<p>like they're 800$ I think...
Kaplan? Princetown Review?</p>
<p>As a parent and teacher, I think that prep classes for high school test are not needed. I dont think teens need to study any more than review the directions and maybe do a few practice test, for rhythm.</p>
<p>I know, personally, that it doesnt take a 99% to get into good bs’s. Plus many teens/parents say that their score was 99% yet was not selected by any school.</p>
<p>Review the rules, and read some good books.</p>
<p>IMHO</p>
<p>No… if you really need help get a tutor. Mine was dirt cheap, 30$ an hour. And he did wonders. Probably better than Kaplan’s class.</p>
<p>As educators, we also consider prep classes for standardized tests as a waste of time and money. There is no magic number needed for acceptance; the schools are looking for a ‘package’.</p>
<p>What’s your objective? Is it to get into “the top school” or is it to get into a school that’s a really good fit for you? If it’s the latter, then let the SSAT test be an honest indicator of who you are - and not an indicator how good your tutor was! Consider the possibility that if you get into a school where you are actually one of the weakest students then you could be pretty miserable there.</p>
<p>Not everyone is a natural testaker getting 99%, although sometimes it feels that way on this site. Most of the rest of students could really benefit from doing some practice tests on their own. Buy a book or two not for the study tips but for the practice questions and practice tests. I know my kids benefitted and it was not a huge investment or huge effort–just practicing, much as one would get out and do some dribbling and shooting before basketball tryouts.</p>
<p>I’m with erlanger. I think getting the books so that you/your child is familiar with the test format is a smart idea.</p>
<p>It’s totally up to you, but, speaking solely for myself as a full-aid student, I have a little resentment for people who pay for prep classes. Paying for tutors or classes for a single test only fuels standardized testing inequities. It’s part of the reason that the more affluent tend to score better on the SAT than do the less well-off, and that annoys me considerably. If you have $800 to drop on what amounts to a single test, do it, but if I had that money, I’d probably use it for something a little more constructive and a little less unethical.</p>
<p>In my opinion: only if you are a really bad test taker and it will help you psychologically. These tests are supposed to measure aptitude, but the human brain is adaptable, and if you practice enough you’ll likely find it easier to answer the questions. Thus, you’re kind of faking your aptitude. This is unfair to those who only get the 2 practice tests provided in the study booklet. I agree with TomTheCat.</p>
<p>TomTheCat: from what we’ve read, to help level the playing field between the affluent and FA kids, Deerfield offers free SAT classes. While the school is intrinsically against any standardized test prep, they were faced with the issue of students who could afford SAT prep classes versus those that couldn’t.</p>
<p>^^^While you may not agree with a student/family choosing SSAT tutoring, I don’t know if I’d call it unethical.</p>
<p>After all, some people may think that me buying SSAT prep books (for the practice tests, as there is no free booklet - that I know of - a la SAT) for my daughter is against the “measure of aptitude” intent of the test, but I didn’t want her going into the SSAT without being familiar with the format. To me, that’s just me doing my job as a parent.</p>
<p>I bought the official SSAT prep book, too - for something like $24. That’s considerably less than the cost of the test itself, so I actually don’t think there would be too many people who’d take issue with that. Also… That’s not “tutoring,” is it? I’m talking about the $800 classes that the OP mentioned. If you don’t think those classes are unethical, well, we can agree to disagree.</p>
<p>As for Deerfield’s free SAT prep courses, good for them for trying to level the playing field within the school.</p>
<p>Exeter also makes an online tutoring program available to all students for the SAT starting in their upper year. Andover doesn’t do that as well, Tom?</p>
<p>Yeah, we have that on Naviance Family Connection.</p>
<p>SSAT = SATI? I am confused…</p>
<p>SSAT = Secondary School Admission Test</p>