is even slightly more, I believe.</p>
<p>Pros:</p>
<p>-It forces you to spend time on the subject for several hours a week. For someone like me who is rather unmotivated, it was good to have.</p>
<p>-The course materials that they provide are excellent. They give you a TON of practice tests and problems, more than you could ever reasonably complete. An extensive vocab list, flashcards, and additional strategies are also included--if you don't take the course, I'd still suggest getting some of their books.</p>
<p>-The questions were about equal difficulty to that of the SAT.</p>
<p>-If you're not doing so well to begin with, they can help greatly. My friend went up 220 points in the same course! (He started with like a 1500, though.)</p>
<p>-The timed practice tests (4 are offered throughout the course) are very, very useful. They really help you get used to the test and its length.</p>
<p>-They're very good about making up classes/switching classes. Quick phone call and you're done.</p>
<p>-In the end, I got a 2400. That speaks for itself, I guess. But was it the course or just the practice tests? I don't know.</p>
<p>So I guess my bottom line is: it's up to you. If you can dedicate yourself to learning the material, solidly reviewing for a few hours a week with fairly timed practice tests, then I'd say just get some review books and do it yourself. If you feel like you need the extra push, then go for a course.</p>
<p>Thanks I think I'll go with Kaplan.</p>
<p>Would people say princeton review, kaplan or testmasters is better for an SAT prep course?</p>
<p>My son took at Testmasters prep class and he was very pleased with the class and the results.</p>
<p>Most people say that testmasters is the best for sat and psat prep, but the classes are not available everywhere. I guess you can always take their online class if they dont hold classes in your area.</p>
<p>yeah, i really wanted to take testmasters once i heard about it, but they r only in some specific places, and the classes lead up to each SAT. i wanted to take it in the summer :(</p>
<p>I am taking testmasters right now, its pretty good</p>