<p>Everyones telling me the only way to effectively prepare for the SATs is to get a tutor, however, they are horrifically expensive. The cheapest ive found is 70/hr and not even for an experienced one. How could you possibly pay 70/hr for the 20 hours thats needed for any change to be made at all?</p>
<p>Do not hire a tutor. If you think you're qualified to apply to an Ivy League school then you're probably smart enough to study yourself and identify your weakness(es) yourself. Just get the official study guide by the college board and take the tests that it provides.</p>
<p>I prepared for the SAT by doing my schoolwork and taking challenging courses, as a result I received a 1970 the first time around. The second time around I scored higher by doing math problems and reading Time Magazine articles. I studied a short vocabulary list as well. </p>
<p>I spent about 1 hour every single day during the summer preparing for the SAT, taking a challenging courseload helped me out. I applied to about 4 Ivies and I am planning on making it to at least one.</p>
<p>My Ivy-bound daughter (accepted ED to class of 2014), used Kaplan Online SAT and ACT Prep. Much cheaper than tutors! 24/7 online access meant she could prep at the times of her choosing; flexibility was important due to her busy schedule.</p>
<p>Whether I am Ivy-bound is debatable, but I basically used the Official SAT Study Guide, Second Edition and two annually-released practice tests from the College Board. In essence, I exclusively used material published by the test creator. The tests produced by other companies are substandard in comparison.</p>
<p>Oh, in addition, invest in a decent vocabulary book such as Direct Hits. (Although I have personally never used the series, many invest their best comments into these.)</p>
<p>Mifune: I used the Barron's SAT book to prepare, I heard it becomes important when you score high on the SAT and want to score in the Ivies range.</p>
<p>Not at all. The Blue Book 2nd Edition and the released practice test are the only materials you need to succeed.</p>
<p>I agree with Jersey. All I used was the blue book. </p>
<p>I also find test strategy books important for critical reading section.</p>