<p>I"m looking for some recommendations about what prep course to use. My daughter will be taking the SAT subject Math IIC. Anyone of you have experience with any of the big companies such as Kaplan, Princeton, Ivybound, and so forth? any suggestions about what to look when selecting a prep course for the subject Math test?
Thanks in advance!</p>
<p>My son did self study for a couple of weeks with the PR book, and went from a 670 on the first test to a 760 on the second. He's taking the real thing 10/4. I'd save your money and get dd to spend a little time studying by herself.</p>
<p>Before you do, look up Xiggi's tips in the SAT-ACT forum.</p>
<p>Your son had a great improvement. I think people learn differently. And, at this point, I want her to learn the tricks for taking the test and to a lesser degree to review the subject matter tested.</p>
<p>When is it recommended that a student take the Math SAT II? After pre-calc, after calc? I know that it is recommended that the subject tests be taken as soon as possible after the corresponding high school course, but I'm just not sure which course that is for the Math SAT.</p>
<p>After pre-calc</p>
<p>I think the key to the Math IIC is taking practice tests. Buy Barrons (usually viewed as slightly harder than the actual test); there are also some practice tests online. I don't think a prep course is necessary for this test. If you are thinking about a prep course because you think your child could use an external motivator in prepping for this test, I'd recommend getting a private tutor (high school math teacher?) for just a couple of sessions. If your child is a strong math student, and takes the practice tests, he/she should be OK on this test.</p>
<p>jrpar, thanks for your post. Tutor? could work. I've thinking about prep course because my daughter doesn't do that well on standardized test. Would a prep course help her to be a better test taker?</p>
<p>This is a much more straightforward test than SAT Reasoning test Math. I don't see any advantage to a prep course for this over her just sitting down with a prep book. I'd also recommend the Barron's book. My daughter did better on the actual test than on the practice tests. If she can score over 700 in Barron's she should be in good shape.</p>
<p>I think I used Princeton Review back in the day (I took the test in 2002). I got an 800, so it apparently didn't <em>hurt</em> me. :) But I obviously don't know how I would have done with other books.</p>
<p>The subject tests are more straightforward than the SAT I. I think that a prep course will do less good (and PR covers tricks of the tests that they write for anyway).</p>
<p>I have a rant on the ACT/SAT board about Barrons, if you go with a book. The Barrons we bought was a mess and we returned it, but others really liked it. Good luck!</p>
<p>There's lots of debate here on CC as to whether or not prep courses help that much. Some kids find courses really helpful, others not so much. Subjects tests cover a relatively narrow area of knowledge, and I think a lot of students find that prep courses aren't as helpful or necessary for SAT II's. Your daughter probably just needs someone to help her focus on the material she will need to review for this test. The timing of the Math IIC can be an issue - you need to be able to move pretty quickly through the test to answer enough questions to get a good score. Practice tests definitely help with the timing. Both my sons found that the practice tests they took prepped them for the real thing - you tend to see the same types of questions over and over on these tests. </p>
<p>Is your daughter a strong math student? The IIC is an easy test for very strong math students, but it can be a very tough test if you are not a strong math student.</p>
<p>Thanks all for the feedback. I'll make sure she does a lot of practice tests before the real one. I'm getting a little bit hesitant about paying for the prep course after all of your comments. Thanks.
jrpar, my daughter gets the concepts but usually makes little mistakes on calculations. She gets either B+/A- in all her math classes -algebra, geometry, pre-cal.</p>
<p>D did the self study from a book got an 800. Cheaper and does not constrain you to a specific training time. The issue of course is your D self motivated enough to make up and stick to a schedule. Good luck.</p>
<p>jessiehl , 800, great score...what were your grades on your math classes?</p>
<p>hikids, wow! 800. Did your D get really good grades on her HS Math classes?</p>
<p>My DS (a junior this year) took the Math II test last year (hist first subject test) and scored an 800. He did self-study from two prep books (which have now been passed on so sorry, I forget which ones they were.) His self-study was needed since he ended up taking this after finishing AP Calculus BC, as opposed to the prior year after completing Honors Trig/Math Analysis.</p>
<p>As an aside, you might want to know, if you have a choice as to what subject tests to take, that some are more generously graded, meaning that its easier to score an 800. </p>
<p>This has been known to be the case for Math II and Physics. You can read up on this at the College Board web site and other places. IMO, some of the students are already aware of this. My DS found this out from another student in the class.</p>