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ReallyTrying
Citizen
Username: Reallytrying
Post Number: 218
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, December 23, 2003 - 4:47 pm: | 
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My daughter insists she needs a tutor for the SAT, although (1) she did very well on the PSAT, and (2) I think a private tutor is a bit of status symbol.
All opining aside, I would appreciate hearing from those with older children as to SAT tutors, prep classes, prep books, etc. Any recommendations? Good or bad experiences to share?
I'm probably not gonna check back in here for a few days. Merry Christmas / Happy Hanukah / Happy Kwanza / Merry Winter Solstice to all! |
jem
Citizen
Username: Jem
Post Number: 848
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, December 24, 2003 - 8:38 am: |
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When you get back from all your celebration, Really Trying - and I hope they were happy and merry! - here's my experience. All three of my kids took Kaplan SAT prep classes, and without exception the prep raised their scores - in one case by 100 points. Partly it's the experience of taking the tests multiple times and partly it's the test-taking strategies that the instructors pass on to the kids. It seemed worthwhile to me.
If your child is at Columbia, you might want to check to see if the school is having Kaplan conduct SAT prep classes there at a somewhat reduced fee - they've done it in the past. |
flugermongers
Citizen
Username: Flugermongers
Post Number: 98
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, December 28, 2003 - 10:53 pm: |
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Yes, I can't remember exactly what it was, or if it was Kaplan - but there was a course I was going to take for free. Unfortunately I fell ill and missed the first two classes... so I couldn't go to the rest. Nonetheless, they're there somewhere. |
ReallyTrying
Citizen
Username: Reallytrying
Post Number: 222
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, December 30, 2003 - 10:12 am: |
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Aren't there any parents of high school / college age students who have an opinion or advice on this? How about you students out there?
If it's all right, I think I'll move this to the Education forum. |
jem
Citizen
Username: Jem
Post Number: 851
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, December 30, 2003 - 10:18 am: |
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I responded to your query just two posts above your post. My opinion in brief: Test prep is worthwhile. |
bobk
Supporter
Username: Bobk
Post Number: 4171
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, December 30, 2003 - 10:28 am: |
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Depends on the kid. Our daughter raised her score by over 100 points via Kaplan. Our son, on thge other hand, took the course and actually scored lower than before. |
viva
Citizen
Username: Viva
Post Number: 327
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, December 30, 2003 - 10:44 am: |
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Buy "10 Real SATs" which is put out by The College Board. $ 18.95. |
tjohn
Citizen
Username: Tjohn
Post Number: 2018
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, December 30, 2003 - 11:25 am: |
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ReallyTrying,
I guess I am from the Stone Age. In 1974-75, I took the PSATs once and the SATs twice. When I took the SATs, the first time, my verbal exceeded my math score and the second time, my math exceeded my verbal.
I suppose taking the tests multiple times helped. Probably what helped more was not be stressed about SATs and college. I knew I could get into a decent college somewhere and wasn't overly concerned about whether it was Cornell or Lehigh or Franklin & Marshall.
I think the biggest thing that I can do for my children is give them that same feeling of confidence so that they don't get too stressed by these tests. |
ReallyTrying
Citizen
Username: Reallytrying
Post Number: 225
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, December 30, 2003 - 12:24 pm: |
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tjohn, I'm more stone age than you: I took the PSAT in 1972, and the SAT a total of three times in 1973. Never did any prepping at all, aside from getting a good night's sleep the night before. But things seem to be rather different now, and apparently everyone has a private tutor, doncha know.
(Thanks, jem, I did see your posting. I appreciate your sharing.) |
sportsnut
Citizen
Username: Sportsnut
Post Number: 811
Registered: 10-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, December 30, 2003 - 12:39 pm: |
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"But things seem to be rather different now, and apparently everyone has a private tutor, doncha know."
My take basically relates to that statement. You need to ask yourself if you are putting your child at a disadvantage by not allowing them to take the prep courses since everyone else is.
My opinion formed after taking prep courses for the CPA exam, the LSAT and the GMAT is that they are a necessary evil. I tried studying for the CPA exam on my own and it was overwhelming. I took the course and they were able to narrow down the topics to a manageable amount. It made it much easier to concentrate my efforts. By all means if you can afford it do it.
