SAT/ACT Preparation Options
UCHS
Karen May-Newman
PTSA Volunteer Coordinator
The Tests
• Most colleges accept either without preference
• SAT
–
–
–
–
http://sat.collegeboard.org/home
High score: 2400
3 sections: Math, Writing, Critical Reading
Format is changing in 2016
• ACT
– http://www.actstudent.org/
– High score: 36
– 4 sections (Math, English, Reading, Science) with
subsections
– Requires higher level math (trig)
Purpose
• Tests – to assess college readiness
• Prep Courses – to prepare students to take the
tests
– Advantages
• Provides directed learning and test-taking skills
• Practice exams
– Disadvantages
• Small increase in scores demonstrated
– A College Board study conducted in the mid 1990s showed that
SAT coaching resulted in an average verbal increase of 8 points
and an average math score increase of 18 points.
– A 2009 study by NACAC, the National Association of College
Admission Counseling, showed that SAT prep courses raised
critical reading scores by about 10 points and math scores by
about 20 points
• Costs money
Prep Course Options
• Private companies
– Many companies offer a tiered level of SAT/ACT preparation
• Difficult to compare directly due to differences in length,
prep exam feedback, etc
• Survey performed in 2013-14 to provide information for
UCHS parents and students to compare and choose the
best option for their budget, time commitment, and level
of preparation desired
• Catalyst vendor selected for UCHS
– Offer both SAT and ACT weekend “boot camps” on campus
– Fall and Spring, usually 1 week before test
– New Hybrid SAT/ACT Assessment allows students to evaluate
their test-taking aptitude
Options for SAT/ACT Test Prep
Survey from 2013-14
Company
Name
Catalyst
Revolution
Local/
Nonprofit
LA
LA
Program
Boot camp
Hrs
of
Instr
8
Targeted
prep
Solo tutor
6
Boot camp
4
Course
18
# prac SFR
exams
40
15
Local,
non
profit
Workshop
Elite
Elite
Irvine
Boot camp
AY Prep
Elite
Cost
Fundraiser?
Rep
Contact
Info
Notes
lect
$175
50%
Kymberli
Boynton
kymberli.gentile@cata
lystprep.com
Used last year;
Pay $350 for
custodian
$799
no
$1999
no
$49
50%
$599
no
In
home
5
Online
Cal-SOAP
mode
1520
6
3
lect
online
14
wk
UCSD
local
Course
16
USD
local
Course
25
SAT
Nat’l
online
Karin Tran
Karin.tran@revolution
prep.com
Won’t pay for
custodian
$ as discount
toward 6w course
Karla
Whitaker
kkwhitaker@ucsd.edu
http://sandiegocalsoa
p.com/star/programs.
php#testprep
Geared toward
low income; org
has funding probs
no
free
no
Don’t know
no
2100 +
Can split with a
friend for $999
SAT
Reasoning
Prep
no
3
lect
$325
lect
$695
$70
Josh
Shapiro
jshapiro@ucsd.edu
testprep@sandiego.ed
u
(619) 260-4579
Self-Study for Students
• Official SAT Study Guide with DVD $32
• Official SAT Online Course $70
• Free exam questions on website:
http://sat.collegeboard.org/practice/sat-practice-test
2012-13 SAT Boot Camp
Assessment of Catalyst was favorable from UCHS Students
Assessment Results for Catalyst 2012-2013
1. The
Bootcamp
was a good
experience.
2. I learned
things I did
not know
that would
help me
when I take
the test.
3. I felt the
review
helped me
brush up on
things I
needed to
take the
test.
4. The tips
that were
presented
were very
helpful for
taking the
test.
6. The
instructor
really knew
the
material.
7. The pace
of the
course was
appropriate
for the
students in
attendance.
8. The
material
covered
was
appropriate
for the
students in
attendance.
5. The
instructor
was
interesting.
9. The book
is a good
study
guide.
10. I would
recommend
this course.
Strongly Agree
56%
67%
63%
63%
63%
74%
37%
58%
63%
57%
Agree
37%
26%
30%
Neutral
7%
7%
7%
23%
33%
23%
23%
23%
30%
38%
14%
5%
2%
28%
19%
5%
5%
Disagree
0%
0%
Strongly Disagree
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
2%
0%
2%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
9%
0%
0%
0%
1. The
Bootcamp
was a good
experience.
2. I learned
things I did
not know
that would
help me
when I take
the test.
3. I felt the
review
helped me
brush up on
things I
needed to
take the
test.
4. The tips
that were
presented
were very
helpful for
taking the
test.
5. The
instructor
was
interesting.
6. The
instructor
really knew
the
material.
7. The pace
of the
course was
appropriate
for the
students in
attendance.
8. The
material
covered
was
appropriate
for the
students in
attendance.
9. The book
is a good
study
guide.
10. I would
recommend
this course.
Strongly Agree
57%
70%
68%
61%
57%
82%
52%
65%
78%
61%
Agree
43%
30%
23%
30%
39%
18%
22%
30%
17%
30%
Neutral
0%
0%
5%
9%
4%
0%
13%
4%
4%
9%
Disagree
Strongly
Disagree
0%
0%
5%
0%
0%
0%
13%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
University City
Sep 2012 SAT BC
(9/29-9/30)
University City
March 2013 SAT
BC (3/2-3/3)
Fall 2014 SAT Boot Camp
Assessment of Catalyst was favorable from UCHS Students
Disclaimer
• The prices shown are based on a survey conducted in
2014 and may have changed since then, please check
websites to confirm cost
• Prep courses for the SAT and ACT are optional, and
not required to achieve an outstanding score on these
exams.
• The UCHS PTSA does not endorse any particular test
preparation service, but does coordinate for a private
company to offer weekend, on-campus test prep for
students. This offer extends not only to students from
UCHS, but any student that wishes to register.