<p>Sooo this is my first post to CC. I've been considering lately whether or not I should take a Kaplan SAT prep course to help raise my embarrassing 1800 SAT score :(. I know it's extremely expensive and I don't want to put my parents through paying for something like that, especially if it won't be useful. But they said they are totally willing if the class will help me get the score I want. I've already read that these courses don't help those who score in the 2000s, but what about those who score lower (like me) in the 1800s? I'm hardworking and plan to study extra outside of the prep course; do any of you think it'll be beneficial for me to take it? Thx so much!</p>
<p>Don’t do it I took the course and those guys sucked.They give you a hard diagnostic so you get a low score and then at the end of the course they give you an easy one in which you score like 200 points higher making it look like you improved 200 points when really you didn’t learn anything. Just do practice tests on your own for maximum increase.</p>
<p>I got an online course for fre through my dad’s work. I guess its helping but I’m not really sure.</p>
<p>Dude, I was in the same situation. I took it dry the first time and scored an 1850, and I knew I could do better. My dad put me through the Kaplan course which was a decent amount of weeks long. Sure, the practice tests are basically BS and they make it so you see a large increase from the first practice test you take on the first session to the one you take on your last session. But honestly, the practice tests in the course mean nothing. I only went to the first one which was mandatory and the last one which was also mandatory, and I never even worried what I got on them. What I was there for was just the review work that was given in the three hour classroom sessions. I don’t know if it totally helped skill wise, or all the practice work and seeing the questions constantly helped me know the questions a lot better…but in the end it raised me from an 1850 to a 2090. Again, I’m not sure how much that was actually because of the class, but hey, if you can swing it, it most definitely would not hurt.</p>
<p>If I were you, I’d buy some SAT prep workbooks and self-study. Good ones offer explanations for why the correct answer is correct and why the others are not. I know some people with perfect scores and they say to take ten previous SAT tests and rework them until you know everything. This might be a bit extreme, but either way, I think self-studying is a better option.</p>
<p>All these guys want is $$$$ …it’s best if you try to study on your own.</p>
<p>To all of you–thx so much for your input. It’s obvious that everyone has different opinions about these kinds of prep classes though, lolz. In the end I’m still undecided…I think for now I’ll just continue studying on my own, and I’ll buy a new-and-improved Blue Book from College Board (the one I’m using now is the first edition and it’s from when my older B applied to college haha). If my scores on those practice tests don’t improve, then I’ll probably freak out and take the class last minute:). I really don’t mean to pester but I have one last question–are there any other prep books you guys would recommend? And I mean one for each section of the SAT-- the best writing prep book, the best CR prep book, and the best math prep? Thanks! (I feel like I say “thank you” a lot, but I swear it’s genuine whenever I say it. A lot of people on CC seem to know a lot more than I do about these kinds of things, and your answers are really helpful.)</p>
<p>You have more than just the two following options: taking a Kaplan prep course or not taking the course.</p>
<p>If you are sufficiently motivated, then self-study is the cheapest option.</p>
<p>You should also consider private one-on-one tutoring…which can actually cost less than a formal Kaplan course. You’ll get more attention, the curriculum will be tailored to your needs, and many private tutors will work with you in the comfort of your own home. Ask your friends if they know of any good tutors in your area.</p>
<p>Don’t stress out too much over your SAT score. I’ve worked with lots of hard-working kids who posted an initial score in the 1800s and worked their way into the 2000s. Some even broke the 2200 barrier. It happens.</p>
<p>Good luck.</p>
<p>^^Thank you, I feel a bit more hopeful now!! 
And sorry, I know this response is delayed. At the moment I’m debating between private tutoring (I found a site called “TestMasters” that offered 1 hour private tutoring for $100) and self-studying. I mainly need to bring up my math score–has anyone ever had private tutoring from “TestMasters” (specifically for math)?? And do you have any positive/negative feedback about your experience with them?? Thank you.</p>
<p>Hi lovingBrown! I live in Texas and I used TestMasters private math tutoring. I think I took 2 or 3 private 2 hour sessions. The material they give you to review over is good. They go over all the types of questions you will see on the actual test.
The only thing I didn’t like was that my tutor was kind of awkward and I felt uncomfortable around him haha. And my math score only went up 30 points. I started with a 540 and raised it to 570. Math is obviously not my strong subject hehe.
Personally, if you struggle with the advanced level problems, TestMasters might be sort of helpful but you’re probably better off using the money for prep books and just self studying!</p>
<p>^^Hello, texasdancer! I’ve never experienced any kind of tutoring session before; do the actual tutors always have to provide the lesson plan/problems for you, or can I provide some as well?? B/c I found a bunch of harder math problems in my older brother’s SAT prep book that I have NOOO idea how to solve (mainly all the logic-type problems, like “what’s the 56th term in the sequence?”) and no one else in my family knows how to do them, either, so…can I simply spend the hour-long tutoring session going over any problem I want? Thx :)</p>
<p>P.S. And don’t worry about your math score, my score is actually VERY close to yours, hehe.</p>
<p>
More important than the specific company…is the tutor/instructor. Ask other students/friends in your area for word-of-mouth referrals.</p>
<p>I’ve worked for several different companies over the years, and the majority of the tutors/instructors with whom I worked weren’t very good at all. Some companies provide pretty good “home-grown” study materials; others use stuff that’s worse than what can be bought commercially. For the most part, a company will hire whoever answers a local ad (Craigslist?), provide the new-hire minimal training (sometimes none at all), and assign the new employee to a student/students/class. There is an impressive amount of turnover in instructional staff at test prep companies for various reasons, one of which is the low pay for teachers. Often times, instructors are paid $20/hr when the company is charging each student $100+/hr.</p>
<p>Just because a tutor/instructor has some sort of teaching credential…doesn’t necessarily mean that the person will be a good teacher. I’ve seen many credentialed high school teachers turn out to be horrible test prep instructors. <em>shrug</em></p>
<p>I worked for HSA (doing non-tutoring-related tasks) when I was an undergrad there. Although I like the idea of the HSA Tutoring service (competent students providing test prep services), I’ve been on the “teaching” and “learning” ends of online tutoring. It pales in comparison to in-person tutoring for many reasons. Just what I’ve found in my experience…</p>
<p>I took the prep and if you can score 1700+ then Kaplan is most likely not for you</p>
<p>Veritas Prep seems like the biggest scam… Every website I go on or Youtube video I watch, I see that add about that Shaan Patel guy wanting to rip someone off.</p>
<p>Yes, you can tell the tutor exactly what you are struggling with and they will help you! My tutor usually brought a packet that covered a specific advanced topic and we went over that, and then the other problems from my blue boon I needed help with! I recommend it! Good luck!</p>
<p>No don’t take the course, I took it last fall and really did not help me to raise my score by that much. If you already have an 1800, Kaplan might only help you to raise your score by 100-200 pts. If you want a 2000+ then I recommend just buying books and self studying.</p>