@Az1234
We combine both strategies and content in our program, although what different people mean by strategy and content differs.
(This is kind of a long response but hopefully helps even people who aren’t thinking about using PrepScholar).
There are lots of layers to doing well on the SAT. At the lowest level is the fundamental knowledge - how a grammar rule works, math formulas for solid geometry. Above that is the skill to apply this knowledge and recognizing when to use which concepts for which questions - we still call this content, others may call this strategy. Above this are broader strategies, such as solving questions by plugging in the answer choices, or how to deal with running out of time on reading passages. Finally there are highest level skills on what to study and when, how to motivate yourself to study, how to reduce anxiety, and how to plan your testing schedule strategically.
Doing really well on the SAT requires mastery of each level above. In other words, your score is only as high as your weakest link.
Our program tries to address all of this. Most of your time is spent on learning content and skills - the first two levels above. We give you focused practice on individual concepts so that you learn the patterns behind test questions. For example, the SAT has typical tricks for disguising subject/verb agreement questions. Special to our program is our customization engine that diagnoses your strengths and weaknesses and creates a custom study plan.
To tackle the higher level layers, we also integrate the blue book practice tests into our program, and we also include strategy lessons that go over higher-level concepts. Our program also builds in features like progress reports and study reminders to help motivate students who need a little push.
It’s certainly possible to do really effective prep without a program, as many CC members have done. Typically this requires a great deal of self-insight and motivation to do well. We’ve created a full-service program that handles all of the levels above, so that students can focus on learning and spend less time worrying about what they should be working on and when.
We emphasize content because strategies can only take you so far - getting accustomed to the test and knowing a few tricks like plugging in the answers might increase your score by 50-100 points. This is why many students hit a ceiling after trying to study without thinking hard about where their weaknesses are. After this, in my experience with thousands of students, you nearly always need to build up your fundamental skills to start getting more answers right.
Hope this helps clarify some things - any other questions?