PSAT vs. SAT!

Test Preparation SAT Preparation
1

<p>Hello!</p>

<p>I am studying for the PSAT, (as a sophomore -- I know it won't count) because it's great prep for the SAT and it's easier to study for! (no essay practice and much shorter practice tests, and the prep books aren't HALF as big as SAT books.)</p>

<p>so I am wondering, what is the exact difference between the 2?</p>

<p>I know that
-SAT is longer and has an essay. duh
-SAT has harder math... goes into Alg 2 a little right?</p>

<p>is that it? are the writing and reading sections the same!? </p>

<p>thanks!</p>

<p>also, I would like to know how well Kaplan is as a prep company for SAT/PSAT. I know they are a great company (hence why I chose them over barrons, and princeton) but I heard that they don't use REAL questions. I heard that only collegeboard has the REAL questions, so should I get their book? Bleh </p>

<p>Thanks</p>

2

<p>Read the sticky:<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/sat-preparation/763933-new-feature-best-sat-prep-forum-faqs-please-read-before-posting.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/sat-preparation/763933-new-feature-best-sat-prep-forum-faqs-please-read-before-posting.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>It’s a given fact (at least on CC) that you should only use College Board materials since they are the makers of the real tests. It’s common sense. Also, I’ve heard bad things about test prep companies in general. Study by yourself using the Xiggi method, there isn’t much that test prep companies will “teach” you.</p>

3

<p>Kaplan has taught me a lot… it’s not true to say that test prep companies don’t teach anything.</p>

<p>I’ve talked this thing (kaplan generated tests, how reliable they are) over with other people and I’m convinced that they are fine.</p>

4

<p>^What’s your score?</p>

5

<p>prep companies stop being helpful around the 1800 mark. so unless you’re below that, i wouldn’t recommend wasting your money on kaplans</p>

6

<p>my diagnostic score was 197, (CR - 70, M - 70, W - 57)</p>

<p>and the writing stuff which I am studying brought me up to high 600’s almost 700’s.</p>

<p>really test prep companies give great review of what you need to study. Unless if I memorize every single writing rule, math rule, and vocabulary word THEN I’ll stop using kaplan and just take practice test after practice test.</p>

7

<p>Wait, so first you ask our opinion, then tell us how great Kaplan is? </p>

<p>Few points:

  1. Kaplan sucks.
  2. You won’t get anywhere near 2100+ using just Kaplan’s
  3. Kaplan is incredibly overpriced
  4. Kaplan sucks.</p>
8

<p>sorry, but as I was waiting for some responses, I talked to some people and now I’m convinced that my kaplan, and all other test prep books, is not useless.</p>

9

<p>Suit yourself. It’s your SAT score.</p>

10

<p>hey Bigb14,</p>

<p>Just wondering, why are you so anti-Kaplan? They aren’t overpriced… I got my PSAT book for like 12$. so why does it suck?</p>

11

<p>It’s overpriced because I wouldn’t use it if somebody paid me to. Why does it suck? Because it doesn’t give you any useful information, but will actually hinder your quest for a better score. Because their practice tests are horrible, not standardized, and misleading. Because people listen to n00bs like you with 1950s instead of experienced people with 2300+. </p>

<p>That’s why.</p>

12

<p>No useful information? It gives all the rules of grammar and math, as long as a 40 page word list… not to mention helpful tippers/advice and useful information for people who aren’t acquainted to the SAT.</p>

<p>The practice tests look identical to the real PSAT which comes to no surprise since they are a large company solely based on the test, which is completely predictable in its content.</p>

<p>sorry, I did not mean this to be an argument on Kaplan vs. whatever, I just wanted to see if your argument would actually convince me to not use my Kaplan, which it did not.</p>

13

<p>Clearly you’re an expert and need no advice.</p>

14

<p>Like I said, suit yourself. I don’t actually care, seeing as I’ve already got my 2330. Just don’t blame me when you score a 2380 on a Kaplan test and get a 1820 on your SAT.</p>

15

<p>^Kaplan also has a horrible word hit ratio. Look at Dark Knight’s Threads. If you want to use a Source book to improve conceptually, I recommend Rocket Review and Grubers. BUT DON’T USE KAPLAN. Take it from the 2200+ scorers: me, bigb14 and many others for sure</p>