SAT Prep course

nervousfreshie · 10-16-2012, 09:17 PM

Hi guys, I'm new here and I was wondering, for the people who had already taken the SATs, did you self study, join an SAT study group, had an online course or hired a private tutor? How was your experiences? I an planning to take the SATs next year and I really do not know which option to take. It seems like hiring a tutor is the best method, but also the most costly. I am afraid that if I join an online course, it would be a rip off and I won't learn anything. Lastly, if I join an SAT group class, I'm not so sure I would learn as much. My mom told me that all of the methods are the same, they would just give you practice tests to do, but I am pretty sure they will also give you some tips and tricks to ace your SATs.

So what method do you guys think is the most efficient/ effective, and how were your experiences?

atomom · 10-17-2012, 07:48 PM

Get the Official Guide to the SAT put out by the College Board. The Kaplan book with 12 practice tests is also good and has helpful tips. There is no magic to it. Just use self discipline and do as many practice tests as you can. Carefully review all questions that you miss, analyze why you missed them--then you'll be less likely to miss the same types of questions the next time. Tutors and courses don't have any secret tips that aren't in the practice books.
Buying the prep books and USING them is the least expensive way to study. But if you won't actually USE the books without "encouragement," then maybe you need a course/tutor/study group to help you along.

atomom · 10-17-2012, 07:58 PM

Just look at any bookstore or on-line booksellers like amazon for SAT prep books. There are a lot of different ones besides Kaplan--Barrons, Princeton Review are other popular prep books. The Official Guide has 10 real tests. Others are modeled on the SAT. I've found Kaplan to be reliable. (I'm a parent/teacher doing PSAT/SAT prep since 2004. I recommend self-study.) Doing practice tests and becoming very familiar with the types of questions used is the best way to improve your score, imo.

nervousfreshie · 10-17-2012, 08:35 PM

thanks for the information! but, what is the kaplan book? where can you buy it, and does it have questions from old SAT tests, or are they just made up questions? Because I have read many threads which mention that doing made up questions won't really help you? did you self study?

nervousfreshie · 10-18-2012, 12:56 AM

thank you so much! I will definitely go get some of the books you recommended!

26antara · 10-18-2012, 07:18 AM

I took one-on-one prep courses. They gave you a diagnostic test first, which I got a 1650 on. They said I needed 46 hours of prep (23 classes). I would have 1-2 classes every week, for 3 hours each. Honestly, the classes did help me a lot. More than anything, my tutors restored my confidence. But you will need to do some outside prep alone- taking a course by itself won't help.

nervousfreshie · 10-18-2012, 08:42 PM

the problem with groups, for me, is that I am afraid the teacher will only teach us stuff we already know, or if there are some people in my class who are smarter then me, I may lag behind or something D: does anyone know if BENCHPREP is effective? Has anyone used it before?

wilsun007 · 10-23-2012, 08:32 PM

If you have enough time, study by yourself and do practice tests. Take an SAT and if you still need to improve, shell out the money for a prep course or a tutor.

PandaManda · 10-24-2012, 08:10 PM

Hey! so theres also three or four good threads that have tips and advice and things to study so look for them and also buy a SAT book

YoHoYoHo · 10-25-2012, 01:09 AM

Look up the guides on cc written by Silverturtle and Xiggi. They walk you thru self-study