<p>I have 3 SAT prep books</p>
<p>Barrons--> learn the vocab list if have time, Math and writing are awesome
PR--> Useless, I used it only for practice test
Collegeboard--> Must have</p>
<p>I think we can all agree the blue book is an absolute necessity--does anybody think otherwise?</p>
<p>The old red CB book can also be helpful. the blue book is a must.</p>
<p>Mike,</p>
<p>I can understand why you might have given lighter treatment to certain topics. I agree that some of those, such as the subjunctive, do not come up very often. Still, I think certain areas could have used a fuller treatment. Your discussion of "comparatives" in the Guide, for example, is a good one and probably covers most of the instances of the logical comparison error, but there are other forms of comparison that do not use the words (such as "than") that you featured in the illustrative sentences. Additionally, there is a difference between misplaced and dangling participles (I wasn't focusing on the terminology) that should be illustrated, since both forms of modifier errors occur on the exam.</p>
<p>But you already know my opinions, and I can respect that you made certain editing choices in writing your book. We should just leave it up to the reader to decide whether the omissions detract from the book.</p>
<p>You do raise an intriguing point in the last paragraph at the end. I don't see the SAT as a particularly inherently intellectually challenging pursuit, either, by the way. In fact, in my sessions, I convey the idea that the SAT is quite easy to beat (I was told never to call a hard question "easy," at the risk of disparaging a student, in my Kaplan training, I believe -- I break this rule all the time now), and it is. Nevertheless, I am, in part, training and honing my students' critical thinking and logic skills in my courses. Perhaps that is where my approach differs from yours. The SAT does test certain thinking skills, and it would be useful for the student to acquire or hone such skills to succeed on the exam; I don't think that this would be an "overly intelligent" or "collegiate" approach. I am teaching them how to beat the test, and if this involves their getting smarter, as terrible as that sounds, I will accept it! They could use those skills in school. :) Please don't think, however, that I am teaching "algebra" or "vocabulary" or "writing skills" to them for the sake of their learning those subjects or skills. (If they really want to learn those subjects, I have separate courses for them!) Everything a student and I do at the sessions is geared towards getting more points on the SAT. I cover only what the students need on the test (I never discuss logarithms, for instance, because that is NEVER necessary on the SAT and it will probably just confuse them), and if my approach seems unnecessarily lengthy, it is only because I want to be completely thorough and cover even minor topics that may only come up once in 10 exams (but that can still, in theory, appear). I'd rather give them a little more than what they need than a little less than what they need. :) And if they happen to learn a little more algebra or some writing skills on the way, I'll take that. (Some of my students also tell me that they do better in school after an SAT course.)</p>
<p>Finally, I expect and appreciate your responses to my commentary on your book. You are the author, so you will naturally want to respond to any criticism. I don't think you are overly defensive in doing that. I am more interested, however, in how <em>other</em> CCers, including xiggi, feel about the explication of the review and the additional comments. Do they confirm or contradict some of your own impressions, if you already have the book? Do they help in making your purchasing decision for either RocketReview or Grammatix? Additional comments would be welcome.</p>
<p>Well, all <em>other</em> CCers would agree that RR is not even close to superior than Grammatix. I can agree with Godot, however, that the Math section needs to be revised.</p>
<p>primitivefuture,</p>
<p>That's a very absolute statement. Do you really mean ALL, as in every single other CCer, would agree that RR is not better than Grammatix?? Did you really canvass all other people on this site, even the ones who don't post?? You know that a statement like that on an SAT RC question answer choice would probably be suspect, don't you? :)</p>
<p>Why don't we let other CCers speak for themselves? :)</p>
<p>No offense Godot, you know more about SATs than an average hs junior like me. However, the CCers did give their feed back on Grammatix, and they all liked it (those who bought the book). You and PeteSAT were skeptics. Also, for the MAY 2005 exam, Grammatix showed positive results! Read these threads :
<a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=66337%5B/url%5D">http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=66337</a>
<a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=53348&page=9&pp=20%5B/url%5D">http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=53348&page=9&pp=20</a></p>
<p>Godot, I would LOVE to hear a fellow CCer and how they performed well on the SAT using RR. To bad there arent any :)</p>
<p>primitivefuture,</p>
