The future of your child's education isn't something to be taken lightly, and that's just one thing which makes choosing an SAT preparation class difficult. Throw in the seemingly endless stream of options, prices, claims, configurations, locations, and guarantees, and it's easy to get overwhelmed. So what really matters when you're trying to make a choice? Well, we're guessing that you want results, plain and simple. How do you know that the particular company you're choosing will produce them for your child though? You might want to ask the following questions...
HOW MANY STUDENTS WILL BE IN MY CHILD'S CLASS?
Many students choose an SAT prep class over private tutoring because they enjoy the group dynamics of a classroom atmosphere, and benefit most from this type of learning environment. Most parents though, wouldn't be too happy if they knew that their child was getting "lost in the shuffle" so to speak, and wasn't throughly engaged in the class. That's why class size is of utmost importance when you're comparing SAT prep companies. At FastForward Thinking, we limit ALL our classes to just 8 students. We think that a small group atmosphere is absolutely necessary to maximize both participation and results. You'll find all of our classrooms arranged in "boardroom style" where everyone is seated around the same table, and it's not possible for any student to hide in the back of the classroom. You can expect plenty of individual attention along with the synergy of working with a small group of likeminded students. Just ask the competition what their maximum class size is, and watch them backpedal. They might start talking about their "average class size," but sadly, most companies pack in as many students as possible in order to maximize profits. We'd rather maximize SAT scores.
But class size is only the beginning...
ARE ALL STUDENTS PUT IN THE SAME CLASS, REGARDLESS OF THEIR SCORE LEVEL AND ABILITY?
You might be shocked to learn that almost every company out there lumps all students together into the same class, regardless of their SAT score level. If you think this sounds a little crazy, we agree! There's no need for a one room schoolhouse, one size fits all approach to SAT prep, and that's why we give you the choice of three different class levels:
• REGENTS: This class is designed for students scoring below 500 out of 800. You can expect a strong focus on the basic skills necessary to do well on the SAT, as well as an equal emphasis on SAT-specific strategies.
• HONORS: This class is intended for students scoring between 500 and 650. We spend less time reviewing the basics, and jump right into both advanced logic and problem-solving skills as well as SAT-specific strategies. Our focus in this class is more exclusively on SAT questions of medium and hard difficulty.
• GIFTED: This class is restricted only to students scoring above 650 out of 800. You can expect a quick pace and a focus on only the most difficult SAT questions. We'll delve into both traditional methods of solving extremely hard SAT problems as well as alternate approaches to boosting both your speed and accuracy.
So now you're in a class that's geared to your scoring level, but...
WHO'S TEACHING THE CLASS?
Sometimes it's hard to know what you're going to get when you walk into your first class meeting. Some big-name companies sound reputable but they're actually loaded with college students or part-timers with very little SAT teaching experience. Other companies brag that all of their instructors have either perfect SAT scores or ivy league diplomas, but we've all had teachers who were very smart but either incredibly confusing or boring, so are these the only qualifications that really matter? If credentials alone aren't good enough, then what's the right mix? We think that you deserve to feel comfortable with both the professionalism and experience level of your child's SAT prep teacher, and that's why all of our instructors have the following qualifications:
• EXPERIENCE: Minimum of 4 years SAT prep teaching and tutoring experience
• EXPERTISE: Minimum of 95th percentile SAT scores
• PROFESSIONALISM: Master's Degrees as a minimum as well as professional experience
• DYNAMIC PERSONALITIES: Credentials alone won't energize and motivate your child in an SAT prep class, but our teachers will! We make sure that our students are engaged as they learn in a fun and supportive environment.
• ACCESSIBILITY: All of our teachers are always available to provide assistance outside of class hours. We'd love to speak with you about your child's performance in class, as well as their strengths and weaknesses.
We're not through yet. Are they willing to put their money where their mouths are?
IS THERE ANY FINE PRINT ON YOUR GUARANTEE?
Would you be happy if you invested time and money in an expensive prep course, only to have your child's score stay the same? Certainly not, and we're sure that you'd want your money back right away. Unfortunately though, some companies might surprise you at this point with their "homework clause" or their "must take two SATs after completing the class clause."
Other companies claim that their average score increases are 300 points in order to gain your trust. We hate to break it to you, but this is a cruel and deceptive marketing ploy. Here's a great question to ask a company that makes claims such as this: Are you willing to refund all of my money if I don't gain 300 points on my next SAT? You'll very quickly see how much faith they have in their own course. Click here to read a report published by the makers of the SAT on the effects of coaching.
Want a guarantee without any fine print? Here's our pledge to you:
• IF YOU DON'T RECEIVE A HIGHER SCORE ON YOUR NEXT SAT, WE'LL GIVE YOU A FULL REFUND.
No strings attached, no claims that "you're not eligible because your child didn't complete all of the homework," and no fine print saying "sorry, you must take two official SATs after the course in order to qualify for a refund." Haven't taken an SAT yet? We'll count your most recent official PSAT score as your baseline.
• YOU CAN ALWAYS RETAKE OUR CLASS AT ANY LEVEL FOR JUST $99 IF YOUR SCORE HASN'T INCREASED 300 POINTS.
Once again, unlike other companies, there aren't any time limits or catches. We want you to reach the score of your dreams, and we'll keep working with you until you do. That's where our customized class levels come in handy, as you can take our course at the next higher level for just $99 if your score hasn't gone up 300 points on your next SAT.
Great! Finally a no-nonsense guarantee, but what if you'd still like to check out the class firsthand?
CAN I CHECK OUT THE CLASS FOR FREE?
We know that you take your child's future seriously, and that's why we have a no-risk trial offer. We're so confident in our program that we welcome you to attend the first class to see what you think, and if you're not satisfied for any reason, just let us know and we'll refund all your money. It's as simple as that. We won't charge any fees, and we won't make you jump through any hoops. All we ask is that you let us know prior to the second class, and return all course materials. So if there's no risk, what are you waiting for?
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?
The entire course costs just $595, hundreds of dollars less than the competition! If you're still not 100% sure though, you can always leave a $195 deposit in order to hold yourself a seat in one of our classes. Don't wait too long though, because with only 8 students allowed in each class, space fills up quickly.
Well, what are you waiting for? Click the button below to get started and create your own customized SAT prep course!
