How to Choose the Best SAT Prep Materials On a Budget
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Ideally, high school graduates should start preparing for the Scholastic Aptitude Test or SAT a few months before the exam proper. While aiming a passing SAT score usually means spending money for high-cost test preparation, there are still ways for improving your child’s score on a budget. This is where using some prep materials enters the picture.
However, not all SAT materials are equal when it comes to affordability. Some are expensive, while others might be cheaper than you think. Thus, if you want to save money on these materials, you probably need to be careful in making choices for your child’s study sources.
To get the most out of both your money, here are a few tips for choosing the best SAT prep materials on a budget.
SAT: A Quick Overview
If you’re planning to admit your child to college, you must know what the SAT is and how it works for their college admission process. Primarily, SAT, which stands for Scholastic Aptitude Test, refers to a standardized test which is intended to help colleges and universities in the United States to determine how prepared the applicants are for college. This test works by measuring the skills of the applicants in various fields such as computational ability, reading comprehension, and clarity of expression.
Depending on which college or university to apply to, applicants need a specific score range to be eligible in their chosen institution. If you want them to be admitted into a top-tier school, they’ll more likely need a score of 1500 or higher. On the other hand, if they’re going to study at a state university, a score of 1050 is enough.
SAT: Tips For Choosing The Best SAT Prep Materials
Now that they’ve decided to go to college, you need to help them get ready for the SAT, and one of these preparations is to utilize some SAT materials. However, the process of choosing the best materials might not be easy. At some point, you have to make sure the test prep materials you pick for them also suit your budget.
So, if you’re looking for prep materials on a budget, below are some tips you should consider from the get-go:
Know What You’re Looking For
The first step to choosing the right SAT materials is to know what you’re looking for. Sometimes, it’s difficult for your child to prep for the SAT when you’re on a tight budget. Thus, if you’re looking to save money while helping them prepare for their exam, make sure you understand what your child needs.
Before you choose, it’s imperative to research online materials and courses you’d like them to take beforehand. For example, understand each course’s features to determine if it fits their overall study plan without breaking your wallet. Also, take a look at their comprehensive rationales and see to it that they’re crucial to their success on the exam.
By doing all of these things, you’re able to know which materials work best for your budget without compromising their learning journey.
Read Reviews Online
Finding the best materials for SAT online might not be easy. With plenty of courses to choose from, it’s challenging to pick the one that works best for your budget. To narrow down your list, it’s essential to read reviews online.
In most cases, checking some reviews and ratings can help you determine whether the prep materials are worth your money. And by doing this, you can make sure you’re getting the right SAT materials for your child, even on a budget.
Ask Friends And Relatives
You might have known someone who took the SAT exam before. So, it’s a good idea to ask that person about the materials and courses they’ve used in preparing for the examination.
Instead of checking every option online which is quite time-consuming, asking your friends and relatives about their recommendations can help you choose the best materials on a budget. Because of their previous experience, they usually knew which courses are both affordable and high-quality. That’s why use the recommendations you can get to know and see if their choices can help you save money on your child’s SAT preparations.
Check Whether The Materials Are Updated With The Current Content And Format
If you’re on a budget, you need to make sure you’re getting the most out of your child’s SAT prep materials. With a variety of materials and courses available online, the one you’re going to choose must be updated with the latest content and format.
Generally, most courses online go through extensive and continuous updates. But, deciding to pick the outdated ones means you’re wasting money on materials which your child can no longer use now and in the future.
Therefore, if you want to take full advantage of your SAT preparations while on a budget, always check whether the courses your child intends to use come in the current content and format.
Consider The Accessibility Of The Materials
When shopping around for the best prep materials on a budget, you also need to consider their accessibility. For example, if the online SAT course directs your child to access a website that contains videos and other interactive content, they might not be able to view the course efficiently if you can’t afford the whole package. Thus, check the accessibility first and be sure it doesn’t exceed your budget to avoid wasting money in the long run.
Conclusion
One of the best ways to prepare your child for the SAT is to let them take some challenging courses. However, using these courses doesn’t necessarily need to be expensive. With the tips mentioned above, you can still get the most out of your child’s preparation without putting a strain on your wallet.
Related: A Parent’s Guide To GCSEs >>
