Score Builder for the SAT, ACT, and PSAT Reviewer's Comments

All colleges either require an ACT or SAT score for incoming freshman, and PSAT scores are used to qualify students for the National Merit Scholarship and Compton's Learning: Score Builder for the SAT, ACT, and PSAT covers every subject of these tests. This program offers tests, activities and lessons to help students prepare, the software is easy to navigate and even includes an arcade to entertain and teach.

This software placed behind Kaplan and WordSmart because although it covers every subject extensively, it does not include some extra features like flashcards and answer explanations.

Ease of Use:  

When the program starts, a lobby appears with a computer in one corner, a testing booth in another and an arcade in the next room. After you login to the computer a main menu pops up with options, or you can go straight to a game or test. This layout was easy to use but some of the functions took a long time to load and this lowered its score in this area.

Feature Set:  

Through the animated lobby computer you can choose from six options including dictionary reference, lessons, study plan, college information, credits and web links. Besides the computer options, you can also go through the testing booth to take a full-length sample test or play a driving word game. If you want to get a sense of what the live test feels like this software also comes with a practice test booklet, with answers in the back.

This program lacks a useful feature, the answer explanations, which explain right or wrong answers. Answer explanations prove helpful, especially in mathematics, they help you understand why you answered a question incorrectly, so you can avoid the same mistake on the real test. The software also does not include practice tests in specific areas or a flashcard feature.

Download Process:  

Downloading Compton's Learning is easy and quick, just put in the cd, click a couple buttons and you are ready to go. After the program installs, you can add a user name and it will track your progress and study plans.

Help/Support:  

Score Builder offers technical support through telephone, fax and email. The program also includes a tutorial and a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).

Content Rating:  

Score Builder includes all of the subjects covered in the SAT, ACT and PSAT including English, math and science. Test taking strategies and hints offered proved to be useful and applicable to test preparation.

Effectiveness:  

Compton's Learning can prepare you in every way for the tests. With this product, it's possible that anyone could increase their scores as well as learn useful skills to help them in their current course work.

Summary:  

Compton's Learning Score Builder provides a simple and effective learning tool. The layout is intuitive to navigate and the features can be found with ease.

Although this product is comprehensive and efficient, is does not contain many of the features that higher rated products, like Kaplan or WordSmart provide.