Kaplan vs. PR

zakkusu · 07-01-2008, 02:30 PM

I already understand that the SAT is difficult and it will take more than an hour a day of study to fully prepare one for it. I know that Kaplan and Princeton Review both help a student immensely in overall performance during the SAT? But from someone who has taken the SAT, which turns up more promising results? What makes the more promising one so much easier to achieve 2400 or close on the SAT.

Godfatherbob · 07-01-2008, 05:36 PM

Both PR and Kaplan suck.

Invoyable · 07-01-2008, 05:45 PM

Neither, really. Roll the dice and if it's 1, go Kaplan, if it's 2, go PR, if it's 3~6, go watch a movie, play some games, go drunk driving, or have sex (jk about the last two, please).

Invoyable · 07-01-2008, 05:48 PM

In halfhearted seriousness, though, you should honestly take a look at both of the books and see which one seems to be your "style", and go with that one. It'll help you best, probably.

Vivi · 07-01-2008, 06:12 PM

PR over Kaplan. Get the 11 Practice Tests book and get to work.

littlebell · 07-01-2008, 06:52 PM

Go with Rocket Review if you haven't gotten the book.

zakkusu · 07-03-2008, 07:42 PM

You guys seem to have strong feelings against Kaplan & PR. Why? Are there any particular reasons as to why?

grayfalcon89 · 07-03-2008, 08:05 PM

PR is decent. It's not too horrible.

Kaplan is a nightmare. For one thing, it doesn't reflect what the real SAT tests. I literally opened Kaplan's SAT prep and shut it down because it was so stupid.

Rocket Review is good, and I think Barron is good too. But mostly, finish your blue book first and see where you're at (or hire a tutor... I tend to discourage from online course because that's an easy rip off of money).

ccfaithful · 07-04-2008, 01:07 AM

I hate pr most.
Its reading section is horrible: full of meaningless confusing similar answer choices.
Its paragraph enhancement part in writing, nightmare: it makes you give up the part.
I think kaplan is ok even though it is far from being perfect.

Ryan123 · 07-04-2008, 04:58 PM

I was going through my SAT stuff today and i was reading something on math from princeton review and they suggested that you should guess if you can eliminate one answer choice. I don't think that's a really good strategy because you still have a high chance of getting the question wrong, -1/4 pt. but you could still get it correct. PR still might be good though, i don't know.

Quicksandslowly · 07-04-2008, 05:27 PM

I rolled a 6 O_o.

Kaplan's reading method is pretty good.

zakkusu · 07-07-2008, 12:44 PM

Any specific reasons as to why you people feel the way you do regarding these methods?

zakkusu · 07-14-2008, 10:11 AM

Strike that... I'm interested in Rocket Review. How does it work?

JexteLox · 07-14-2008, 02:11 PM

haven't tried kaplan, cannot comment on it.

PR though, i've got the 2006 edition. and there's a lot of critics saying that it's pretty vague and strategies are not exact. the Critical Reading section, in the PR, pretty much is too straightforward and doesn't have enough tips. while the math section and writing sections, are similar; they all depend on a "Joe bloggs" approach...

i've also ordered a rocket review book, supposedly it 's better, and longer, and i can't wait till i get mines thru the mail.

Rferns · 07-14-2008, 05:37 PM

Kaplan by far is better than PR. Most CCers would disagree with me, but from what I have seen Kaplan is the closest in format to the real SAT out of any test book that isn't BB or RR etc.

See score comparison

Kaplan Course

Test 1- 1410/2150

Test 2- 1480/2110

Test 3- 1500/2190

Real SAT May- 1430/2140 - basically the average of my Kaplan scores (I was already a competent test taker before the course so I doubt the increase in pts was solely due to Kaplan methods.