Is SAT Test Preparation Necessary

Is SAT Test Preparation Necessary? Do You Need SAT Test Prep? The National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) studied the impact of paid preparation for college admissions tests and its impact on student scores. While the study found that student scores did go up, they went up minimally. For some students, a 10-20 point gain in the math section and a 5-10 point gain in the reading section could prove to be fairly significant, particularly when those students want to get into a high stakes school or just barely miss the cutoff for admission or a major scholarship. However, for most students, that amount of difference in scores may not make much of a difference at all. Related Articles What Is the SAT Test? What Is the SAT Test? Guide to the New SAT Changes for Teens Guide to the New SAT Changes for Teens What Is the ACT Test? What Is the ACT Test? Avoid Unofficial Tests In order to raise their SAT scores, students must also have a previous SAT score. While some companies have students take mock tests throughout the program and compare their scores, parents and students should not rely on these tests. After all, many of the companies design their own mock SAT tests and some have been known to doctor their tests to provide lower scores at the beginning of the program and inflated scores at the end of the program to give students a faulty sense of accomplishment. Students who have time to take the SAT multiple times may do best to take the test once on their own before determining whether they need to seek out a test prep course, system, or book to improve their score. SAT Prep Courses, Systems, and Books If you feel you need to prep for the SAT, you have numerous options at your disposal. However, not all options have been created equal. While the NACAC study found that test prep courses and online systems offered the highest gains overall, these options come with a hefty price tag and still only provided modest gains. With every method - courses, test prep systems, and books - some students experience high increases in scores, while others experience no increase at all. Parents and students must look at what each option offers and how it fits in with their overall budget, learning style, and test prep needs.