Stay at Home Moms

Sylvan or Huntington

Does anyone have any experience with these?  My daughter took her practice ACT and scored a whopping 16 *sigh*. She took it through huntington and did some further testing with them as well. They are now telling us they can help her for 10k. Yes, you read that right.  I'm just not sold that she needs that much help considering she's in honors classes.  We want her to succeed and we'd be willing to pay this.  I just need to know it would be worth it.
Kevin & Traci May 11, 2006 Lilypie Third Birthday tickers Photobucket

Re: Sylvan or Huntington

  • I would invest in some test prep books instead and see if that helps...once she is familiar with the style of the subject tests on the ACT, she may be more comfortable during the actual test itself.
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  • Aren't there ACT prep classes?  I would go that route before spending 10k.  That's a ton.  Since the test was done through them as well, I would be leary that the results were skewed.  If she's in honors classes, she's not a bad student. 
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  • Have you looked into The Princeton Review?  Not certain they have people in all states - we have them in TX.  I think they have a great reputation and service delivery options.  Both Huntington and Sylvan (and their crazy rates) make me a bit nervous and skeptical, but I don't have a ton to back that up with.  GL!!

    https://www.princetonreview.com/college/act-test-preparation.aspx 

  • I used to teach SAT classes through The Princeton Review (ACT vs SAT is very regional - and one of the things you may want to do is have her take a practice SAT online to see if she does better on that type of test - colleges accept either and they test differently, so you never know). Princeton Review and Kaplan are the two "biggies" in test prep. The ACT and SAT are both VERY coachable tests, but classes or tutors are definitely pricey. I believe both companies offer online courses that will be a lot less expensive. The books are also great - it depends on how self motivated she is.
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  • Oh, and as I am sure you know, those tests have zip to do with intelligence, what classes you take in school, etc. It is mainly about how well you take that particular type of standardized test. That is why in some respects it is a very good idea to use a book or take a test prep course
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  • They took us in this room and blasted us with the possibilty of her having a sad future because she has severe remedial problems.  Mom assessment....she's lazy.

    Anyways I'm very skeptical of the grade now that the remedy to the grade is 10k.  Also every kid I've seen come out of the office where they review the test grade with the parents is crying.  We live in a very nice neighborhood with the best schools in the state, so why is EVERY kid who tests there crying when they leave.  I think it's a marketing tool.

    So I'm going to have her retested in a normal act test setting and I'm also buying Kaplan's ACT in a box as well as using tools on the internet.  I was just wondering had anyone had experience with them either good or bad. The reviews I'm seeing online are painting it out to be a scam.

    Kevin & Traci May 11, 2006 Lilypie Third Birthday tickers Photobucket
  • I would just buy the book too but set aside time to do it as if she were at tutoring, maybe even leave the house.  I used to work for Huntington and I always loved my test prep students because I hardly had to do anything at all!  I cannot believe they charge that much especially since as the teacher I didn't make very much.  I do believe they only hire certified teachers though and I mainly tutored math since that was my endorsement.

    Most of my test prep students came in a twosome; best friends or siblings.  I bet they got a discount, maybe that is an option too. 

  • Just lurking -

    I worked at Sylvan as an instructor and a manager.  All of the intructors are certified teachers, but none of them are actually trained to do test prep.  They just open a book and assign work and/or give a few practice tests.  I don't know about Huntington, but I would not use Sylvan for test prep of any kind.  SAT and ACT tests mainly test a person's test-taking ability, not their intellect.  Even if your child is in honor's classes, she may not be a great test taker.  Definitely take a practice SAT as well and then look into a few test prep books.  If you have any junior colleges nearby, they usually offer test prep classes as well, and those instructors are properly trained.  Good luck!

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