ACT/SAT Prep

jebdad

10-Year Member
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Aug 19, 2013
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Anyone have any experience with the ACT/SAT prep services? We were referred to one by a friend and the service does one on one tuturing based on the student's performance on a proctored practice exam. They draw up a study plan to address the student's weaknesses. They claim their services raise test performance, on average, 4 points. Just curious if anyone has any first hand feedback positive or negative. They had a lot of convincing things to say, but I am in sales and I couldn't help thinking the whole time that this is a business and they want to sell as much of their product as possible.
 
My Daughter had no problems with her scores but part of her tuition in high school was Kaplan. She hated it. Son was a fairly good student but not a test taker. Enrolled him in a Princeton Review concentrated class (two weeks with at least three practice SAT) and they did raise his scores significantly from mid 500's to mid 600's. Just our experience. He had nominations but no appointment. Four points is not worth the one on one for SAT. For ACT that is pretty good.
 
4 points on ACT

We are in the midwest where everyone seems to think ACT first. The 4 point improvement was an avg they saw over the last year of each of the students increase from their first ACT practice test to the subsequent official ACT score.
 
My son took the Princeton seminar - about a month long, approximate cost was $900 - His ACT composite score went from 31 to 34. He is now a plebe at West Point.
 
I believe the claim is that the SAT is generally more "coachable" than the ACT, as there are more test-taking tactics that apply. That being said, our DD had a 3 point improvement on her ACT score after a prep class.

One other thing... take both at least once if you can. Some students do better on one than the other.

There are some generalities out there as to why, but typically the "work smarter not harder" crowd do better on SATs. And the "hard working, grinder" students do better on the ACTs. We have one of each and that notion certainly held true for our kids.

Good luck!
 
The ACT has an additional component on science hence if your strength is not Math you can do better on the Science. The SAT is more analytical reasoning and math so if that is your strength then you should take SAT. It is a good idea to take both in your first semester of junior year and then figure out which test works for you.
 
Remember though, USNA only looks at the Math and English portions of the composite ACT score - I suppose because they most closely correlate with the SAT. They only list those two scores from any ACT test in the candidate portal. But if your DS/DD is also applying to another academy, they'll look at all four scores so it gives your student other chances to shine on their application.
 
Does admissions accept (SAT) subject test?

They won't improve the whole person score or help them get in, but might get them credit for a course or two once they're there. Generally, AP tests will be more useful than SAT Subject Tests.
 
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