Should I take an SAT Prep class?

Question

I've been thinking about taking an SAT PREP class on saturdays for four seccesions for $310. I wanted to know if i'd be better off studying on my own and how hard is the new SAT than the old one? Is it really that hard? Please let me know what you think.

Answer 1

Taking an SAT prep class will definitely be beneficial, but how much beneficial it will be is a puzzle. Basically, you take practice exams in those prep classes, which can be done at home anytime as long as you have some sample tests. I suggest you to buy some books, like me, to prepare for the test, instead of going to prep classes. For tips and clues, I recommend you to buy the Barron's SAT 2400: Aiming for the Perfect Score. I believe this book is wonderful, because it has everything you need to know. For sample tests/problems, you must get the Official SAT Study Guide by the collegeboard, because it has eight tests, and it is, afterall, real questions. For more practice, the Princeton Review 11 Practice Tests and Barron's SAT 23rd Edition will also be helpful.
You can get these books at amazon.com for a good price.
Good luck!

Answer 2

The new SAT is primarily focused on reading comprhension and retention skills as well as vocabulary and writing, with a distinctly smaller emphasis on mathmatical reasoning. I'm a senior in high school now and got a 2060 on the new SAT and did very well on the reading parts and the writing but got a 650 on the math because I'm just not very good at math. Anyways, the first time I took the new SAT I got an 1860 and had no had a tutor or studied at all. I got a tutor and studided and got a 2060 the second time. I had the tutor mostly help with my weak areas in math and leave the literary stuff alone because I didn't have trouble with that.
The writing portion is very VERY subjective in the sense that the collegeboard ( the test administrator) is looking for specific skills (I.E. Vocabularly, Comprehension, Grammer) and does not really care for fluidity or subject matter. My friends who are worse writers than me scored higher on their writing portion of the writing section because they dumbed down their writing and gave the collegeboard what they were looking for instead of essentially thought provoking and intellectual material. That sucks.
Anyways, the person above me has listed some nice books to purchase so I won't relist them, but it is ESSENTIAL that you purchase at least one test prep book, preferably the collegeboard one, to prepare. Hope this helps.

Answer 3

From personal experience, I can tell you it's better to just study on your own instead of go to a class and waste both time and money.
If you set aside the time that you would spend at the classes by taking practice tests and pinpointing your weaknesses, you'll be better off.
The collegeboard official SAT book will cost you less than $20. Do some practice tests and you'll be fine.
If you don't believe me, here's the proof: I got a 2220 on my first sitting, and my friends who took classes only got 1730 after 3 times.