<p>So I've been spending quite a bit of time here on CC this long weekend, and I've officially started freaking out about the college process.
So I'm going to Border's tomorrow to buy a book so I can start studying for this (even though my guidance counselor suggests we Juniors wait 'til June to take it).
I got a 201 on the PSAT (I'm from Mass. so I guess there's no chance of National Merit) by using Princeton Review, of which I'm a pretty big fan.
PSAT breakdown: CR 65, M 64, WS 72</p>
<p>I'm starting to look into BC, so I need to do super well on the SAT.</p>
<p>And my parents are still fostering the misconception that I'll just naturally get a perfect score on the SAT because I'm third in my class. So prep courses are pretty much out of the question (Are they any more worth it than a good prep book?).</p>
<p>I'm genuinely nervous right now. What prep book is best?</p>
<p>Might want to get a few. RocketReview is good for realizing how careless you can be on math no matter how good you are at math, Barron's How to Prepare for SAT is quite comprehensive, and the Collegeboard StudyGuide for the SAT(aka the Blue Book) has the best practice tests.</p>
<p>CB definitely. I prefer PR over Barron's. It worked for you for PSAT, so I'd stick with it. And being 3rd in class doesn't guarantee a perfect score, sorry to tell the folks!</p>
<p>Yeah, I spent half the night last night explaining that to my mother.
And I'll definitely look into PR. The problem is I'm really motivated to study right now, but I'm probably not taking the test 'til June (and I have some APs and SAT IIs to get through first).
We'll see what transpires.
But thanks for the advice everyone :)</p>
<p>an underrated recommendation: 'SAT I for dummies' by Woods.</p>
<p>If you can get above the sheer embarrassment of buying a "For Dummies" book its actually a pretty amazing source. I really only needed hardcore preparation for Maths and was satisfied. We'll see in two days if it covered everything it needed. :D</p>
<p>Everyone says Rocket Review but I never used it.</p>
<p>Here's my list:</p>
<p>Official SAT Study Guide for the practice tests.
Barron's 2400 for squeezing out those last few hundred points (DO NOT USE BARRON'S PRACTICE TESTS).
I know people here at CC denounce unofficial practice tests but I can tell you that Princeton Review and Kaplan will help if you run out of practice tests.
Up Your Score has a great guide for essays and guessing.</p>
<p>I'll definitely look further into these additional options!
...and I totally read 50 pages straight of RR review last night. Got through all the tutorials... I think I should start pacing myself if I'm not taking the real thing 'til June...</p>
<p>First of all, do your book shopping online; sites like amazon.com offer much lower prices.</p>
<p>I don't know why nobody has mentioned this, but I find the "unofficial guide to the SAT" (or whatever it's called), the one that is meant to be used with the blue book, to be exceptional. If you wanna start with a manageable guide, start with that one. </p>
<p>Then when you get pretty accustomed to the SAT, use Barron's 2400 book to give you the extra edge. </p>
<p>That's pretty much all I suggest you do, other than reading constantly and memorizing vocabs. If you still need help on certain section, borrow the other guides from your library, or better yet buy them from your library BOOK SALE (you'll be surprised by what kinds of treasure that can come by in these sales, with cheap price tags too).</p>