Today, I answer another FAQ "Do you recommend a student take a college test preparation course?

Today, I answer another FAQ "Do you recommend a student take a college test preparation course?

In my opinion, Completely! I believe that a Student might be doing themselves a disservice and put themselves about at a dis-advantage as compared to other potential college candidates.

The SAT and ACT tests are urgent elements of the college admissions process. As I am sure you're aware, competition at Select schools is greater than ever.

Although like an employment interview, the SAT and ACT's are not always fair the Good News is simply that both the SAT and ACT can be conquered with focused practice and review!

In a follow-up article, I may offer you an in depth comparison between the PSAT/SAT/ACT as well as the SAT II Subject Tests.

But for now, we'll take a minute to review the benefits and drawbacks of your options for Varsity Test Preparation.

The 1st possibility is to Self-Study for the SAT or ACT's. So for between $15 and $30, a student can purchase a book that contains practice tests, answer keys and written answer reasons. The benefit to this option is that it's comparatively inexpensive and, thus, extraordinarily reasonable.

The downside to this option is that the material tends to be pretty dryand even outright boring. Working thru the questions and issues is usually an exceedingly work intensive process. Usually, the material presents only one answer to each problemeven when multiple approaches are valid. This also needs the scholar to be extremely accomplished academically and highly self-sufficient and self-motivated.

A 2nd option is a conventional Classroom Course . So for between $800 and $2,500, a student can take part in a live group classroom test preparation course. There are numerous advantages to this:

1) Practice tests are taken under conditions that closely simulate the test-day environment

2) Instruction can be dynamic in nature and instructors can answer student-generated questions and

3) Students can interact socially with their peers.

The downside to this actual option is it is very pricey. It needs the otherwise busy student to make a long-term and regular time dedication to attending the class. A challenge to overcome is that Instructor quality is tricky to control. Many of these same instructors have little real teaching experience.

To maximise profits, classes are sometimes packed and are usually populated with students who change considerably in academic capability.



A 3rd Option is usually to attend an Online SAT/ACT Test Prep Course . For between $30 and $1,000, scholars can buy online College Test preparation products and courses. An advantage to this kind of instruction is that there are a large range of services and goods available, as well as prices. A number of these courses offer diagnostics and other programs cater to the various and changing ability levels of scholars. You will find that a properly designed website courses offer convenience.

A potential downside for you may be misunderstanding in choosing the best option with the spread of products and prices available. You ought to be sure the online college test prep course is interactive or dynamic and that it's able to simulate real test taking conditions.

The 4th and last option is to have a Non-public Tutor - For between $50 and $350 per hour, scholars can receive one-to-one personal tutoring. Remember that you could end up paying between $1500-$3,000 or even more for this option

Doubtless, an advantage would be that your student's experience is more private, dynamic and uniquely customized to maximize the individual student's test scores and academic potential. A private relationship between the personal mentor and the student often enables the mentor to provoke the student to practice with keenness and, in the final analysis to test confidently.

But as I've already mentioned, a downside to this option is that it may become rather dear, if you're even fortunate enough to find a professional and qualified private tutor you like.