Think about test tutoring in this way. If you were an athlete and had never played a sport before, before entering a tournament wouldn’t you want to get some coaching and practice before you actually competed? The same is true for taking standardized tests. The best test preparation helps you get the most out of the testing experience. It goes without saying that your test score will improve depending on how much time and effort you put into the preparation, and what that preparation is.
1. SAT Preparation Books
Pros: Inexpensive ($8-20), convenient, usually contain all the materials you need.
Cons: It takes a very motivated person to stick with working from a book. Also, sometimes a student has poor techniques or keeps making the same mistakes and it’s difficult to change these things without feedback from someone who knows what he or she is doing.
2. SAT Computer Software
Pros: Inexpensive ($30+), convenient, and especially for computer buffs, this might do the trick.
Cons: As with books, HIGH motivation and consistent work are absolute musts.
3. SAT Preparation Courses at your School
Some of these courses are as short as one day or weekend, or as long as a semester.
Pros: Inexpensive (often free), convenient, regularly scheduled, work with other students.
Cons: Often too short to be really effective; quality varies depending on the instructor.
4. Commercial SAT Preparation courses (e.g., Princeton Review, Stanley Kaplan)
Pros: Predictable schedule; commercial test companies keep up with the testing trends and changes; small classes with other students can be useful.
Cons: Expensive ($500++); very time-consuming (25-40 hours plus homework); because the class program is fixed, may spend time on areas where you don’t need to spend time.
