<p>I am about to order an SAT prep book and am limited to ordering only one. I just recently begun studying for the exam and am really a medicore test taker. I scored a 176 on the PSAT - but i am confident that i was not taking the test under the best circumstances at teh time and i can do WAYYY better. </p>
<p>I am going to be a junior...which is better for an average test taker who is looking for major improvement and more overview of topics?</p>
<p>I currently have the SAT Barron's 2400. I feel like this book is for people running a solid high 1900's and 2000's. </p>
<p>You should get Rocket Review, although I never used that book before.</p>
<p>I own both. I don't particularly like the methods in RR. 3 things that sums up the critical reading portion:
1) take each question literally
2) slow through questions, fast through passage
3) Listen to 1) and 2) </p>
<p>Barron's 2400 is a much better choice overall (very in-depth, but again, aimed towards the ambitious).</p>
<p>Don't know about either of those books, but last weekend I bought my son the Barrons study guide for the MathII subject test, and it was the most poorly edited book I've ever seen. Not only were there typos, but the answer key was wrong AND all the bubble sheets had only four bubble spaces when there are five choices. I'll never buy another Barrons book again.</p>
<p>^ Try to ignore the typos although it does give a bad appearance for the book.</p>
<p>The lessons in Barrons, on the other hand, are amazing. If your son can understand the lessons in the beginning of the book, he's probably going to get at least a 750 on the test. Its massive over-preparation, but it works.</p>
<p>I would suggest the normal barron's first. Barron's books typically go far and beyond what the test requires, and from what I've read in Barron's 2400, it really is for just the final polishing up on the most difficult questions. In fact, it refers you to the normal Barron's book quite often. This is what I think would be best. First, use the Barron's. If you improve by at least 200 points, then try Barron's 2400.</p>