Princeton Review: Unsatisfactory

<p>The Princeton Review's guide "Cracking the ACT" is a poor example of a practice ACT book. I just completed a full practice test and found it to be much harder than the real ACT. Many of the questions were ambiguous and/or relied on information not provided in the passage / prompt. I struggled on sections that were usually my strengths and was frustrated by how unlike the real test this practice exam felt. I had a similar experience with Princeton Review's SAT prep book - the tests were much too difficult. Plus, I dislike Princeton Review's approach to learning how to take the standardized tests. They attempt to squeeze answers out by identifying often unreliable patterns in the test questions, rather than teaching students how to actually understand the questions. Don't buy anything from Princeton Review. It's a waste of time and money.</p>

<p>no, the they make it harder for a reason: so that u do better on the actual test. when u learn harder material and take harder tests, you are bound to do better on the actual thing.</p>

<p>I find the princeton reviews very helpful. By practicing harder questions, you are more prepared and when the real SAT comes, you'll be ready.</p>

<p>actually I found the books to be helpful. The clinics on the other hard were ultra boring and slow (like school I guess).</p>

<p>I heard they were trying to make an honors class....that would be sweet.</p>

<p>What are some examples of questions you thought were unrepresentative of the ACT? I have the book, so if you just want to mention page numbers or something that's fine.</p>

<p>princeton review books are good for some subjects.....but not for AP classes etc... because it does not provide info......
I recommend Barrons</p>

<p>I think PR definitely works for AP...I used it to prepare in a week (never having taken a class) for AP US Government; it covered everything that was on the test, and I got a 5. The Barron's was 4x as long, I never would have been able to finish, and it seemed much more dull as well. I do not recommend barrons</p>

<p>I totally disagree, Cavalier. PR's ACT book is the best one, after the official one, of course. I liked their SAT book as well, but the ACT one is tops.</p>