<p>Not much actual info in the SAT / ACT prep section on this company from anyone who actually took the class.
Son needs the discipline of a classroom setting.
I'll be checking on the background of the proposed teacher, but anyone have actual experience with them?</p>
<p>All 4 of mine took the Studyworks course and all liked it and did well on the SATs. They weren't trying for perfect scores but all improved over 200 points from PSAT equivalent. They, too, needed the discipline of a classroom. We found them to be very flexible, too, if a class had to be missed. The teacher even gave S2 private math lessons. He scored so much higher in math than English that he belonged in 2 different classes but could not schedule that. </p>
<p>We would recommend them, at least in our area.</p>
<p>Singersmom, So did you only pay for the group classes, and then get the private math tutoring for the price of a group class? Did you pay for private tutoring? Is that most worthwhile or are the group classes going to help to raise scores significantly? Also, did your children take advantage of the "free retakes" for the $99 "administration fee"? Are the 5-7 classes enough to raise scores by 300 points? How many students are usually in a group? This looks interesting to me, so thanks for the name.</p>
<p>We found them very flexible, we only paid for the group lessons. The teacher volunteered the math tutoring since he did not need a lot, covered it in about an hour after the regular english class. Would not count on it though. We just could not schedule the right math part any other time. She was very cooperative with his schedule. The classes had about 10-15 in them for some, for others smaller. Mine took SAT in June which is not as popular, but it is after the sports and performance seasons. </p>
<p>They did not take the free retake as they were satisfied with their scores. They were not trying for HPY, MIT or Caltech level. Scores got them where they wanted to go. In the old SAT it was over 1400. DD is a performer so she did not care much and didn't do quite as well but her scores qualified her for scholarships. They were not really diligent about the homework either. Probably would have been even better had they done more. We really were just interested in preparing them for the formats and practices so the number of lessons was fine.</p>
<p>Singersmom, thanks. Do you know anything by word of mouth from parents if the 1:1 classses with and/or without the groups sessions are worth it? What goes on in these classes? Do they assign word lists and math formulas and then assign practice tests and then review them in class (while teaching test taking stradegies)? Also, is the ACT class and the SAT class equally good from what you have heard? I want get some tutoring from my son, but am currently undecided on whether to go the individual tutoring, group route, or both. Thanks.</p>
<p>Thanks for the info Singer, sounds good so far.
Was there an online HW component to it?
Thanks</p>
<p>Sorry northeast - I don't know anything else. choice is really what you want to get out of it and temperament of child. </p>
<p>xNYer - not when mine took it.</p>
<p>Okay, Thanks.</p>
<p>D took SAT studyworks class last year. It was reccomended to us by a friend. (Other D had taken Kaplan course and was not happy with teacher or structure of course). D#2 loved the studyworks teacher. I wanted to do something due to test anxiety and this teacher really gave her confidence. She found the binder of test materials very helpful. Her scores increased almost 300 points from the PSAT but I am sure some of this was due to the year that had passed. The class was small(6 students I think) Class started promptly and large amount of material was covered in class. She had homework. (I can ask her what homework was) I don't think they did any tests from start to finish. It was focused on tricks to tackle problems not sure about. Teacher was especially informative on how to score high on the essay.</p>
<p>There was one area of math that my D didn't remember covering in school, so I called the company to try an arrange some private sessions. However, they never responded despite multiple attempts. This was a disappointment.</p>
<p>I did reccomend the program to a friend who called to arrange private sessions for the ACT and she experienced no problem setting this up. Her D however did not raise her ACT scores after private tutoring.</p>
<p>So I guess like everything else part of the experience is the teacher you get and the kind of students in class with your child. Our expereince was a good one. If we had had more time she would have taken the Hope this helps.</p>
<p>This was very helpful. Thanks. I wonder why they never got back with you. That does bother me. For the person taking the private tutoring, did they find the teacher helpful, and learn a lot? I wonder why scores did not improve. For what it would cost to do private lessons, that would aggrevate me. My older son did tutor privately. Part of that tutoring was forcing him to sit for the full test several times! I think that was very helpful. The tutor said that this is also an indurance test (I agree), and that sitting through the whole thing builds taht indurance, and also gives everyone general feedback on current score range. Also, the tutor then reviewed any missed Qs with my son at the end of these. I am surprised that this program does not do all of this.</p>
<p>To be fair, she had taken the studyworks class in April, I believe, so it was May when I was trying to set up the private sessions. So....I was probably trying to do this at their bussiest time of the year. The particular teacher we were asking for is very popular.</p>
<p>Friend's daughter was also doing private tutoring in May for the June test. Perhaps it didn't help her because it was too late in the year. The kids are so stressed by then.</p>
<p>Kaplan test prep class did make the kids take multiple tests (at least four) in classroom setting. However, the tests were made up by the Kaplan people to be SIMILAR to an actual SAT, but not a REAL SAT. They guarenteed a score increase, or some money back. Sounds good, right? Well. everyone in the class experienced a score increase over the four tests and D felt the tests were intentionally easier as the class progressed to insure this outcome. She did however experience the 3-4 hour endurance test that my studyworks daughter did not. We tried to compensate for this by dropping my studyworks daughter off at the library for 4 hours to take practice tests.</p>
<p>The Kaplan test teacher was a recent IVY league graduate who had scored well on his SAT. The studyworks teacher was an expereinced HS Science teacher who was currently home with young children and working part time evenings and weekends for studyworks. Clearly the studyworks teacher was a superior teacher. Scoring high on the SAT 5 years ago does not necessarily equal someone who can teach well.</p>
<p>This was our experience. Whatever class you choose, I would ask lots of questions about who is doing the teaching and the stucture of the class.</p>
<p>Thanks applicantmum. As far as the group classes, do they have a word list to memorize, grammer rules to learn, etc.?</p>
<p>Do you think this course is worth driving an hour to? I checked their website and they have a 5 week course starting late January - February to prepare for the March SAT. They have different levels of classes designed for students who are expeceted to score at a certain level (for example below 500, above 500, etc). I like that because one of my fears is that the class would be too hard or move to fast.</p>
<p>I couldn't find an email address on the site but I was able to find one on a site promoting StudyWorks. I want to find out more about the private tutoring option.</p>
<p>When your kids took this class had they done anything to prepare before taking the class? I would love to do a 5-week class, have her take the test and hopefully be done with it but I'm concerned that that's alot to expect in 5 weeks.</p>
<p>Would you try the class first or go right to private tutoring?
Thanks for the information</p>
<p>techiemom, I just sent a PM to you.</p>
<p>Signed up for the class with the 300 point guarantee. I'll let all know how it works out. Starting with a 1250/1600.</p>
<p>Am looking for a quick SAT prep (crash course) for son. Tried the online courses (Princeton Review, College Board) but he was not motivated at all. Scored a 2060 which is ‘ok’ but think he could improve.</p>
<p>Anyone with recent StudyWorks experience? Would like to sign up shortly for the Oct or Nov SAT.</p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>PS Other two sons attended H and Y.</p>
<p>Don’t want to post publicly. It didn’t help my D at all. Probably a private tutor would be better.</p>