<p>I have tryed to ignore the error of Kaplan's ways for sentimental reasons (It was the first prep book I have ever owned). After taking numerous real tests for the SAT and ACT, the Kaplan imitations are nothing short of completely inaccurate. Errors plague most tests, and the questions are very dissimilar. Except for a student scoring in the 50%ile on tests, the concept reviews are worthless.</p>
<p>So I warn you, avoid Kaplan when preparing for these tests, and buy the official tests instead, and if that isnt enough, buy some other brand or find someone who has some old released tests.</p>
<p>I'm using Kaplan to prep for SATII, and used Kaplan along with Zumdahl to prep for the AP exam. I'm sure I got a 5 with it :P</p>
<p>Also, Kaplan was the only resource I had for Economics and I learned the Micro material in one night using Kaplan only. I think I got a 5 on that as well.</p>
<p>Sorry if any arrogance is showing through in this post. I'm only trying to defend Kaplan.</p>
<p>kaplan seemed too easy to me...I have the barron's book for the verbal section an the sat...and i quite like it....but I don't know if for the subject tests is as good as the one I own....many say barron's books are to difficult to comprehend and this kind of stuff...waht do you think?
anyway....I won't use kaplan any more...that's definetly sure!</p>
<p>All the people I know who have used Kaplan books have had bad things to say about the book. I used it for the SAT I and II and I have to say I'm disappointed with the book as well. Right now I use sparknotes, which is really helpful. But Kaplan...ugh...</p>
<p>I have to disagree. While some kaplan books are just plain bad, there are many that are great. The practice is realistic (in those books) and there is alot of it with great explinations and review. My score has risin at least 60 points with every kaplan book I have boughten (for only one book 60, for the others, over 100). There are errors, but if you get past them, Kaplan can be helpful.</p>
<p>I used Kaplan for US History and Chem, and found them to be great. They had questions slightly more difficult than the real exams (I score low 700's on both with practice tests from Kaplan - 760 US 800 Chem on the real thing.) I am also using Kaplan 2400 and Critical Reading to prep for my SAT retake in June.</p>
<p>If you are taking the SAT II in US History, i must HEAVILY ADVISE AGAINST purchasing the Barron's book.</p>
<p>On the first Barron's practice test, I scored a 520. On the real SAT II, I scored a 760. The Barron's practice tests are NOTHING like the real SAT II - not even CLOSE.</p>
<p>The Kaplan SAT II U.S. History book is the best I have out of Sparknotes and Barrons. I know the tests are harder, too, I took 3 tests and scored about 720-760, but I got 780 on the test.... Then again, I took USAP.</p>
<p>the PSAT Kaplan one was not very good. I only glanced at the AP Chem one but the structure of the quesitons seemed nothing like the AP's. I find PR's to be most similar, Barron's to overprepare you.</p>
<p>Kaplan practice exams for the new sat are easy. I wa scoring consistent 2100s with the book but managed a 2010 on the real thing. However, this could be just because of their grading.</p>
<p>I would not recommend the Kaplan book for the new SAT. The practice exams are much easier than the real thing. I do use the SAT 2400 book (even though it is rife with errors), and the Kaplan Math Workbook is not bad. Stay away from the Writing and Critical Reading Workbooks; they are too easy.</p>