Most higher education institutions require students to take some form of a standardized test in order to gain admission--the most common of these tests is the SAT. There are about as many preparatory courses for the SAT as there are colleges and universities to choose from, so finding the right prep course requires a lot of careful consideration.
The course you ultimately decide to take should be both affordable and individualized so it addresses your study habits and your needs. In order to help you pick the right course, here are a few tips to help you compare programs.
Qualified Instructors
The instructor can make or break an SAT prep course, so it's important to find one that knows the materials and is able to adapt his or her teaching style to fit the student. While there is no specific certification that a prep course instructor can get, you can look for instructors who have lots of experience in teaching the courses, and a track record of raising scores of the students with whom they work. If necessary, ask the instructor to provide a resume, and find out what they scored on their own standardized tests. Another option is to work with a professional SAT preparation company that has stringent guidelines for hiring and maintaining qualified teachers.
Effective Teaching Methods
Most SAT prep course instructors will probably say that they can teach you effective test-taking strategies and prepare you for the exam, but the real proof is in their pupils. Find out what kind of track record they have in working with other students, and whether their methods truly did result in higher scores. In fact, many companies today have done so much work with proven strategies that they are willing to offer a guarantee they will raise your test scores. If you're working with a tutor or a company that does not guarantee the same results, you may want to think twice about hiring them. In any case, be sure to get the guarantee in writing so you can get a refund if the promised results do not materialize.
Affordable Courses
Even the best SAT prep course will not help you raise your test scores if you can't afford it, so cost is going to be a factor in your decision as well. Depending on your needs, you can find a tutoring program that offers weekly or monthly rates, or a short-term prep course that lasts a couple of weeks and charges a flat fee.
Individual or Group Review
Some SAT prep course have options for group versus one-on-one learning models. Deciding which of these to choose will depend mostly on your needs. If you are able to learn well in a group setting, you may be able to save some money by taking the course that way, but if you prefer to have individualized attention and course materials that are prepared specifically for your needs, opting for the one-on-one tutoring may benefit you more. Some prep course programs may also let you create a "hybrid" program where you do some instruction as part of a group but also get a certain number of personal sessions to answer individual questions.
Any program you choose should be geared toward your individual needs, provide hands-on experience in test taking, employ qualified instructors, and use proven methods to increase your score. Finding the right one is a matter of comparing each program and determining which can best meet your needs.
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Lawrence Reaves writes for School Tutuoring Academy, that offers one-on-one SAT prep to students seeking a comprehensive program. If you want to prepare for your SAT then visit them at http://schooltutoring.com/test-prep-main/sat-tutoring/
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