SAT Test Prep

About the SAT^® Reasoning Test

The SAT Reasoning Test is a standardized exam that is required for college admissions at the majority of colleges and universities nationwide. The SAT consists of three sections: Math, Critical Reading and Writing. The Writing portion of the SAT includes an Essay component, which is scored on a scale from 2 to 12. Each of the three sections is scored on a range from 200 to 800 points, for a total possible combined score of 2400 points. The SAT is three hours and 45 minutes long.

SAT Reasoning & Subject Test Dates for the 2009-2010 School Year

The chart below provides guidelines for when to start SAT or Subject Test prep lessons based on planned test date and how many of the 3 sections of the SAT--- Math, Critical Reading, Writing ---you anticipate need review and preparation.

The chart below provides guidelines for when to start SAT or Subject Test prep lessons based on planned test date and how many of the 3 sections of the SAT--- Math, Critical Reading, Writing ---you anticipate need review and preparation.

Ivy West's SAT Curriculum

Ivy West has been developing and updating its own SAT curriculum with a team of dedicated educators and testing experts over the past 20 years. Our SAT course book contains an overview of the structure and pacing of the SAT, review of all academic concepts that are tested on the SAT and a compilation of dozens of proven strategies that Ivy West has developed to help students solve problems, narrow down answer choices, know when to skip questions, and more. Additionally, our SAT course book comes with a variety of practice homework problems for every section of the SAT.

Some Ivy West students decide to take the SAT a second or third time to see if they can improve further upon their scores. This may be an especially attractive option as The College Board has announced an important change to the current SAT score-reporting policy. This new policy gives students the freedom to send colleges and universities only the scores that students believe best represent their ability --- at no additional cost. This new score-reporting policy will go into effect in early February 2009, and will be available to students taking the March 2009 test.

If it has been several months since their initial prep program, many students are looking to review or brush-up on their SAT skills. For these students, Ivy West has created an SAT Refresher program and a corresponding SAT Refresher course book which contains lesson problems and practice problems that are unique from those in their first program’s SAT course book. With Ivy West’s SAT Refresher program, students can review and apply their SAT skills in new and challenging ways with problems they have not seen before.

SAT Program Highlights

Unique Features
PrepMap Assessment™ - all Ivy West SAT Programs come with PrepMap Assessment™ - Ivy West's proprietary assessment is the most advanced diagnostic tool available for understanding your specific and unique test prep needs. It scientifically identifies your strengths, weaknesses, and testing propensities and is the tool we use to build the most customized and effective test prep program.

Ivy West Custom - 16 lessons (or section-specific)

Who it's designed for:
Students who need a comprehensive program that provides preparation across all areas of the SAT and would like an Ivy West tutor to come to their home for one-on-one tutoring. This 16 lesson package provides students with the complete set of skills, strategies and the preparation they’ll need to optimize their scores across all areas of testing --- Math, Critical Reading and Writing. Section specific programs for Math, Critical Reading and/or Writing are also available.

Ivy West Live On-Line - 16 lessons

Who it's designed for:
Students who need, or prefer to work on-line rather than having an Ivy West tutor come to the home. This 16 lesson comprehensive program features the same certified Ivy West tutor who conducts test prep lessons in an interactive, online format. Just like in-person lessons, online lessons take place one-on-one, on the student’s schedule, in the convenience of their home, or at any other remote location where they have access to the Internet. As an online student, you receive course book materials, practice tests and score reports. Headset and writing tablet provided for an additional fee. This program is not available in a section specific format.

How It Works
In online programs, students and tutors communicate one-on-one in real time (versus, self-directed programs, or passive online programs that have a student watch a video) via headset and interact with the course material and each other via a shared computer screen and an electronic writing tablet. Your Ivy West tutor works with you one-on one, sees exactly what you see, controls the lesson content that appears on the screen and can adjust the content or pace of lessons based on your learning speed.

Ivy West SAT Essentials - 6 lessons

Who it's designed for:
Students who have limited time to prepare before their test date, but need instruction in all three subsections of the SAT- Math, Critical Reading, and Writing. This 6 lesson package features two lessons devoted to each portion of the SAT, using Ivy West's proprietary PrepMap Assessment™ to assist our instructors in determining which areas of the course book will be most relevant.