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05-02-2008, 03:36 PM
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#1 | | Senior Member
Join Date: May 2005 Location: northeast
Threads: 213
Posts: 4,311
| Test Prep Programs
I had heard that a lot of these companies manage to give you a lower score than you might really earn initially on their "intake exam", so that they can show improvement after their classes. Overall, did you find this to be true, or just fiction? If it is true, how do that they do that? | 
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05-02-2008, 07:21 PM
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#2 | | Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Canada; Penn 2012
Threads: 13
Posts: 1,580
| I would guess they would write the "intake exam" to be more difficult than the actual SAT, so you score lower. Then for the final exam, they'll make the questions easier, so it looks like you've improved.
No idea if it's true, as I never took a course. | |
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05-02-2008, 08:06 PM
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#3 | | Senior Member
Join Date: May 2005 Location: northeast
Threads: 213
Posts: 4,311
| Well, that is what I heard. I was wondering if others found this to be the case, and how they do it if they are using actual SAT or ACT questions? Perhaps they take hard questions from multiple exams and rewrite them into a new exam that they use for their intake? I am asking because my kid scored lower on their testing than the practice standardized testing in his high school (scored lower on 3 out of 4 sections). It really makes me wonder. | |
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05-02-2008, 08:34 PM
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#4 | | Junior Member
Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Houston, Texas Gender: Male
Threads: 16
Posts: 175
| they don't help you with much.
most of the tutors are poorly trained. | |
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05-02-2008, 08:41 PM
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#5 | | Senior Member
Join Date: May 2005 Location: northeast
Threads: 213
Posts: 4,311
| Maybe, but it is forced practice and studying, with forced homework. My kid is not motivated enough to self study, IMO. | |
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05-02-2008, 10:50 PM
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#6 | | Junior Member
Join Date: Apr 2008
Threads: 9
Posts: 53
| wow is that the truth ???. I will take one prep course to help boost my score. I don't know where the teachers get the questions from ?? Do they write themselves?? | |
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05-03-2008, 01:12 PM
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#7 | | Junior Member
Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: New England, USA Gender: Male
Threads: 35
Posts: 243
| I think that the only reason prep companies "work" is because you're forced to do the work; self-studying is probably more effective (if you already understand the basic material), but the problem is that most people aren't exactly clamoring to get to their SAT books on a lovely sunny weekend. But when you have to, on the other hand.... | |
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05-03-2008, 01:38 PM
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#8 | | Junior Member
Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Houston, Texas Gender: Male
Threads: 16
Posts: 175
| i find that studying with friends is better than a prep course.
its more "competitive" | |
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05-05-2008, 11:42 AM
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#9 | | Member
Join Date: May 2007
Threads: 13
Posts: 530
| I would think it is like any business of this sort. Some will be less than honest, others will be very honest. The one I am aware of through a friend says they just use readily available SAT type test to get a real baseline. Then go from there. From what I was told they focus on teach test taking tricks and push the student to work on their vocabulary a lot. I agree with those who say do it on your own. D was very successful studying herself, allowed her to set her own schedule, rather than have to conform to someone elses. However, I do think that if the student is not self motivated or needs someone to "crack the wip" then one of these programs can be good just because it makes them study. | |
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05-06-2008, 08:23 PM
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#10 | | Junior Member
Join Date: Apr 2008
Threads: 9
Posts: 53
| yeah on the SAT the best way is train yourself. But I think working with at least one more friend is very helpful. You may not get bored and get the tips from friends too. | |
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