How to Find the Best SAT Tutor?

Answer 1

The SAT is a rite of passage for many high school upperclassmen and women. Written and administered by College Board and Educational Testing Service (ETS), millions of students take this test every year. Traditionally, the SAT was composed of two sections, Math and Verbal, of 800 points each. Recently, a third section, Writing, was added. Though ETS and the College Board claim that the SAT is not coachable, meaning that SAT scores are by and large fixed, many private SAT tutors and firms disagree. Many students see hundreds of points of score improvements after working with SAT tutors or classes. But with the bewildering variety of tutoring options on the market, how does a student and his or her parents make the best choice? Here are some considerations:

First, what is your budget? An SAT tutor is usually not cheap. In fact, this is usually the highest barrier to entry to obtaining help with the SAT. If you decide to obtain the services of a one-on-one tutor, you can expect to pay anywhere from $30 to $50 an hour or more, depending on the tutor’s experience and credentials. If you enroll in an SAT class, such as those offered by Princeton Review and Kaplan, you may pay less per teaching hour ($20 or more), but pay more up front (fees can range from $699 and up for 10 3-hour classes). Some companies do offer financial aid, however, and you may be able to negotiate lower rates with your tutor. If your budget is limited, consider complementing SAT studying with a SAT study book. You can then use the tutor for special topics or for more focused help.

Second, what sections do you or your student need help on? Some students are very skilled in reading and writing, but need serious help on math, or vice versa. Focusing on the sections of intense need can keep the budget down, as you will need fewer billable hours to get the most benefit. Indeed, you will probably not find a bargain basement hourly rate for a quality tutor, so the best way to save money is to limit the number of billable hours.

Third, do you want a proven company or a private tutor? With private companies, you know what you are getting. You will usually pay more for their services, but you will be certain you are getting a quality, trained teacher. You may even get score guarantees. A private SAT tutor may be more hit-or-miss. When considering a private tutor, ask for their credentials, including education, teacher training, and SAT experience. Best of all, ask for some references from former students. Find out what score improvements they received, and ask about the tutor’s work habits and teaching abilities.