Choosing an SAT or ACT Test Prep Course? Ask These Questions First

Preparing for college entrance exams like the SAT or ACT can be daunting, and many students feel anxious about taking these exams. Choosing the right test prep course or tutor can help alleviate some of this anxiety by familiarizing students with the exams and test-taking strategies. However, with so many options available, it can be difficult to know where to start when shopping for a test prep class. As you evaluate your options, keep in mind these key questions.

Who will be teaching the class?

The first question to ask when choosing a test prep class is who will be teaching the class. Some test prep companies use recent college graduates with high SAT/ACT scores when they took the exam in high school. While these individuals may have done well on the exams themselves, they may not have the training or experience to be effective teachers. Be sure to ask about the training the instructors receive to help them become effective teachers, not just effective test-takers. The best programs either use experienced educators as instructors or use educators to train instructors.

What content will be covered?

Another important question to consider is what the content of the class will be. In each session, is time divided equally between the different sections of the exams, or are whole sessions devoted to specific sections? Is more time spent on particular sections or particular skills development? Additionally, ask how many full-length practice exams will be given during the course; research has shown that the outcome improves when these are used. Also, ask how the practice exams are scored and how the results are shared. Do you receive any personal feedback on your strengths and weaknesses displayed through taking the exam? It's important to determine if the class suits your learning style and needs. Some students will do best with private tutoring, while others can do well in a group or small group setting.

What materials will you use in the class?

When it comes to materials, the best test prep classes and test prep tutors will use actual SAT and/or ACT exams for practice. They will not create their own exams. While many test prep companies use their own proprietary study books, it’s helpful to incorporate the College Board’s and the ACT’s own study guides into the learning environment. This will give you a better idea of what to expect on the exam and help you become more familiar with the format and types of questions you will encounter.

What’s the class size?

Another important factor to consider is the class size. Smaller class sizes are generally more beneficial for students as they allow for more individualized attention and the ability to ask more questions. When inquiring about the class size, it's also important to ask how much time is allocated in each class session for answering individual questions. This will give you an idea of how much one-on-one time you can expect to receive.

Is there a refund policy?

When it comes to cost, it's important to ask about the refund policy. If you don't think the course is helping after a session or two, can you get a refund? What happens if you get sick or have a scheduling conflict requiring dropping out of the course? It's important to understand the policies before signing up for a course so you're not caught off guard if something unexpected happens.

Does your tutor have references?

If you're considering working with a private tutor, checking references is important. This is especially important as what works well for one student may not be the best fit for all students. When checking references, be sure to dig deeper with your questions to get a sense of the tutor's style, approach, and ability to adapt to your needs.

What’s the course or instructor success rate?

Finally, it's important to be cautious when evaluating the success rate of a tutor or prep course. If a suggestion is made that all students who take the course will raise their scores by 100 or 200 points, warning bells should sound. Students in any class will learn and improve at their own rates; it is rare to see the same increases across the board for all students. Similarly, don't be overly impressed by promises that you can retake the prep class for free if your scores don't increase. You want a course that helps the first time.

When choosing an SAT or ACT prep course, it's important to consider who will be teaching the class, the content of the class, the materials used in the class, the class size, the refund policy, and the success rate of the tutor or prep course. Additionally, it's important to check references if working with a private tutor. Considering these factors, you can select a course that best fits your needs and helps you achieve your desired test score. Remember, the goal is to alleviate anxiety about taking the exam, become familiar with the exams and test-taking strategies, and improve your score.