<p>I heard Barron's practice tests were harder, so in that case, what would your score in the blue book be if your Barron's diagnostic test is 450? </p>
<p>Also, does Barron's book have a heavier emphasis on vocabulary than the blue book? </p>
<p>feel free to comment anything that's relevant. I want to know if Barron's books are liable. I've used them for quite a while.</p>
<p>They key to understanding difficult is in realizing that the results of any standardized test is scaled (ETS calls it “equating”). That means they determine the score by looking at the results of all the people who took it. Simply put, if any test was easier than the other, they adjust the scales so they always get the same distribution. </p>
<p>Any practice test from barrons cant be accurately scaled because it was never given to a large audience. The blue book is the only source that gives you that. </p>
<p>That being said I dont think their is a huge difference between all these tests. If you want a good predictor of your score, use blue book. If you just want a bunch of questions to study with barrons is fine.</p>
<p>I found Blue Book was more helpful and Barron’s had a heavier emphasis on vocabulary.</p>
<p>blue book is definitely the preferred prep book for the SAT. no question about it.</p>
<p>do NOT use barron’s. i used it and got consistent 300s (yes, 300s) on the critical reading but a 720 on the real thing just from practicing with the blue book. DON’T USE BARRONS EVER. Your 450 could honestly be in the 600s or maybe even 700s.</p>
<p>barron’s has an okay amount of vocab but it doesn’t even compare to the blue book. the majority of vocab i’ve seen on tests has come from the blue book’s practice tests. when I took the test, i got every vocab question right and didn’t even do outside studying just because I used the blue book.</p>
<p>and that goes for ACT, too. I got a 13 composite on barron’s but got a 33 on the real thing lolol. never use those test-prep companies’ books over the offcial study guides 
good luck!</p>
<p>Blue book is quite an accurate measure imo…especially for Sat 2</p>
<p>The Collegeboard makes the SAT and the Blue Book. Barrons just makes their books. The Collegeboard books are great for practice and to predict your future score. Barron’s is great for practice, but relying on it as an indicator of future performance is folly.</p>
<p>Both books have tactics and strategies. Which one is better in this direction?</p>
<p>Apparently since this thread’s been revived…</p>
<p>Blue book. I hate Barron’s SAT with a passion, and I honestly don’t see the point of all those specific strategies. Just keep in mind the time limits.</p>
<p>I started using Barron’s and switched over to using the blue book and I preferred it.</p>