Private Tutor - WRITING - 5-Hour Interactive 2013 SAT Prep Course - DVDs & Book
Students can follow Amy Lucas as she teaches them about the 19 most common grammar errors that are made in the Writing section of the SAT. She claims that those who avoid these mistakes will receive a perfect score on that part of the exam. The accompanying workbook very closely follows the material presented on the DVDs. There is a lecture, followed with a practice drill and a review. Different question types are presented, and special techniques for answering them are discussed. Lucas runs through each section very quickly, but she has an expressive style that should hold the attention of students. The DVDs are divided into seven chapters: sentence corrections, parts of speech, verb errors, pronoun errors, grammar rules, paragraph improvement, and essay writing. The instructor offers simple tips such as avoid 'being' and 'having' and always go for 'simple and concise.' All incorrect responses are explained clearly. There are easy-to-follow tips for writing the essay as well as sample essays that received high and low scores. Students looking for a comprehensive review of the Writing portion of the SAT will find this program very helpful, especially since they can select specific areas in which they need improvement. --School Library JournalIn 2005, the College Board added a writing component to the SAT, the standardized test used by most colleges and universities in the admissions process. This set of two DVDs and a workbook walks the viewer through the writing component of the SAT and offers advice on how to approach the test. Narrator and tutor Amy Lucas is attractive and vivacious. Although the content is not particularly exciting, her delivery makes the videos easy to watch. Lucas clearly states that she is coaching viewers on test-taking strategies, not teaching them general rules of grammar. Her examples are lucid, and the suggestions consistent with those offered by other standardized test guides. The accompanying workbook reinforces the discs and provides a number of examples and drills. Lucas's credentials include work with test preparation companies, and she seems familiar with the kinds of questions used in the SAT. VERDICT: Watching these DVDs and completing the workbook will not make the viewer a great writer, but the processes will help a student gain confidence in the writing skills required by the SAT. --Library JournalThe sample readings were excellent... the one on video games was particularly good... the answer explanations are great and are key to a student's success. If they can understand their error it will help immensely. --Kevin Murchie, teacher - James A. Garfield Senior High School (LAUSD)