Study: S.A.T. Prep Doesn't Help Much

Americans spend millions of dollars each year on S.A.T. preparation courses offered by companies that promise college-bound students significantly higher scores. But according to an independent study published by Chance Magazine, such classes only resulted in relatively small increases.

Seppy Basili, the vice president of Kaplan Test Prep which specializes in college prep courses, and Gaston Caperton, the president of the College Board (and former governor of West Virginia) which administers the S.A.T.s, spoke with CBS News Early Show Co-Anchor Jane Clayson about the issue of test preparation.

The study shows that on average students only gain 20 points when they take prep courses. But Basili points out that there are many different kinds of test prep courses.

"Courses like Kaplan, which are comprehensive courses, have been shown to have much larger gains for students." said Basili. "There are a number of issues and problems with the study."

"Ninety-seven percent of students are preparing for the S.A.T. in one way or another," said Basili. "Courses like ours, which cost $800, typically improve the scores by 120 points."

However, Caperton said other reports basically corroborate the new report.

"We've had seven other reports come out, reports that are done by academics who really have statistical backgrounds. It shows the improvement …of about 20 to 40 points," he said.

Many of these courses cost as much as several thousand dollars. Is it worth it?

Caperton doesn't think students should enroll in these prep courses.

"I think there's been way too much hype and belief that study like this can mean so much. Such big scores, I don't really quite believe that. The statistics certainly show it doesn't," Caperton said.

"We absolutely do think everyone should be preparing for the test," he points out. But there are a variety of ways students can prepare.

"There's a lot of free material, a lot of low-cost materials that give a student an opportunity," said Caperton.

Is there still a disadvantage for students who can't afford the prep classes?

Caperton says the state of California "is actually subsidizing courses for low-income students. We'll be working with thousands of students throughout the states."

There's talk of the eliminating the S.A.T.s in the admission process for getting into college. Not surprisingly, Mr. Basili thinks "the S.A.T.'s are a valuable and important tool in looking at students and comparing them. We should be looking at all the other issues that effect low-income students, the quality of education, the curriculum they're taking and the quality of teachers they're working with."

On the issue of improving education, Caperton and Basili are in agreement.

"The question is not about tutoring. The question is, when are we going to make our schools equal in America so all students ave an opportunity to maximize their human potential," asked Caperton. "The differential in scores-- quite simply they aren't given the education they need to compete in the society."

Caperton advises students not to take the test without practicing.

"There's more and more free, low-cost opportunities to do that, which equals it out," he said.

"We have to remember, the stakes are pretty high. Harvard could fill its class four times over with equally qualified candidates."

"But don't be frantic about it," he said. "It's only a part of the application process."

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