I was skeptical about one on one tutoring but it was perfect for my daughter whose verbal SAT was low relative to math. It was clear that the tutor taught her test-taking skills in general as her math score also improved dramatically with the tutoring. It was money and time well spent. She had taken a group class for PSAT prep and did not find it particularly helpful.

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MVHS and LAHS schools should offer SAT / ACT prep as an elective. Many schools on the east coast (where most of the population resides) already do.

I don't like the underlying assumption in this post, which is that of course students will need to take these tests, and of course they should seek extra instruction. If that's what you're into, fine, I'm not trying to stop anybody. But for those who don't want to be part of the competition or the inequities that it reinforces, there are options. First of all, students can take the tests without taking classes in how to take the tests. Motivated students can find free resources online, cheap used books, or library books to familiarize themselves with the tests and practice independently. And there are hundreds of fine colleges that are test optional, or do not accept test scores.
Web Link

Studies have shown there is little correlation between SAT/ACT test results and college success. In fact, many colleges and universities are moving away from this outdated testing practice. The important thing here is to remember the mental health of teenagers and not pile more pressure on them. I agree with the comments above that public and private schools can do their own test preparation classes offered as an elective. This will save parents hundreds of dollars. And, there are so many free avenues to test preparation offered by the internet, book stores and library books. The ETS, founders of the college testing requirements and perpetrators of continuing test requirements, are making millions on this soon to be outdated testing requirement.

I'm with David Cohen in being disappointed in this article, especially given that its author makes money by advising local parents and their children about applying for college. The first question a family should be encouraged to ask about standardized testing is not when to prepare for it, but whether to support the testing-industrial complex at all. Some of the most thoughtful educators and institutions in the US are moving in exactly that direction [see, for example: Web Link In a community that cares about innovation and education, we can surely do better than uncritically buying into a system that is both deeply flawed and isn't even required by some of the most outstanding institutions in the country.

Our oldest daughter is a senior at M-A and she used AJ tutoring to help her study for the SAT, ACT, SAT subject tests and AP Tests. M-A does offer a test prep course but the hours didn't work for our daughter's sports practice schedules. We thought the AJ tutors were helpful and if you have the means, would recommend AJ's without reservation.

I suppose it could be nice to live in a socialist utopia where private tutors weren't needed and it wasn't insanely competitive to get into top schools like Stanford and Cal, but let's be real. Other kids are absolutely going to get tutors. The students at private schools like Menlo, Sacred Heart, Harker, Crystal Springs, etc. are all getting tutors and admissions consultants that will buff their applications to a high gloss. Unilateral disarmament is a lovely concept, but not when your child's academic future hangs in the balance.

We are big fans of public schools in general and M-A in particular, and with the money we saved by not sending our kids to private school, we thought it was prudent to spend a little on private tutors. Our daughter was accepted early to her first choice Ivy League school, and AJ played a small but meaningful role in helping her raise her scores on important tests.

What exactly does an ivy league school do for a student? My daughter turned down admissions to Smith and Brown, passed her CPA test after a state school education and was a first picked college graduate to work as a CPA, at a big four accountancy firm. She was always smart and wanted to have a well rounded school experience with sports and social clubs, without too much pressure.

Many in my family went to Cal, USC, and Stanford after going to SI, and Sacred Heart prep and they lead ordinary lives similar to their peer group who went to community colleges and then four year state schools.

BTW, the roughly $250,000. saved on my daughter's college education bought a Coastside home now worth a million dollars.

Please everyone, talk to your teens. Don't pressure them. Don't make it feel that college is the only way.

We have had another teen suicide on the tracks today. We want our teens to feel valued. We want our teens to have fun. We want our teens to feel that life has plenty to offer. We want them to feel valued for who they are. All of us have had disappointments in life. All of us have felt depressed at times. All of us have had arguments with family or friends. Most of us have been able to get through it. Some don't.

Reach out to any teen you know. Maybe it will make a difference that you will never be aware of. But do it anyway.

I was a suicidal teen once. My saving grace was a youth club with some great leaders and the parents of my best friend. I would never have done anything formal to get help, but feeling loved and valued made the difference.

I'm sure the posted comments deriding the author, tutors and test prep are well intentioned, but as practical advice I would ignore them unless you are applying to the community college system, which only require a GED or a high school diploma. What these comments ignore is the simple fact that even schools that don't use standardize test scores still require transcripts, essays and other qualifiers. And we're back to the competitive nature of admissions. Getting into your dream school requires help from your peers, teachers, parents and yes, sometimes people with more expertise than you, free or otherwise.

We are offering test prep to our daughter, all of us knowing that it's a big expense and sacrifice. However, we all also know that the main purpose is to reduce stress for her. Knowing her, she will stress anyway and by being as prepared as she can be, it's actually helpful for reasons other than increasing her score. It will ease her mind.

By the way, I really do believe it depends on the kid in many ways. For some kids, going the JC route is more stressful because then they have to prepare and apply again, when it's time to transfer. And transferring isn't always smooth. Required classes vary by the 4 year and some JC's may not offer all of them, requiring the kid to attend multiple JC's. If you go in with with a clear plan and study hard and aren't stressed by ambiguity it is a great option. But it isn't for everyone.

Also, it just isn't as easy as it used to be to get into UC or the Cal State system, so if money is an issue and that's what a kid is targeting, being prepared is good. And some kids really benefit from structure and deadlines that a tutoring program (or class) can offer.

I don't want to stop anyone from helping their kids.

I just ask all parents to watch this video first. Web Link

Thank you, the video was great!

San Mateo and Santa Clara Counties have excellent community colleges. It's interesting to me that all of the posts on "pushing" and preparing kids for colleges are coming from adults and not high school students. Parents do need to "chill out" regarding pushing and stressing out their children. In addition to suicide, there are also major drug problems and cheating among high school students experiencing stress. Kids know that you parents are doing what you think is right; but, listen to your children.

My Mother taught at UCB and didn't pressure us. On my own, I received some grants. I eventually completed my doctorate. There was no pressure on me to do so.