While anecdotes abound about individuals who recorded huge gains after taking a test prep course, the researchers said that studies to measure score improvements must take into account gains made by students who do not take such courses and other variables. A free preparation program also is sweeping the county' s public schools. The course has been offered for five years in a variety of formats, including summer sessions, on Saturdays, after school, as elective classes or as a supplement within regular high school math and English classes. Some schools cover some costs for students. Tierney uses past SAT exams as his practice tests and gives every test taker an analysis of his or her score that pinpoints areas for improvement.
Teachers receive training and sometimes incorporate the lessons into regular classes.
The county Office of Education has money to expand the SAT preparation program to other schools, Tierney said. If a high school does not offer a course, parents should lobby the principal to add one, he said. At Mar Vista High School in Imperial Beach, teacher Alice Esparza does test preparation every Monday with her students in Advancement Via Individual Determination. AVID is a college prep course that reaches out primarily to minority students from low-income families. Accumulating general knowledge is important, Kina said, but on test day, the key is to manage time well.