Self-studying for SAT works
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Parents and students are being deceived. Tempting private SAT prep institutions that guarantee an improved and high SAT score lure in unsuspecting parents who simply want the best for their child’s future or hopeful students who believe SAT prep may actually help them achieve their desired SAT score. The emphasis on the SAT for college admissions has truly blinded students and parents from the truth of these scams.
Because the SAT is an essential determinant in college admissions, students are pressured to take the best educative measures in hopes of gaining admission into their dream college.
In actuality, the results solely depend on the student. SAT prep can yield the desirable results it claims to guarantee only if the student is truly motivated to earn them. With self-motivation and determination, a student’s ideal SAT score can be achieved without throwing money down the drain.
SAT prep classes may be ideal for students who need the structure of a class if they lack self discipline. However, paying a ridiculous amount of money for simply the structure is not worth it when the school offers SAT prep classes at no cost. It is ultimately up to students to take advantage of the prep classes and register for them.
It has come to the point where parents feel obligated or tempted to spend hundreds and thousands of dollars for SAT prep with the mindset that if it is costly, it must be effective. The reality of this deception is most private SAT prep institutions only offer extra packets, homework, advice, PSATs, and tutors to reteach old, forgotten concepts. These are ultimately resources that can be found almost anywhere with little to no cost.
For instance, Khan Academy teamed up with College Board to provide practice SAT problems, PSATS, and conceptual videos. Best of all, it is available at no cost. There are many online resources such as Brightstorm that require only access to a computer or laptop —not hundreds of dollars. If not online resources, there are libraries that host free PSATs that simulate the test-taking process of the SAT. There are effective $20 to $40 SAT books that provide example problems, thorough explanations justifying right and wrong answers, and tips on how to tackle the SAT.
The amount of money spent for SAT prep is ludicrous when there are so many free and effective resources available for students to aid them in performing their best on the SAT. Every student is capable of achieving their SAT goal without SAT prep institutions. The view that SAT prep can provide benefits that are unattainable from self-studying is a misconception. It is imperative that students and parents are cognizant of what SAT prep institutions truly offer and understand that the money invested in SAT prep can be spent more wisely.
