Review
If there is one word I have to describe John Baylor Test Prep it would be this: engaging. That’s a high compliment for an online test-prep program, of which I have tried several. When it comes to preparing for the ACT or SAT, test prep programs usually rank on a scale from dull to mind-numbing. However, when reviewing this resource with my brother (a high school junior preparing for the ACT), we found John Baylor Test Prep to be more akin to a fitness coach than ACT instructor in the positive, build-you-up-while-pushing-you-forward way he engaged his audience.
The program is an online series of twelve 45-minute videos for the ACT and/or ten 45-minute videos for the SAT. There are self-print materials that come with the program, including three full-length practice tests for each exam. Additionally, every Thursday and Friday before an actual ACT test date you have access to live online help from John Baylor himself. You can choose to have access to the information for either the ACT or SAT/PSAT for a single test date ($199) or for a whole year ($249). Access to the information for both tests for a year costs $399. This is expensive, but when compared to the cost of other online test prep programs or personal tutoring it is actually relatively low. The John Baylor Test Prep program has seen average ACT score increases of 2.2 points, and average SAT score increases of 50-125 points.
The biggest drawback we found to John Baylor Test Prep was the speed. This is another place where the fitness coach analogy comes in, as John Baylor barely gives you enough time to catch your breath from one concept before advancing to the next problem. This took some getting used to, but before long we found ourselves keeping track with him, and the speed ultimately ended up adding to the sense of enthusiasm. Of course, you can always watch the video again if you miss something. The material is challenging enough to engage even the brightest test takers, but may take time for some students to catch on to the speed of the course.
One of the advantages we particularly loved was the way John Baylor helps you understand the individual subjects better, not just prepare for the ACT or SAT. The math and English advice actually made some concepts click for my brother in ways traditional curriculum hadn’t, expanding the breadth and usefulness of this program. We actually had the whole family sitting around at times, benefiting from John Baylor’s presentations! I feel other families might have a similar experience, and find John Baylor Test Prep to be an engaging, fresh alternative to the traditional approaches to ACT and SAT preparation.
About the Reviewer
John Baylor graduated from Middlesex School and Stanford University. Over nearly twenty years, John Baylor Test Prep has prepared thousands of students in Nebraska for the ACT and SAT. Hundreds of students each year use JBTP’s ACT and SAT Prep courses online at home to increase their scores. The same online versions of JBTP’s ACT and SAT Prep courses are used by more than 200 high schools nationwide to improve their entire high school’s average scores.
John Baylor Test Prep is the in-person and on-line ACT® Prep course that boosts ACT scores an average of more than two points following your first JBTP ACT® Prep course- more on later ACT® tests. The JBTP online SAT/PSAT course increases scores on average 50-125 points per SAT section. The on-line partner for the college-focused school and student, JBTP is not only ACT® Prep, but also SAT/PSAT Prep and College Counseling. Actually have fun preparing for the ACT® and SAT- and more fun when you see your new scores. Get into the Best College at the Lowest Cost with JBTP.