<p>I don't want to split hairs with you here, but I feel the need to point out some logic errors of yours. It may well be true that most people gave positive feedback on Grammatix; that still does not prove, however, that Grammatix is better than RocketReview, since the thread was not a comparison of the two books, nor does it show that ALL other CCers were happy with the book or think it's superior to RR (since many never even used the latter!). And just because no one has reported numbers using RR, again, it doesn't mean that the book is not good! If you really want to know, why don't you start a thread asking specifically that?? Finally, positive results using the Grammatix guide show that it can help students, but it does not show that it is superior to another book. For example, students have reported improvements with many other books, including Barron's and McGraw-Hill's. You are obviously a fan of Grammatix. What was your personal score improvement using it again?</p>
<p>"since the thread was not a comparison of the two books" -- Godot</p>
<p>I love the way you are tring to send mixed messages! A few pages before on this thread you said : " I would probably give Grammatix a 7.5 out of 10 overall and RocketReview an 8.5 out of 10." That looks like comparison to me :)</p>
<p>"nor does it show that ALL other CCers were happy with the book or think it's superior to RR (since many never even used the latter!)."</p>
<p>Its obviously looks the the majority ARE satisfied with the results. Why don we have a poll (like G. vs. hate G.) ? I am interested in the results!</p>
<p>"And just because no one has reported numbers using RR, again, it doesn't mean that the book is not good!"</p>
<p>It also doesnt prove that RR is superior to Grammatix. :)</p>
<p>"If you really want to know, why don't you start a thread asking specifically that??"</p>
<p>Because I wouldnt get alot of responses.lol</p>
<p>"For example, students have reported improvements with many other books, including Barron's and McGraw-Hill's."</p>
<p>that may be so, but its most likely that they took the test without preparing with grammatix, and so a comparision between G. and B. cannot be made.</p>
<p>"You are obviously a fan of Grammatix. What was your personal score improvement using it again?"</p>
<p>I took the ACT and got a 22 in April. I took the May SAT and scored 2040 on my first try (12 E !) Given that ACT and SAT are really similar in nature, I boosted my score by a big margin! I expect even better results on my retake in October. I am truly satisfied with grammatix.</p>
<p>Primitive Future, you really need to back off. All Godot wanted to do was offer "another view" of "Grammatix." It is essential to look at something from a fresh view, every now and than. It doesn't mean that either one of you is right or wrong, it's just pointless to bicker over such a trivial matter. If he recommends RR over Grammatix, than that is his opinion. It is up to others to decide what is good/best for him or her. Everyone in the world may think that a movie is wrong; you may feel it's the best movie you've ever seen. He didn't start this; he just offered his criticism. You're not a "spokesperson" as someone else said; stop acting like a 10 year old. I got a 2250 by using the CBoard Book. Different books suit different people.</p>
<p>primitivefuture,</p>
<p>By "the thread was not a comparison of the two books," I was referring to the <em>previous</em> threads to which you posted links, NOT this one. I'm not going to argue with you over the relative effectiveness of the two books. It's obvious you love Grammatix. I would love to hear, again, from others who have used either or both books and thoughts on my comments.</p>
<p>I have just finished RR and think it's way overrated. It didn't help me at all. Most of the book are just pretentious claims of what the book can get you. It offered absolutely NO practice problems whatsoever. I would NOT recommend it to anyone.</p>
<p>For the writing section, Barron's SAT II Writing is REALLY good (if you can still find it)</p>
<p>o i have that. it's very exhaustive yes. very very</p>
<p>Is the 4th edition one?</p>
<p>PROS and CONS</p>
<p>grammatix</p>
<p>Pros-</p>
<p>short and simple
the whole book is short and tips are easy to remember.</p>
<p>Cons- </p>
<p>Math is lacking, we all cant think like mike and get a 30 second solution.
It would of helped if he provided some concrete tip.</p>
<p>RR
pros- comprehensise
cons- too long, u can find the same info on other books</p>
<p>For me G-tix beats RR anyday, because I prefer simplicity.</p>
<p>I'm leaving tomorrow morning for the US and I only have a little over 50 bucks and Iam going to buy the blue book. I cand decide whether to buy rocket review or grammatix with the remainder of the money. I am going to barnes and noble and I can afford Rocket Review with rest of the money. I search everywhere online and I can't find Grammatix anywhere. Can someone tell me where I can buy the book in a bookstore</p>
<p>I believe Grammatix is sold through the website only, meaning they are not in bookstores</p>
<p>Since I can't get grammatix what would you suggest I buy. I was planning to get rocket review but I see you guys don't like it. What about Maximum SAT or BArron's. What is so horrible about Barron's</p>
<p>All I can say is that I just ordered the CB Blue Book, and...</p>
<p>Barron's SAT Math workbook is an absolute MUST! It goes over every single problem type and then drills the concepts in each section into your head so you know how to approach similar problems of the same type. Also, when learning new strategies/methods/equations the drills are not JUST problems specifically designed to reinforce concepts; they in fact GO BEYOND what is being reinforced and include previously learned concepts from previous sections in the book.</p>
<p>Barron's + CB Blue Book should be an amazing combination...(I'll have to wait and see since I don't have my Blue Book yet)</p>
<p>:D :D</p>