SAT prep courses not worth the money on clarkhoward.com

Are SAT prep courses really worth the money? Not according to a new report from The National Association for College Admission Counselors (NACAC).

The NACAC cites existing evidence to suggest the average score increase after taking a prep course is about 30 points. The SAT is now graded on a scale of 2,400 points.

Worse still, some prep course companies are believed to give sample tests that are much harder than the actual SAT, which results in a low initial score. So when a paying customer later takes the real exam, they automatically think they went up hundreds of points because of the prep course!

People want to believe they'll get the extra nudge that will get them into their reach school (as counselors say) instead of their safety school.

But if you want to feel comfortable with the SAT or other standardized tests, Clark recommends picking up a prep book to get a feel for the drill. Do not spend all that money on the courses! The data shows clearly you'll be overwhelmed with marketing hype and underwhelmed with the results.

And for the record, Clark took the SAT 3 times and got a 1,070, 1,050 and 1,170. That's back when it was on a scale of 1,600. He attributes his low second-attempt score to the fact that he tested during the summer in a Duluth, Minn., high school with sweeping views of Lake Superior. He simply couldn't concentrate!

What others are saying

SAT Prep
Every Georgia high school student is entitled to a FREE online SAT prep course provided by the state. Access codes are readily available from the student's public high school guidance office. Also, parents of registered home school students can get a code from the local home school office.

Read more here:
http://www.doe.k12.ga.us/pea_communications.aspx?ViewMode=1&obj=945
By Jan @ 09/20/09 01:29:50 PMreport abuse
SAT prep
I currently work at a tutoring center. Although I with elementary students, we do have SAT prep. Some of it is based on score, but most of the program is about tackling strategies and using critical thinking skills to figure out the test.
By Rosie @ 06/10/09 07:26:11 AMreport abuse
Leslie
I Must have been in High School with the Cavemen for we were using a slide rule what are you using? If you are not ready for advance education upon graduation from High School then you should be given a certificate of attendance and NO diploma!
By Grandpa Gene @ 06/09/09 06:38:31 PMreport abuse
SAT/ACT Trouble in mudville. . .
The SAT/ACT exams are tools used widely by colleges and universities to make a general assessment of the academic progress/level of an applicant pool who come from multiple high school backgrounds. Neither exam is perfect, but they are the tools that we have.

Most institutions in higher education base scholarship eligibility on a particular test score balanced out against a gpa or class rank; it's only fare. (Think about it, you've got four years to work on the GPA/Rank compared to one-to-three attempts to peak with the standardized test.)

As an admissions professional for over 22 years, I have watched the literacy of our country decline sharply and I think it goes back to the development/influence of TV, video, computers, internet, gaming systems, entertainment, movies and all things digital. Don't get me wrong, I am very thankful for all of the advances in these industries over the years, but what is the cost? We are fighting for the attention of a generation that doesn't have to use it's imagination anymore.

As parents, we don't read anything more challenging than the Sunday newspaper, written at a 5th grade level, nor do we challenge our children to read. When I talk with your kids, they say they read only when/what they have to in terms of home work assignments. So, is it so surprising that test scores are so bad anymore?

Personally, I don't know that the problem is with the tests only. . .
By Anthony Jamison @ 06/09/09 02:32:07 PMreport abuse
SAT Scores
The SAT's are used by the colleges to 'cherry pick' students that will make them, the school, look good, so that they can brag about how the college has created these brilliant students.
By Howie @ 06/09/09 02:10:32 PMreport abuse
SAT Scores
The SAT is not about passing and it's about getting as high of score as possible. Many schools give scholarships based on SAT scores. Some students need the structure of the course to study and do well. When I took the SATs, I initially got an 1180 and then I took Kaplan SAT score and received a 1330. I not only got into the college, I wanted but they gave me a $40,000 scholarship because I was over 1300 (this was based on 1600 score). My parents $500 investment saved me $40,000. If you are a top student, taking the SAT courses help tremendously.
By Patrick @ 06/09/09 09:57:50 AMreport abuse
SAT
Grandpa Gene, the purpose of high school is not to prepare everyone for the SAT or a 4 year college. The purpose of high school is to prepare students for life and everywhere they will go, which incudes into community colleges, the military, appreneticeship programs, and directly into the workforce. The SAT includes questions from Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, and Honors Pre Calculus. Only some students will need these courses, the SAT, or a 4 year college degree.
By Leslie @ 06/09/09 08:43:32 AMreport abuse
Dummies
What happen to the fact that if you had a diploma from high school you were ready to go, you should be able to pass the SAT test with flying scores with no problems.
Makes me think that a High School Diploma is not worth what it use to be. Have our children really been dumb down that Much????????????????????????????
By Grandpa Gene @ 06/08/09 07:29:32 PMreport abuse
Not just about The TEST anymore
Not as much weight is given to SATs anymore. Students need to be involved by working, volunteering, or joining a school or community organization.
By Amanda @ 06/08/09 04:29:11 PMreport abuse
SAT is now PC and useless
Back in the day you could divide an SAT score by ten and get a pretty good idea of the person's IQ. Nowadays they spot the kids 300 points and even then most can't cut the mustard in the real world. The modern SAT test is a joke.
By Ed @ 06/08/09 03:28:35 PMreport abuse

SAT Prep

Every Georgia high school student is entitled to a FREE online SAT prep course provided by the state. Access codes are readily available from the student's public high school guidance office. Also, parents of registered home school students can get a code from the local home school office.

