Kids & Money: Are college test prep classes worth your money?

More than 70 years ago, Stanley Kaplan started a tutoring service in the basement of his parents’ Brooklyn apartment.

Despite huge hurdles and long odds, the Stanley H. Kaplan Co. over the years sold millions of students on the need to prepare for college entrance exams by signing up for a Kaplan class. Today, the business, now part of The Washington Post Co., generates more than $2 billion in revenue with more than one million students enrolled each year in its ever-expanding list of courses.

Kaplan, who died in late August, was a visionary who helped launch the test preparation industry that includes such notables as The Princeton Review, the College Board and many smaller tutoring services.

With high school seniors and juniors scheduled to take exhaustive college entrance exams in the months ahead, it begs the question: Is it worthwhile enrolling your student in a test-prep course with the expectation that it may boost his chances of getting into his top college choice?
Like many things, the answer depends on how much time and money you and your student want to commit. It’s no small commitment either, since some weekslong tutoring programs carry hefty price tags of $1,000 or more.

But there should be another component to your decision. Is your student motivated to prepare for the exams? If your teen is not self-disciplined, taking a course might be the best money you’ve ever spent.

“Ultimately, what the courses and tutors provide is the structure and forced discipline that some students need to sit down at an assigned time each week and prepare,” said David Burke, head of college placement at Pembroke Hill School in Kansas City.

Before you plunk down your money, here’s one benchmark that could impact your decision: A recent survey by the National Association for College Admission Counseling revealed that test preparation can add about 30 points on the SAT (out of a total of 2,400) and one point on the ACT (out of a total of 36). This is much lower than some companies advertise.

My advice is to be wary of any testing company that “guarantees” a score increase of any magnitude. There are no guarantees.

However, some college admissions experts say that even small gains can significantly improve a student’s chances of admission. Or increase a scholarship offer.

It makes sense to encourage your student to prepare for the SAT and ACT exams, just like it makes sense for him to be prepared for any major test in school. A class probably isn’t necessary for good test-takers or self-motivated students. But if your teen believes that additional preparation with the help of a test service or other tutor will boost his confidence and impact his score, then investigate your options.

Fola Okediji, director of college placement at Rockhurst High School in Kansas City, suggests students try free or less expensive testing services first. See if your school offers free practice tests provided by testing companies. Practice tests also are available online, and you can also find a sampling of test manuals at bookstores or the library.

If possible, gather references from other parents or the high school college counselor before deciding on an instructor. Compare fees and ask if there’s a free one-on-one session between your student and the tutor to help determine whether the two will have a good rapport.

“The personality of the instructor has to be one that will mesh with your son or daughter,” said Burke.

Whatever you decide, remember that SAT and ACT scores are just a piece of the college admissions process. The high school courses taken and the grades earned, along with community service, extra-curricular activities and other personal qualifications, receive plenty of scrutiny.

“The best preparation is to take challenging courses in high school because this is what will best prepare students for college,” said Okediji.

Send comments and questions to srosen@kcstar.com or call 816-234-4879.