A few more comments to add to the above. My D went off to college with a BlackBerry (lol) so the equipment has changed greatly since her first pre-screenings.
For others reading this and considering a professional recording studio, that’s fine too. It is an extremely busy time and if you just feel better putting it in the hands of a professional, go for it. I would just be sure to check if they have done pre-screens before (meaning NO editing) and their pricing. It really shouldn’t be expensive. We had my D’s music school do the recording with their studio equipment. It was for VP and took 30 minutes. Never had to think once about the equipment…or invest in it…and I think it cost about $100. We just gave them a list of what was needed and they did the cuts (ALL was done in 30 min - I spent more time worrying about it!). My D now has an iphone and I know she has used it for summer/YAP screenings. She also sometimes hires a friend with good equipment it they are available and low priced. There are always kids on campus trying to make an extra buck doing recordings or head shots. All methods seem to work fine.
But as pointed out earlier, IF the pre-screen does not honestly represent your student, you should consider getting some help. We used an antiquated taping system from her high school originally and I just didn’t think it really sounded like my D. She was in a cinder block room with a so-so piano. So I decided to pay for the studio and professional equipment. Also I think the surroundings helped my D be more comfortable. She could forget about the recording device (she’s a worrier) and just sing. It was getting late in the game and I wasn’t going to figure out recording equipment since our first attempt didn’t work. So be sure to give yourself some time to make adjustments.