<p>Kaplan and PR classes are pretty expensive I know that. So I wanna make my decision with much information. Who exactly should take these classes? I’m thinking it should mainly be for those who got 1700- and really wanna improve their score. I got well into the 1900s with basically no studying. I am studying now and think I should do much better. I don’t know if I need these courses. Can anyone help me please? Thanks</p>
<p>You should not take these courses</p>
<p>Why exactly is that Amu? Any other opinions?</p>
<p>I suggest you skim these: </p>
<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showpost.php?p=4550780&postcount=1[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showpost.php?p=4550780&postcount=1</a></p>
<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=68210[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=68210</a></p>
<p>You won’t find a single SAT expert (From tutor to genius to company owner to author) saying that non-CB questions should be used. Some may say use them as LAST RESORT but none will advocate primary usage of them. </p>
<p>Just the fact Kaplan and PR can’t properly mock CB tests should indicate how they won’t be much of a help. Browse the Xiggi thread above.</p>
<p>If your stuck with one of em (as I am) take the Princeton Review. Their questions are different from CB’s but usually slightly harder, thus causing you to have a score increase (usually) when you go for the actual exam (ex. Get 12 wrong on a PR Critical Reading section but then some people only get 2 wrong on the actual SAT CR section). </p>
<p>Kaplan, on the other hand, underprepares you. If you get 2 wrong on their tests, count 6 wrong on the actual. So thus Kaplan artificially ‘raises’ your score by prob 100 points, so its a negative predictor and overconfidence builder.</p>
<p>So, PR is better, even though most ppl who take those courses are unmotivated and the reason they are taking them is to ‘force’ them to study.</p>
<p>i agree that most people take a class like that because they want to force themselves to study. but i don’t really get how that works–i mean, you’ll have to force yourself to attend the class, too. why not just re-direct that self-control and save a decent amount of money?</p>
<p>i think you can take the money and time that a class will take and do better on your own. pick up the blue book and sign up for the online service from the college board. use cc as a resource. maybe consider hiring a tutor if necessary. that’s my advice, at any rate.</p>
<p>Its true, but some people no matter how much they tell themselves they are going to study, in the end do it basically while watching TV or for only 10 minute increments, but I suppose going through 3 hours a day of hardcore SAT-focused-prep helps more lol</p>
<p>well, this isn’t true of most CCer’s, but I am going because I need serious help with the math section…</p>
<p>hey there
I’ve recently finished a Kaplan course so my views might be more accurate than some people’s on this board.</p>
<p>If you’re consistenly scoring low(like in the low 1700’s, or even lower), then you might want to take a Kaplan course. Obviously, Kaplan can’t make any guarantees that it’s going to raise your score up to the 2400 range but I think it is SOMEWHAT helpful. Right now, I’m waiting for my score on the final test that I took a couple days ago. On the first test with them, I got a 1910(which was a horrible surprise). And I think since then I’ve raised about 150-250 points. I consider this a good starting point because Kaplan helped me(in a way) formulate my own method of studying for the SAT. I’m pretty confident that I can raise my scores even more by another 100-150 points, bringing the total score to around 2200 somethings to 2300. I think it really depends on whether you are willing to put the time and effort into it- Kaplan doesn’t really teach you HOW TO STUDY FOR IT, it only PROVIDES YOU WITH THE MATERIALS THAT WILL HELP YOU FORMULATE YOUR OWN STUDYING METHOD. So here’s the bottom line: If you have the time, money to invest in a Kaplan course, and you’re consistenly scoring low, Kaplan will help you raise scores. PM me if you want more specific advice.</p>
<p>Besides my PR course, which I find rather stupid (the only reason I really like it is for the occasional tip and the Practice tests which feel like real ones) I go through this sortof of Study-book sucession, which is based on the most basic minded ideas to the most advanced;</p>
<p>All Kaplan Books and Tests -> Princeton Review Tests (11 practice tests) -> Barron’s 2400 -> College Board Tests from bluebook (As a finale predictor)</p>
<p>So far im still working on the 4 Kaplan Books I got, almost done with the first, and then ill do their 12 tests.</p>
<p>If you think you need an edge, a course would probably help. Forced motivation is one thing, but do you learn better in a classroom than you do when you’re completely on your own? (I’m one of those people who is very motivated at school, but not for the SAT, because it sucks.) It’s handy to have regular access to instructors who can explain the things you’re not getting. I did PR’s online course (self-paced) and being able to talk to the instructors when I needed to was great.</p>
<p>PR vs. Kaplan…depends on which approach you like better. Go to B&N and flip through their books. Or borrow some from a library and dig through them deeper, see which you like better. I personally preferred PR. Their tests are a lot better.</p>