Students and parents often ask which of my SAT prep options is best: private tutoring or classes. Sometimes I have an answer readily available. For example, I recommend individual tutoring to students who have irregular weekly schedules; they need greater flexibility than regularly scheduled SAT class sessions would allow. However, sometimes I need to give more information to help a family make the best decision.
Benefits and Drawbacks of Private SAT Tutoring
The greatest benefit of private tutoring is the individual attention that a student receives. Instead of the teacher’s attention being divided among students (eight at my academy, but up to 30 elsewhere), it is focused on one student. With individual tutoring, I can quickly discern a student’s strengths and weaknesses and focus only on issues that are relevant to their reaching maximum potential.
However, abundant individual attention can also be a drawback. Some students feel as if “there is no place to hide.” They might also feel as if too much responsibility is placed upon them; they cannot simply show up and expect to “coast.” In other words, if a student neglects to complete their assignments one week, then the lack of preparation can make it difficult to have an efficient one-on-one meeting.
As a general rule, private tutoring is more demanding than class tutoring. Students for private tutoring see me only once per week, so in a sense they are combining a week’s worth of classes into one intensive session. It’s especially important that they make the most of each meeting. That’s why I require a consultation before I accept any new individual tutoring students.
Benefits and Drawbacks of the SAT Class Format
A small SAT class is more affordable than individual tutoring. It’s also the better option for a few types of students. First, for students who have not previously prepared for the SAT, a class would provide a broad overview of the various question types and how to approach them. Second, students who aren’t consistently diligent with their assignments can benefit more from a class than from private tutoring. That’s because even when their assignments are only borderline complete, they can still benefit from hearing answers to their peers’ questions. Third, some students feel a sense of solidarity by joining a class. The social aspect of learning helps them look forward to attending classes.
That said, students who benefit the most from an SAT class format are the ones whose abilities are consistent with class norms. Students who perform far below the class average often feel overwhelmed and marginalized. Students who score significantly higher than the class average often find the lectures boring and do not feel challenged.
Another possible drawback of a class compared with individual tutoring is that it’s less focused. That is, with more students there are more issues – and that means less time can be devoted to each issue. The instructor must balance the needs of each individual student with those of the class as a whole.
Consider all the Answer Choices
When deciding between individual tutoring and classes, remember a cardinal rule of test taking: consider all the answer choices. Whether a student is better off in a class or with individual tutoring is a complex question. Answering it thoughtfully requires considering many factors such as the student’s personality, his or her initial SAT score, and his or her ability to work independently. Rather than simply choosing by cost or convenience alone, it is best to consider the issues discussed above.
