Like most things in life, the answer to the question of whether you should prep for the SAT online or in person is: it depends.
In this case, it depends on what kind of learner you are, what your schedule looks like, how quickly you need to beef up your skills, and how much you (or your parents) want to pay.
Online education is still young, trying to find its footing as technologies become more sophisticated and people become more connected to the internet 24/7. And SAT prep is also entering a phase of speedy evolution, as the College Board announced recently that will provide free preparation for the redesigned test that begins in the Spring of 2016.
But if the College Board's record for (lack of) transparency is any indication, the prep they provide will be incomplete at best. They've been providing "College Board Official Prep" for decades and certain students benefit from more than that. After all, their job is to present questions that can't be "tricked"!
So it's important to keep on top of all your options, as you only have to take the test once if you prepare well. Like it or not, the SAT is probably an important factor in the direction of your post-high school life.
A quick comparison of online and classroom SAT prep:
|
|
Online |
Classroom |
| where | wherever you want | major cities |
| when | whenever you want |
late (average weekday start time 7pm) or early (average weekend start time 8am) |
| setting | home, library, your choice | high school and college classrooms |
| customization |
fully customized algorithmic program* |
none |
| timed practice | 10 full practice tests* | none (no time!) |
| program design | self-paced | pre-planned (if you get sick, too bad!) |
| upgrades | every 2 weeks | when the test changes (approx. every 10 years) |
| progress tracking | constant and precise | none |
| instructor availability | 24/7 | during class time (about 3-6 hours per week) |
| feedback | constant and updated | very little |
|
*with PrepScholar |
When Classroom is Better:
Of course, there are advantages to traditional classroom instruction that are difficult to quantify. There are some types of students who will do well in a classroom setting:
- students who require the presence of an authority figure to get anything done
- students who enjoy the high school experience
- students who aren't much higher or lower than the average ability of the class
- students who are willing to ask every single question they have
- students who prefer pen-and-paper work to online work
If you or your student(s) fall into a few of these categories, you may want to consider classroom preparation. But most students don't.
Obviously, online SAT prep has a ton of advantages—and its abilities are expanding every day.
The bottom line is that most proponents of classroom teaching don't know what technology is capable of. Most educators, in high schools and big prep companies, are middle-aged or older. Their experience with technology is limited at best. PrepScholar (time to toot our own horn!) is founded and staffed entirely by people who have been using computers our whole lives. The company was founded on the principle that technology can provide enriching, compelling educational experiences and we are constantly working to push the boundaries of what we can deliver. We aren't the least biased authority on the advantages of online test prep, but we may be the best informed.
Next Up: Should you take the New SAT or Old SAT?
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