<p>Which is the best SAT prep book? I've tried College Board's, which I like a lot (chiefly because of the accurate practice tests), and Kaplan's Practice Tests, which I hated (unrealistic tests).</p>
<p>What I'm looking for:
- Good review of ALL the math you need to know
- Grammatical rules and other useful things for the Writing section
- Strategies/tips for the essay
- Strategies for CR (will use other books for hot words)
- Accurate practice tests (doesn't have to have practice tests, but a HUGE plus. However, a HUGE minus if they aren't realistic)</p>
<p>Actually CB’s SAT book isn’t very good at strategies…even though it includes a lot of tests. Both Kaplan and Princeton Review offers some great strategies inside. Barron’s is mostly good at APs and SAT II prep but not SAT I. Hope this helps! :)</p>
<p>Well, no third-party book will have as accurate practice tests as the CollegeBoard book. </p>
<p>I would recommend using a third-party book for covering the syllabus, learning the techniques and strategies. Once you complete the syllabus from this book, use the Official Study Guide’s 10 Practice Tests for assessing your performance.</p>
<p>I used Kaplan’s Premier Live Program and loved it. The book had a great presentation, very useful strategies and hints along with good practice at the end of each chapter. Their online program was very good too. You can make use of the short summary videos, sample essays, monthly practice tests etc.</p>
<p>I used this plan and it worked wonders for me. I got 2280 on my 1st attempt at the SAT.</p>
<p>Vocab: Direct Hits (Both Editions), PR Hit Parade, Rocket Review “Hot List”
Math: Grubers (Just use the mat section and throw the other part of the book away, literally)
Essay Tips: Grammatix (I’m not sure if it exists anymore!)
CR: Rocket Review and Grammatix are pretty good books!</p>
<p>theres a great thread that goes in detail about this topic. but alot depends on where your starting and what ur aiming for. For instance Gruber’s math is supposed to be very good, and i got it, but found it to be WAYYY to simple and basic. </p>
<p>Ill tell u what i did though anyway, which so far has improved me about 200 pnts to a 2000ish. </p>
<p>no tutor program, but lots of books: </p>
<p>-kaplan sat study guide 2011- great math techniques.
-CB book , of course, but with the TUtor TEd solution manual (works wonders for Writing in particular; a must).
-Princeton Review 11 tests (the more tests, the better. although writing is way too hard, rest seems to be pretty acurate.)
-DIrect Hits. i got both volumes, but still on the first. not sooo neccesary unless rlly into pop culture, movies etc, if ur motivated a smallish wordlist from a reliable source should do.
-PR math workout. (not half way throuhg. cant rlly recommend)</p>
<p>These are the books that helped me improve 500+ points to 2290. I didn’t find overall practice books as helpful as more specialized books, so here’s the list I used.</p>
<p>Reading: Only CB material
Math: 5 SAT math practice tests, grubers
Writing: 5 sat writing practice tests, improve essay in 3 min. a day
Vocab: direct hits, 10 sat vocabulary tests</p>