Anybody used them for SSAT? Trying to decide between Test Innovators and Ivy Global and leaning towards SSAT due to their partnership with SSAT Official Test Guide. Any inputs or any other suggestions?
Thanks in advance!
Hi Arden - we used them for one summer online session (think it was 4 or 5 classes). For our student it was helpful being in an online (video chat) forum with 4 other students from around the country during the sessions. Very few people in our neck of the woods take the SSAT or apply to BS, so for our student, it was validating to know that other kids were being “tormented” by their parents to familiarize themselves with the test. Our kiddo did not study as much as we had hoped for the SSAT, but did just fine. The strategies offered were helpful, because our kiddo was unfamiliar with standardized test formats. Frankly, think studying with the SSAT online practice items and Test Guide is most helpful.
Thanks @Golfgr8
We are only interested in their practice tests. My wife is a teacher and she will handle the one on one test prep. Did you like their practice tests or no?
FWIW @ArdenNJ , the online SSAT practice tests were just as good - think also cheaper - but this was a couple of years ago. The SSAT online materials were consistent with the material on the actual test.
Further to what @Golfgr8 wrote, the SSAT test changes quite often and sometimes other providers’ practice materials are outdated, so the best source is the online SSAT practice tests.
With an educator in the family, once you understand the difference between the testing style/objective difference between the SSAT and your typical standardized school test (regurgitation vs analytical thinking), you can use free resources like Khan Academy. I bought Test Innovators for my youngest, he was entertained for a day or so, and went back to Khan Academy. He scored +90 on the SSAT.
Thanks. We will also use Khan Academy. Appreciate all the input. So we should stay away from Kaplan, Princeton Review, Barron’s etc right?
To add my opinion as a student @ArdenNJ, I personally really enjoyed them. I used the test prep site with the practice tests almost everyday for a straight 3 months before the test. The video course was pretty weak, but with that being said the practice tests made up for it. It is quite pricy if you want 3+ practice tests, but for me it was a worthy investment. My only major criticism of the practice tests, is that they are quite challenging and may not accurately reflect your actual scores. I was sometimes scoring in the 70th percentile on the practice, but I ended up scoring in the 98th percentile on the actual test ( that could be just me though:) ). Overall I think although it has its flaws, it really is one of the best sites out there. Good Luck!!
Thanks @cmbyn02
We also value the Practice Tests most and that was the reason we gravitated towards Test Innovators. Appreciate the input and good luck to you wherever you are.