Every year, students register for SAT tutoring courses with high hopes of getting the scores needed to get into their dream schools (and maybe snag a cool scholarship deal). Yet, for many in this situation, it can be overwhelming to know which of the SAT prep platforms will help them achieve their dreams. Add in the many promises and glittering guarantees offered by all the tutoring services, and it can become very confusing to know what to do.
The wrong choice can lead to failure, academic delays, and loss of money. But the right one means they receive the proper support system and coaching that will firmly plant their feet on the path to success. This is a lot of pressure for anyone. So, in this post, we will be looking at some of the best choices and ways of finding what’s right for you.
Are SAT Prep Courses Online Worth the Hype and Investment?
So why does it look like there is so much hype about SAT prep classes, especially the private SAT tutoring services? Well, the reason is simple – it works, and data proves that (and we all know numbers don’t lie in most cases). Studies conducted by the College Board show that students who take personalized SAT prep courses for just 6-8 hours can see an increase of 90 points on average. Those who do so longer (up to 20 hours or more) can expect an increase of 115 score points on average.
If you think about it, it does make sense that you get better scores by taking prep courses. After all, a marathon runner who practices more and gets extra professional coaching is likely to do better in a race compared to another who does only the bare minimum required. Here’s what you get when enrolling for credible SAT prep courses online or getting a private tutor:
- Personalized SAT coaching from experienced expert tutors who bring you up to speed on tactics to improve your scores
- Practice tests that are vital for identifying your weak areas so you can get the right help
- Access to helpful learning tools and web resources
- Individualized study strategy that is tailored to your needs
- Constant instant feedback that will build your confidence and more
- All the learning is done with a flexible schedule, so you can still take care of other important tasks
- The motivation needed to study effectively and someone to hold you accountable
- A marked improvement as you progress through the course
- Money and time saving by passing the test on the first try instead of having to rewrite it over and over again
6 Best Online SAT Prep Platforms and Services
A lot of people assume that the best online SAT prep platforms and services are too expensive, but is this really the case? Sure, there are a ton of courses out there that cost $1,000+. Still, you can find many other options across different budgets, like the following:
#1 Princeton Review
The Princeton Review has built a strong reputation over the years for being one of the top-rated test prep platforms available today. If you choose to go with them, you’ll get access to carefully selected and extensively trained online or in-person tutors with tons of helpful resources to make learning more immersive and effective for you.
With more than 2000 practice questions and an extensive collection of interactive video lessons, students who complete the course will see improvement in their scores. The only drawback is that the pricing is a bit on the higher side, with a range of $175-200/hour, depending on the package you choose.
#2 Learner
Learner is an online SAT prep platform that matches students with certified and experienced SAT instructors who will work with you to create a strategic study approach tailored to your own unique learning style. They include a handy progress tracker, which helps students keep track of their improvement, and lots of learning materials boost your scores. Still, this is not the best fit for those who want an in-person tutoring experience.
#3 Kaplan
Kaplan has been in the online SAT Tutoring game for over nine decades, making it one of the more experienced ones out there. You can’t go wrong with them if you want a self-paced program or a 1:1 tutoring guaranteed to help you score higher on the SATs. The price ranges from $249 for the on-demand SAT prep to $1999 for the unlimited prep package. Depending on what your specific needs and targets are, Kaplan has a team of expert tutors ready to provide personalized guidance that leverages your learning style to give you the best outcomes.
#4 PrepScholar
Founded by two perfect SAT scorers, PrepScholar promises to give you quicker results in less time using its adaptive test prep approach. In fact, they claim a 160+ points result, or you get free tutoring sessions. For $399, you can get a custom-made study plan with expert instructors who will break down complex SAT problems into more digestible bite-sized chunks that are easy to understand. Its comprehensive program is one of the more budget-friendly options available.
#5 AceIt
AceIt offers one of the more affordable SAT online practice tools designed to help you track and boost your test scores. With the extensive collection of practice questions, AI-driven data analytics system, digital study buddy, score predictive algorithm, mobile app, and more, you can continually monitor your progress and identify areas that need more attention. The feedback system also comes with detailed explanations for every question and answer, making it easy to grasp each one without too much hassle. Students can sign up for a free trial or just stick with the free practice questions.
#6 Khan Academy
Khan Academy, while not technically an SAT tutoring platform, does offer a $0 charge officially approved test prep tool. You get free practice tests and learning materials like videos, quizzes, etc., all approved by the College Board in charge of the SAT tests. The only downside to using just this platform is that you miss out on the guidance of a live expert instructor, which is crucial for some students.
Also, it seems to focus more on the math tests, giving less attention to the reading and writing sections. Still, if you prefer an independent self-paced test prep strategy, then this is your best bet. You can also pair it up with a different online SAT tutoring program somewhere down the line. Even just getting some private coaching and mentorship on the aspects that you struggle with and combining this with your independent SAT prep can go a long way.
Are Online SAT Prep Classes Right for You?
Despite the many advantages of online SAT prep classes, not everyone will be able to reap the benefits. Here are the main reasons why some students might find it more challenging than others:
- Limited direct interaction is the first big issue. If you are a student who does well with an instructor right there to monitor your progress and give you that spontaneous feedback, you might find online courses more limiting. Even with live online chat sessions and video calls, you may not be able to enjoy more in-depth interaction with peers and tutors.
- Some grouped classes can have too many students, which can be counterproductive for those who need more focused attention.
- In grouped classes, the structure of the lesson is less customizable, which can make it less effective for you.
- While private 1:1 online tutoring and small group settings have the best impact, you may have to do a lot of digging around to find the best affordable quality option for you, which might take some time.
Criteria for Choosing the Best SAT Tutoring Course
Before enrolling in any online SAT tutoring course, here are a few things you must check:
- Do they have qualified instructors, preferably accredited by reputable institutions?
- How long will the course last? (It should cover a good amount of time but also end early enough for you to process and recover before the test day.)
- Are there tailored lesson plans and supplementary prep resources available?
- Is it cost-effective and worth the amount charged?
- What is their guarantee and refund policy?
- What are other past students saying about it in the reviews?
- Is the support team responsive, or does it take days before you get any answer?
Like with all things in life, the results you get from SAT tutoring programs depend on the commitment and effort you are ready to put into the experience. Remember that the best is not always the most expensive but the one that can help you reach your goals. Focus on making steady progress each day, and soon, you will be ready to tackle the SATs head-on and ace the tests. Best of luck.