Read more here:
http://www.doe.k12.ga.us/pea_communications.aspx?ViewMode=1&obj=945

By Jan @ 09/20/09 01:29:50 PMreport abuse

SAT prep

I currently work at a tutoring center. Although I with elementary students, we do have SAT prep. Some of it is based on score, but most of the program is about tackling strategies and using critical thinking skills to figure out the test.

By Rosie @ 06/10/09 07:26:11 AMreport abuse

Leslie

I Must have been in High School with the Cavemen for we were using a slide rule what are you using? If you are not ready for advance education upon graduation from High School then you should be given a certificate of attendance and NO diploma!

By Grandpa Gene @ 06/09/09 06:38:31 PMreport abuse

SAT/ACT Trouble in mudville. . .

The SAT/ACT exams are tools used widely by colleges and universities to make a general assessment of the academic progress/level of an applicant pool who come from multiple high school backgrounds. Neither exam is perfect, but they are the tools that we have.

Most institutions in higher education base scholarship eligibility on a particular test score balanced out against a gpa or class rank; it's only fare. (Think about it, you've got four years to work on the GPA/Rank compared to one-to-three attempts to peak with the standardized test.)

As an admissions professional for over 22 years, I have watched the literacy of our country decline sharply and I think it goes back to the development/influence of TV, video, computers, internet, gaming systems, entertainment, movies and all things digital. Don't get me wrong, I am very thankful for all of the advances in these industries over the years, but what is the cost? We are fighting for the attention of a generation that doesn't have to use it's imagination anymore.

As parents, we don't read anything more challenging than the Sunday newspaper, written at a 5th grade level, nor do we challenge our children to read. When I talk with your kids, they say they read only when/what they have to in terms of home work assignments. So, is it so surprising that test scores are so bad anymore?

Personally, I don't know that the problem is with the tests only. . .

By Anthony Jamison @ 06/09/09 02:32:07 PMreport abuse

SAT Scores

The SAT's are used by the colleges to 'cherry pick' students that will make them, the school, look good, so that they can brag about how the college has created these brilliant students.

By Howie @ 06/09/09 02:10:32 PMreport abuse

The SAT is not about passing and it's about getting as high of score as possible. Many schools give scholarships based on SAT scores. Some students need the structure of the course to study and do well. When I took the SATs, I initially got an 1180 and then I took Kaplan SAT score and received a 1330. I not only got into the college, I wanted but they gave me a $40,000 scholarship because I was over 1300 (this was based on 1600 score). My parents $500 investment saved me $40,000. If you are a top student, taking the SAT courses help tremendously.

By Patrick @ 06/09/09 09:57:50 AMreport abuse

SAT

Grandpa Gene, the purpose of high school is not to prepare everyone for the SAT or a 4 year college. The purpose of high school is to prepare students for life and everywhere they will go, which incudes into community colleges, the military, appreneticeship programs, and directly into the workforce. The SAT includes questions from Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, and Honors Pre Calculus. Only some students will need these courses, the SAT, or a 4 year college degree.

By Leslie @ 06/09/09 08:43:32 AMreport abuse

Dummies

What happen to the fact that if you had a diploma from high school you were ready to go, you should be able to pass the SAT test with flying scores with no problems.
Makes me think that a High School Diploma is not worth what it use to be. Have our children really been dumb down that Much????????????????????????????

By Grandpa Gene @ 06/08/09 07:29:32 PMreport abuse

Not just about The TEST anymore

Not as much weight is given to SATs anymore. Students need to be involved by working, volunteering, or joining a school or community organization.

By Amanda @ 06/08/09 04:29:11 PMreport abuse

SAT is now PC and useless

Back in the day you could divide an SAT score by ten and get a pretty good idea of the person's IQ. Nowadays they spot the kids 300 points and even then most can't cut the mustard in the real world. The modern SAT test is a joke.

By Ed @ 06/08/09 03:28:35 PMreport abuse

Listen Live:

Clark On Demand:

Clark's Advice:

Consumer Action Center:

Quick Links:

Clark Media:

Call The Show:

Jun 08, 2009 -- SAT prep courses not worth the money

Add your comment

What others are saying