My Aliso Niguel SAT Prep Branch - Week 5: How to Prepare

My first entry explained that doing well on the SAT is as much about knowing the content as it is about using strategies to outsmart the tricks and traps on the test. But what is the best way to learn the content and strategies necessary to beat the test? In truth, it depends. Different students have different styles of learning, meaning that there is not a one-size-fits-all approach. My goal today is to help you or your child figure out what the best method is for you.

I'll start with self-study. Some students choose to buy a book or two, such as the Official SAT Study Guide, and attempt to teach themselves the material. There are hundreds of books out there, and some are helpful while others are not. The Official Guide is great, although it is lacking in helpful strategies - after all, the test writers don't want you to learn the secrets of their test! There are also software programs that promise to help you with the test. But before you go out and buy a study book, you should ask yourself if self-study is the best option for you. Self-study is best for students who are very motivated, very disciplined, and very organized.

Many parents buy SAT prep books for their kids, only to find that the books sit in the corner of the room, gathering dust. Most students will find it is difficult to concentrate on 1,000 page study guides and will give up when they find there is no one to ask a question to. I tried using a SAT math book to help me boost my math score, but I found it wasn't too helpful. Without someone to guide me, the book was almost useless. That is why I believe self-study is not the best option for the large majority of students.

Next let's talk about in-person group courses. Group courses are very common and available in most areas. There are a lot of factors to consider when choosing a group course, such as the number of instructional hours, the number of practice tests, who the instructor is, the location, and the class size. The group courses I am teaching this summer are 3-weeks long, with 18 instructional hours and 5 practice tests. During the school year, I would recommend spreading that out over 6 weeks. This is the perfect amount of prep for most students: it is more effective than a one-day cram session and more efficient than a 100-hour boot camp. In general, group courses are best for students who like learning with friends and who need structure in order to concentrate. The thing to consider is that group courses will cover all areas of the test equally, but you might need more help in a certain section.

Then there are online courses. Some online classes are entirely self-guided (meaning there is no human instructor), some are entirely taught by a live instructor, and some are a combination of both. Those without an instructor are similar to study books, so I won't go over them in detail here. I'll concentrate on the combo classes that have online instruction from a computer and a teacher, since those are the most common and most effective. I myself took this kind of course in preparation for the SAT. Online courses are best for students who are independent, computer-savvy, and motivated. Online classes are something of a middle ground between study guides alone and in-person group courses. I found my course to be helpful, but looking back on my experience, I think that having some more individual attention would have enabled me to raise my score even further.

Which brings me to private tutoring. While it is the most expensive option, it is often the most effective since students are getting a customized approach that fits their needs exactly. Private tutoring is best for students with busy schedules and/or students who are scoring very low or very high. Private tutoring can be one-on-one, or in a small group of 2-3 friends with similar schedules. Athletes, dancers, and other students with big time commitments will like this option since the schedule is flexible. Students with lower scores will like this option because they will get to move through material at a slower pace and ask lots of questions. Students with higher scores will like this option because they can skip over the material they are good at and get straight to the problem areas. It can also be a great option for someone who has already taken a group course and knows they need individual attention in certain areas. The only thing to consider is that it lacks the group dynamic, so it might not be the best choice for students who like having friends around to learn.

In the end, the best option for many students is mix and match multiple approaches. An online course and a self-study book go great together for motivated students. A group course and extra private tutoring is the answer for those that enjoy group learning but need individual attention. I encourage you to talk about the options as a family and consult an expert before making a final decision. I am more than happy to help you figure out the best option for you. Just shoot me an email (Neil_Aronson@ivyinsiders.com) and we can start the conversation. And if you're thinking of the October or November SAT, now is the time to get started, before the rush of the school year starts again!

Neil Aronson, an Aliso Niguel High School alum, is a rising junior at Tufts University (a little Ivy right outside of Boston) where he's studying International Relations and Entrepreneurial Leadership. This summer he is starting and running a test prep branch through Ivy Insiders, a program offered by Revolution Prep that selects students from top schools who have scored in the 99th percentile on the SAT and sends them back to their communities to help kids from their hometown improve their scores. Check back here every Friday for more tips and help on the SAT.