How to Prep for the SAT or ACT
Self-study, classroom prep, small group tutoring, or private tutoring-there are so many standardized test preparation options available. Which one is the best fit for your child? Navigating the test prep landscape and determining how your child should prepare for the college entrance exams may seem like a daunting process. There are a variety of preparation options available, all of which have their own pros and cons. The table below is designed to help you and your child weigh the pros and cons of each preparation option so that you can determine which one best fits your child's needs and schedule.
Self-Study
- Pros
- Cons
- Inexpensive
- Flexible - allows your child to set his or her own preparation schedule and timeline
- Convenient - your child can do the work from home
- If your child is self-motivated, he or she can work at his or her own pace and focus on the concepts and question types that are most challenging for him or her
- There is no one to keep your child motivated and on track, except your child
- It may be difficult for your child to pin-point the concepts and question types for which he or she needs the most work
- There is no teacher or instructor to provide guidance or to answer questions, which may make it difficult for your child to improve his or her performance in certain areas
- Work is done alone - may be a difficult setting for those who perform best when working with others or for those who need outside motivation
- Classroom Prep
- Pros
- Cons
- Less expensive than small group and private tutoring
- Fairly convenient - most classroom prep providers offer courses in convenient locations such as schools, libraries, and community centers
- Group setting - good if your child thrives when working with others
- Most classroom prep options cover both strategy and content
- Some classroom prep providers offer a guaranteed score increase
- Less flexible - classes are typically offered on a set schedule, which may be difficult if your child has other commitments
- Less flexible - the courses are a set number of hours - that may or may not be the right amount of prep for your child
- Long classes - most classroom lessons are long, typically 3+ hours
- Your child will have to get to and back from the class location, which takes time
- Group setting - not good if your child is easily distracted
- Group setting - your child will not receive personalized attention
- Group setting - you child will not be able to move at his or her own pace or to focus on the concepts and question types that are most challenging for him or her
- Small Group Prep
- Pros
- Cons
- Less expensive than private tutoring
- Fairly convenient - most small group prep providers offer courses in convenient locations such as schools, libraries, and community centers
- More personalized - smaller group of students than classroom prep options
- More personalized - your child will receive more attention than in a classroom setting
- Group setting - good if your child thrives when working with others
- Some small group prep providers offer a guaranteed score increase
- May still be fairly expensive
- Less flexible - classes are typically offered on a set schedule, which may be difficult if your child has other commitments
- Less flexible - the courses are a set number of hours - that may or may not be the right amount of prep for your child
- Long classes - most small group lessons are long, typically 2-3 hours
- Your child will have to get to and back from the meeting location, which takes time
- Group setting - not good if your child is easily distracted
- Group setting - your child will not be able to move at his or her own pace or to focus on the concepts and question types that are most challenging for him or her
- Private Tutoring (In-person)
- Pros
- Cons
- Personalized - your child will be able to move at his or her own pace and to focus on the concepts and question types that are most challenging for him or her
- Convenient - sessions can take place in a location of your child's choosing (typically in your home, at school, or at a library)
- Convenient - your child can schedule the lessons on days and at times that work for his or her schedule
- Flexible - more options when it comes to the length of the program and the content covered
- Flexible - you can choose the tutor and may be able to switch to another tutor if it's not a good match
One-on-one attention - the tutor will be there to guide your child through the material, to explain difficult concepts, to offer strategies for approaching the test, to answer questions, and to keep your child motivated
- Requires a greater financial investment than other prep option
- Some private tutors do not have their own materials and curricula from which to work (note that StudyPoint DOES have its own proprietary materials and curricula)
- Most private tutoring options do not offer a guaranteed score increase (note that StudyPoint DOES offer a guaranteed score increase)
- May not be ideal if your child thrives when working with others
- Private Tutoring (Online)
- Pros
- Cons
- Personalized - your child will be able to move at his or her own pace and to focus on the concepts and question types that are most challenging for him or her
- Convenient - prep can take place anywhere with a computer and internet access
- Convenient - your child can schedule the lessons on days and at times that work for his or her schedule
- Flexible - more options when it comes to the length of the program and the content covered
- Flexible - you can choose the tutor and may be able to switch to another tutor if it's not a good match
One-on-one attention - the tutor will be available to guide your child through the material, to explain difficult concepts, to offer strategies for approaching the test, to answer questions, and to keep your child motivated
Generally requires a greater financial investment than other prep options
Some private tutors do not have their own materials and curricula from which to work
Most private tutoring options do not offer a guaranteed score increase
Technical difficulties and limitations could be disruptive to the lessons and could affect your child's progress
May be more difficult for your child to connect with the tutor than if they were meeting in person
May not be ideal if your child thrives when working with others
All of the college entrance exams are still paper-based tests, so the preparation environment (online) does not match the actual test (paper-based). This may make it difficult for your child to implement and practice some of the strategies and approaches (underlining items, crossing out items, etc.).
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We hope you and your child have found this information to be helpful! As you may know, StudyPoint provides one-on-one, in-home tutoring for all the major college entrance exams: ACT, SAT, PSAT, and AP exams. If you are considering private tutoring for your child, we encourage you to reach out to a member of our team to learn more about StudyPoint's program options. We can be reached at 1-87STUDYPOINT (1-877-883-9764). We'd be happy to answer any questions that you may have!
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