What exactly do you do in Sylvan or Kaplan SAT prep courses?

Question

Do you just go through practice tests and then review them? Anything else?

Please!!!! This is very important!!

An answer from someone who took a course would be great!

Answer 1

Hi, I've actually just begun the course last week. I'm enrolled in the Kaplan SAT prep course. We meet tuesdays and thursdays, but you can actually go online and pick from a list of locations with its given dates. On the first day we took the practice test and on the second day we worked on problems out of books they gave us. They taught us tips on how to go about answering  problems, when you should answer a question, and techniques to save time. They also gave us homework. Throughout the whole program we will be taking 4 tests and the rest will be lessons. Here's actually an e-mail I got which will hopefully answer all your questions:

"Here is a rundown of how the class works.  There are 12 sessions of class (8 lessons and 4 practice tests).  The first session is your diagnostic exam.  We use the diagnostic to see where you strengths and weaknesses are, at least from

the outset of the course.  Using your test results, we'll customize your Home Study Plan for you.  The Study Plan will give you access to additional online materials.  These online materials will enable you to have extra focus and practice on your weakest areas.  

Each lesson is 2.5 hours long.  In your lessons, we'll focus on giving you a comprehensive review of what's covered on the exam, from a content and material standpoint.  We'll also focus on teaching you the critical thinking skills and test taking strategies that are essential for scoring well on the exam.  

To help you to apply and reinforce everything that we coach you on, you'll take a series of practice tests.  You'll have access to 12 practice SATs through the course.

You'll also be enrolled into an online program for free, as an added bonus. The free online course features audio recorded versions of your in-class lessons.  While the recording plays, there is an interactive slideshow that plays along with it, to cover all of the work that normally goes up on the blackboard.  The recordings are led by a different instructor than your own, but it is someone teaching from the same lesson plan - allowing you to review all of your classwork, whenever you need to, from home.  

All of your books and materials are included as well.  And the program is backed by our Higher Score Guarantee.  As long as you go to your classes, take your required tests, and complete your homework assignments, you're automatically covered.  The Guarantee states that if you take the SAT at the end of your course and do not beat your original

practice test score (or your original SAT score - if you have taken the exam before) you're entitled to a refund on the course.  If you feel like you're not ready to take the exam at the end of the course - you do not have to rush in.  You may return to take a second course, in its entirety, for free, before ever taking the real test.  Lastly, if you wind up retaking the test, regardless of how much you improve by, you are also entitled to a second course for free. "

Overall, i do recommend the Kaplan SAT prep course. It's way more than just reviewing your practice tests.

Answer 2

The prep couses do help to a extent.

All they do is give you a book, and get your brian familar with the SAT type questions, and get you to think and help you solve problems the right way to get the answer. They make you take alot of practice tests and get you to answer alot of the harder questions on the SAT, so you will automatically know how to answer the easier ones.

I took the Kaplan prep couses, after my first SAT score of a 2230, and after the course i re-took the SAT and got a 2310.

Not a big difference, but I guess it was somewhat helpful.

Hope this helps, and good luck =]

Answer 3

I don't know about Sylvan, but the Kalplan one is a load of c**p.  I'm a teacher I should know.  All these guys do at the workshops is give you a book that you can buy at Barnes and Noble.  (any sat study book will do).  

If you can study by yourself, you will get the same benefit from the score increase as you would from the prepshop without the 1000 dollar fee.