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ReallyTrying
Citizen
Username: Reallytrying
Post Number: 226
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, December 30, 2003 - 1:38 pm: |
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sportsnut, I have no intention of depriving my child of anything that will help her; I'm not sure where I implied that. I'm here seeking advice on what to do. I know every well the value of such courses, having taken two in prep for the bar exam. I truly welcome any helpful suggestions. |
jfburch
Citizen
Username: Jfburch
Post Number: 1192
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, December 30, 2003 - 1:39 pm: |
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Haven't done a prep class or had a kid do one, but I have taught a few prep classes.
It does probably depend on the kid.
Many people who take the test more than once will see a bounce up in their scores, some are uneven, some near level. Prep may or may not add to the bounce.
Prep will give a kid:
1) increased familiarity with the tasks/problems on the test (so can an SAT review book as viva notes)
2) practice with test taking under test conditions (4+ times in a Kaplan course)
3) some review of content, especially for math; verbal depends hugely on vocab and years of reading does better than all the cramming in the world
4) some concrete methods for approaching different kinds of problems/tasks---this can be especially helpful for kids who fall apart under time pressure or test stress and guess wildly, spin their wheels, second guess themselves, or make careless errors--though many don't always (or ever) try to apply the methods, at least in practice tests.
5) some test specific strategies for guessing when necessary that can add a few points
6) possibly increased confidence going into the test--though this is highly individual
As with anything else, the kids with the biggest gains do the most practice and review outside of the prep classroom in addition to the classes.
Many to most find the classes boring and/or exhausting and/or stressful. Some kids find the relentless focus on improving scores increases their stress by the end of the course--though they may still tackle the test with more sureness. For some, the structure of the class is the only way to get them to do any review at all and that alone (30 some hours) may give them a little boost.
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jfburch
Citizen
Username: Jfburch
Post Number: 1193
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, December 30, 2003 - 1:43 pm: |
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(Oh, and some professional tests may be a bit different from SATs which measure vocab and certain kinds of reasoning more than any specific body of knowledge (except perhaps some algebra and geometry). |
sportsnut
Citizen
Username: Sportsnut
Post Number: 814
Registered: 10-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, December 30, 2003 - 1:48 pm: |
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Reallytrying - in no way did I mean to imply that you specifically were depriving your child. If it came out that way I apologize. I meant it in a very generic way that anyone who doesn't take one these days is really at a disadvantage when compared to those who do.
And as to recommendations - I've used both Kaplan and princeton review and found them both adequate. I found the live instructions more helpful (at least for the first attempt, subsequent attempts the books were more than adequate.) |
bobk
Supporter
Username: Bobk
Post Number: 4174
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, December 30, 2003 - 2:03 pm: |
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A lot depends on where your daughter is in the food chain. 
Is she borderline for a first tier college? Would an extra 50 or 100 points make the difference and get her into Harvard? If this is the case a private tutor might be worth the angst, money and effort. Otherwise, I would suggest the Kaplan course, pretty much for the reasons JF mentions, my son to the contrary, it helps most who take it.
A word of warning about Columbia. The kids get very competitive about college and getting accepted at the most prestigious school they possibly can get into. Often the school isn't a good match. My daughter would have been better off at a smaller, lower key school than the U of C. Several of her friends changed schools after their freshman year and others have basically flunked out.
If your daughter is more of a B student I strongly suggest picking up a copy of a book called "Colleges that Change Lives" by Lauren Pope. It basically explains that there is life after high school for those who don't graduate in the top 5% of the class and profiles a number of colleges.
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ReallyTrying
Citizen
Username: Reallytrying
Post Number: 229
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, December 30, 2003 - 2:22 pm: |
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sportsnut, thanks; I understand.
bobk and jfburch, thanks for your words. My daughter actually tests very well (at least I think so), and another 100 points could very well boost her into the Ivies if that's what she wants. (I have taken to heart your comments about competition and choosing a school, and I agree wholeheartedly.) |
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