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Finding the Best SAT Class for Your Child – Part I

May 1, 2012 by Amy Martin Rodriguez, PhD 7 Comments

What does your child need in an SAT Class?

Now that you have determined that your daughter learns best in a classroom environment, how do you find the best class for her? I suggest that you ask some key questions to determine whether a class is truly a good fit for your child.

Question #1: What Type of Student is the Class Designed for?
Students start at such widely different places in preparing for this exam that the same class will not work for every one of them. Some students struggle with math and need intensive instruction on SAT math. Other students are very strong in math and only need a focused review and to learn the specific strategies for the toughest math problems.

Using Starting SAT Scores
Is there a large imbalance between your daughter’s scores on the different sections? For example, her score in math may be much higher than her scores in critical reading and writing. In this case, you will want to find a class focused on her weak areas or else find a one-on-one program that will personalize the program for her needs.

Are her scores fairly balanced in the three different sections? Then her overall score will be a good indication of what type of class will work best for her.

A good test prep company will analyze your child’s PSAT score and/or give your child an assessment test to determine her starting score. You can then find a class that is designed for students needing more background material (scores 1200-1550) or a class that is designed for students starting in a higher score range (1550-1800). I recommend that students starting with scores lower than 1200 and higher than 1800 avoid classes and sign up for a one-on-one program or a focused self-study program.

Question #2: What Score Increase Can Your Child Achieve?
How much your child’s SAT score improves will depend greatly on the amount of time and effort that she puts into preparing for this exam. However, this question is still worth asking to determine how realistic the test prep company is about the results of the class.

Question #3: How Much Effort Will it Take?
Putting in the time to complete assignments is not enough for a significant score increase on the SAT. A good test prep company will discuss the amount of time and effort that will be required to achieve a high score on the SAT.

Question #4: Is the Teacher a Good Match?
You should also evaluate whether the teacher is a good match for your daughter. Will the teacher keep your daughter engaged and motivated to work her hardest? Will she push hard enough to get your daughter to put in the extra effort that is required to excel on this difficult exam?

You should also stop and carefully consider whether your daughter has the drive to put in the extra level of effort that will be required of her. If she doesn’t have that drive on her own, you may want to consider whether a one-on-one program will be a better match for her.

More Questions
In the next two posts of this series on choosing the best SAT class for your child, I will discuss questions to ask about the class materials, how practice tests will be reviewed, how much homework should be assigned, and class size.

Amy Martin Rodriguez, PhD
Academic Coach and Owner
Click here to email me your questions!
Click here to read more on choosing between classes, one-on-one tutoring and self-study for SAT Prep…

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  • Jody Yarborough

    Great blog Amy. I really like how you have broken down the different questions to ask. I look forward to reading parts 2 and 3 🙂 Thanks for your great advice!

    • Amy Martin Rodriguez

      Thanks Jody! I’m glad this was helpful for you.

  • Batgirl

    great work as always amy!!

    • Amy Martin Rodriguez

      Thanks Batgirl! That’s a great compliment coming from you!

  • Carol Stephen

    Thank you for publishing this list of questions. The idea of choosing a good class to prepare for the SATs would be completely overwhelming to me, if I had to find someone. Not only do you educate the kids, you have to educate the parents about the process of finding a class–a double education. 

    • Amy Martin Rodriguez

      Carol, that is exactly what most of the parents tell me. That they need to learn as much about this process as their kids need to learn about the SAT! Thanks for stating this so clearly!

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