Kaplan Higher Score SAT, ACT & PSAT Deluxe 2003

Rating:
Summary: A Window XP User's Worst Nightmare!
Review: I bought this program two months before my scheduled SAT test date in May. At first, it worked pretty good. The intros were a little annoying, and the jokes were hardly funny, but I think it helped me learn more about the SAT and the program was customized to focus on my difficulties. So I give Kaplan 2 points for helping me with that.

HOWEVER, there is a big catch to this program, and I suggest all of you potential buyers take a close look at the fine print. THIS PROGRAM DOES NOT SUPPORT WINDOWS XP HOME EDITION. I am not quite sure about the professional edition, but it certainly does not work for my home edition of XP. I even checked the Kaplan website to see if it was XP compatible, and it said "Windows 95 or higher," so I figured it was okay. Well, after I was finished with the program and I already took my SAT, I uninstalled the program. BIG MISTAKE! Since then, I have not been able to run the program successfully. I even used the Program Compatibility Wizard to try to run the program in Windows 95, Windows Me/98, and Windows 2000, but it STILL did not work. I further called Kaplan support and they suggested the same thing and basically told me that it was too bad. BUYERS BEWARE! Support is terrible, and I believe this is one of the most important things in buying a software program. Especially a reference tool. I am sure Kaplan had very good intentions, but they obviously haven't considered us new XP users. There is no patch to fix this problem. Please reconsider, and search for a reference program that is certified to work with Windows XP.

P.S. - I just wrote the software manufacturer an email a few days ago regarding my program and here was his response:

"Thank you for contacting Encore Software's technical support department. Problem: Will Not Run On Win XP. Thank you for contacting Encore. We're sorry but this software is not 100% compatible with XP. The program was developed prior to XPs release to the market. XP has a different file structure and program requirements. Currently there are no patches or upgrades to accommodate these differences. However, XP has the Program Compatibility Wizard, which can help XP run programs developed under previous versions of Windows. To activate this: Click on Start, Go to: All Programs, Go to: Accessories, Select the Program Compatibility Wizard, Select for it to look into the CD drive, Choose for it to run in Windows 98/ME mode. Please Note: If the software has installed successfully you can right click on the icon and left click on properties. At the top right you will see a Compatibility tab. This will give you the option to run in 95, 98&NT mode, 256 colors, ME, etc. Another alternative would be to make a dual boot partition. This option allows you to have two operating systems on one hard drive. However, this should be done with the help and support of the correct Technical Support organization and set up for this option is beyond the scope of our services. Sincerely, Encore Software...

However, I followed the directions step by step and I did not receive any different results. So although the technical support was very curteous and friendly, it still didn't replace the... software that won't work on any of my computers. Please future buyers who are running an XP operating system - don't waste your money!

Rating:
Summary: Awesome! if you don't use Win XP
Review: This is a very good SAT/PSAT/ACT prep product. I bought it for my son, who is not fond of studying at all. Now my biggest problem is to try to get him to stop using this program. The great thing is that this program establishes a personalized study plan which lets you review and practice just your weak spots. It also includes tips, strategies, and do's and dont's on any of tests, as well as special games to help you study vocabulary words. Everything is presented in a fun and cartoonish way. There are some funny things such a pop quizzes in between lessons that ask you the most irrelevent questions possible. (How do you read the directions on the SAT?) Some added bonuses are a college admissions planner, as well as a basic college guide on the prep CDs. Unfortunately, the bad news is that if you have Windows XP, you cannot use the additional 3 cds which cover how to succeed in high school, how to pay for college, and Newsweek's guide to colleges. So Windows XP users will find the extra cds worthless. Overall, a good product which will certainly motivate your students and definitely keep them on for hours. I would say that if you don't have Windows XP, then it is a great buy!