Should you take one of those SAT preparation courses? Is it worth
the money, the time, the effort, the bother? According to a past
study by the Educational Testing Service, which administers the SAT
for the College Board, coached students who took the test twice
or more increased their verbal score by 29 points, math by 40.
Uncoached students showed an increase of 21 points on the verbal
and 22 on math. These are the figures the College Board cites to claim
that coaching does not really help.
Nevertheless, given their importance, I would recommend investing
the time and money in any such reputable course—such as Stanley
Kaplan, Princeton Review, BAR/BRI—or, at the very least, buying
one of the major test-prep books.
Because these are, indeed, standardized tests, learning and utilizing
specific techniques pertinent to them and practicing on tests given
previously cansignificantly increase your scores, if only because
you will feel less anxious and have a better idea of what’s in store
for you.
There are students who achieve exceptional test scores on their SATs
and go on to compile barely adequate college records. These people
are said to “test well”: The testing environment doesn’t throw them
and they have sufficient prior experience to have an edge on the
rest of the competition. Others “choke” during such tests but wind
up at the top of the career pyramid.
You’ve probably been told for most of your life that your score on
the SAT will determine whether you are a raving success eating
in the finest restaurants or the busboy who cleans up afterwards.
How vital is the SAT to the college admissions process and, one
presumes, to the rest of your life? Depending on whom you listen to,
“very” or “not at all.”
210 How to Study