<p>I noticed recently that the 2012 Princeton Review is the same as the previous edition:same sample tests! :confused: What are the best books for your kids and why?</p>
<p>After she did well on the PSAT sophomore year, my D prepped a bit for the junior PSAT using the official book of practice SAT tests. She took the SAT in October a week before the PSAT. Did well on both.</p>
<p>Iām not sure why a PSAT prep book would have to be updated annually"? The test doesnāt change much.</p>
<p>What mamabear saidāget the Official Guide to the SAT. The questions are the same type as the PSAT. The tests are longer, and there is an essay included + a few slightly harder math questions. (My kids prepped hard for PSAT using the SAT book, but skipping the essay, then took January SAT after working on the essay and a few more practice tests over Xmas break. . .)</p>
<p>If youāre specifically looking for more sample PSAT tests, I like Kaplan. Barrons has one, too. (Not quite as good, but more practice.) Iāve used the Kaplan PSAT, SAT and ACT in addition to the Official/Real books. I think Kaplan has good, clear explanations and scores are comparable to the Official scores.</p>
<p>How close is your kid to your stateās NMSF cut-off for this past year? If he/she has taken a sophomore PSAT, or has tried the exams in the prep book, and isnāt already scoring something pretty close to the cut-off, your kid may be best off skipping the PSAT and going straight to the ACT or SAT. If your kid would be eligible for National Hispanic or National Achievement, the cut-offs are a bit lower, so find out those numbers as well.</p>
<p>The Golden Rule for SAT/PSAT prep is that you ONLY us CB practice tests because these are actual tests that were used in the past. Other books are fine for strategies, but for practice questions, I recommend using the Blue Book (SAT Official Guide) along with their online or a book of solutions, as itās important to understand why you missed a question. The only differences between the PSAT and SAT are length, no essay and easier math. </p>
<p>The CB used to sell previous PSAT tests, but Iām not seeing them on their website.</p>
<p>Thanks to all of you for your replies! My son just completed his freshman year and has the option to take the PSAT next year purely as practice. While he has done reasonably well on some practice tests, there is no substitute for the real thingā¦thatās why I liked Princeton Review, until I learned that the practice tests had not changed between 2007 (when D was preparing) and last year when I picked up a newer edition.</p>
<p>I appreciate atomomās suggestion about using the Official Guide----especially because it is cost effective as a bonus!</p>
<p>Thereās no reason to prep for a sophomore PSAT - let him take it cold and see how he does. The practice test booklet that comes when you sign up is really all you need.</p>
<p>Our kids HS uses the official SAT tests as the text for its PSAT prep class and gets the mist NMF students in the state. Both our kids used it and did well on the official PSAT and SAT exams.</p>
<p>Agree with mamabear that thereās no need to do serious test prep for the sophomore PSAT. Wait and see how he scores. If heās within striking range of qualifying for National Merit (based on cutoff scores in your state) then itās definitely worthwhile for him to prep for the test in 11th grade, though the amount of prepping is going to vary depending on your kid. D1ās sophomore PSAT score showed she was a contender; she went through a few sample tests starting a month or so before the junior year PSAT and blew it away. D2 is not a strong test taker, so the PSAT sittings for her were practice without any added stress about it being a high stakes test. </p>
<p>Search for the so-called āXiggiā method for studying for the SAT/ACT in the SAT/ACT forum. Xiggiās a long-time poster, and his method for studying for the test works really well for self-motivated students (this is what D1 used).</p>