If your teen is getting ready to take the SAT, which is changing to a digital format in 2024, or ACT soon, you may be feeling overwhelmed by the seemingly endless number of test prep options out there. How do you decide what the best route is for your kid? We got the lowdown on a handful of test prep companies to help inform your search.
CITY TEST PREP
Method: In-person or live online individual sessions or group classes; focus on subject matter and test-taking strategies; time management and accelerated reading also taught
Cost: Pricing varies
Duration: Also varies depending on the program
Bottom Line: There’s no guarantee, but CEO and Founder Bara Sapir says the expected increase in reading speed is up to 5x, and reading test scores improve up to 26 percent.
Method: Individualized program based on full-length assessment and parental input; 1-on-1 sessions either in person, online or hybrid; teaches concepts and test-taking skills
Cost: $195 assessment fee + $95 per hour
Duration: 20-40 hours for a small increase (about 200 points), or up to 80 hours for a large increase (about 400+ points)
Bottom Line: There are no guarantees, but Englewood franchise owner Viola Feld says the average test increase is 280-300 points on the SAT and six points on the ACT.
Method: Live online, on-demand, bootcamp and 1:1 private tutoring teach key strategies for test taking and getting students comfortable with the testing process; combines expert instruction with practice tests
Cost: $2,000
Duration: 3 months
Bottom Line: Kaplan will give you your money back if your kid doesn’t improve their score, or you can extend access to online resources at no extra cost.
Method: In-person classes in Old Bridge, in-person group boot camps at Brookdale Community College or virtual lessons; approach includes identifying errors in content or strategy, making sure kids understand key learning concepts and gaining points through live drills and timed work
Cost: Ranges from $210 per session for 1-on-1 prep (3 months would be $2,500) to $780 for group bootcamp (includes four sessions per subject plus two mock tests, or you can double up for math and reading)
Duration: Meet once a week for three months; plus 4-6 hours of work per week at home
Bottom Line: Typical improvement is 150-200 points. Driven students can grow higher quicker, especially if they meet twice per week, but much of your result depends on engagement and completion of homework, says owner Pranoy Mohapatra.
Method: In-person and online courses, private tutoring, self-guided options via Princeton Review books
Cost: $499 for self-paced to $2,200 for a full package
Duration: Start 6-8 weeks before the test date and continue up until the exam; at least 18 hours of instruction
Bottom Line: All courses come with a “Money Back Better Score” guarantee and a satisfaction guarantee. Certain courses and tutoring packages offer a specific score increase guarantee as well.
Method: 1:1 in-person or 3:1 small group instruction in verbal and math plus test-taking strategies and time management; individualized programs for added support in specific areas of reading, writing and math; kids take four practice tests throughout the course of the program; should start after the child has taken Algebra II
Cost: Starts at $999
Duration: 36-40 hours (coming in twice per week for two hours each session takes 9-10 weeks to complete) plus 15- 20 minutes of homework daily; continue test prep until 1-3 weeks before test day
Bottom Line: Scores depend on how committed the student is to the sessions, practicing at home and asking questions. Some centers offer a repeat of the course if your student is in a group session and doesn’t get their desired score.
OTHER OPTIONS
If you decide a test prep company isn’t right for your teen, there are other methods you can try. Consider booking sessions online through a platform such as prepscholar.com. These generally tend to be more affordable. Your teen’s high school may offer classes or you can hire high school math and English teachers for private tutoring which tends to be more expensive but a great option for kids who may have a good connection with a former teacher. In the end, the best references are the ones shared by other students and parents you know so be sure to ask friends or parents in a local Facebook group.
PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE
Much of test prep is about practicing and training your brain. An effective way to do that is by having your teen take as many practice tests as possible, whether in person at a test prep center such as Noble Klass Academy in Midland Park, by using a College Board test prep book or by taking an online practice test through a test prep company.
Not surprisingly, research shows the amount of time spent studying directly correlates to the average increase in score. “The more a student becomes familiar with the types of questions and the pacing of the exam, the more confident that student will become,” says Nicole Iannucci, Mid-Atlantic market manager for The Princeton Review.
If your child is anxious about the SAT or ACT, it’s important to get them comfortable with the test format. “For most students, this will be the longest test of their lives. We find that an enormous part of what stresses students is the unknown: Students stress when they don’t know what to expect,” says Ronny Goldschmitz, a Kaplan instructor since 2016 who lives in southern New Jersey. “Once students know the content, learn test-taking strategies and have gone through multiple practice tests, they become familiarized and comfortable with the test, so by the time they get to test day, there’s a lot less to be anxious about.”
Read More:
What Your Teen Needs to Know About the New Digital SAT
Should Your Teen Submit Their SAT or ACT Score? Experts Weigh In