Test prep makes sense for some high schoolers

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 1 million students enrolled each year in its ever-expanding list of courses.

Kaplan, who died in 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 raises 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, because some weeks-long tutoring programs carry 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, Mo.

Before you plunk down your money, here's one benchmark that could affect your decision: A recent survey by the National Association for College Admission Counseling revealed that test preparation could add about 30 points on the SAT (total 2,400) and one point on the ACT (total 36).

That's much lower than some companies advertise.

However, some college-admissions experts say that even small gains can significantly improve a student's chances of admission. Or increase a scholarship offer. So if your teen wants to take a prep course, investigate your options.

Fola Okediji, director of college placement at Rockhurst High School in Kansas City, Mo., suggests that 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 find a sample of test manuals at 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 is a free one-on-one session between your student and the tutor to help determine whether the two will have a good rapport.

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, extracurricular 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," Okediji said.

Contact Steve Rosen at or write to him at The Kansas City Star, 1729 Grand Blvd., Kansas City, MO 64108.