"What SAT Physics and Math Level 2 books should I get?" SAT Subject Test book reviews

where can I find past papers for the Maths Level 2 test?

Hello,

I know it’s probably a very silly question but should I stop studying for Math II that Ill take on june if I got 740 from Barrons Diagnostic and studied 60 pages more on top of that? There’s little time left and I also got PR and Barrons books for chem and physics to study so trying to get some weight off of me.

Why, exactly, is the Barron’s Physics book listed as being so bad? Looking on Amazon, the Barron’s book has way more positive feedback than the Sparknotes one, and I can’t find any other sources that say that Barron’s book is ineffective. For the record I own both of those.

Hello pals,

As a current french undergraduate, I’m looking forward to transfer in the schools of the “US/UK/AUS/etc… system”.

So I’ve got to go through all those SAT tests.

Honestly, as I’ve already gone through 2 years of Engineering School I already know all the concerned concepts in every scientific field and I so need to prepare only to have a fresh mind on the problems the SAT tests are focussing on and for english vocabulary purposes.

I am so looking for the books which are reviewing all the topics of the SAT II Physics and Maths 2, and just some test examples to have an idea on how tests are looking like.

Following those criterias and your different advices guys, I am ending up with those bundles :

Physics :

For Contents Overall Review : Princeton Review (PR)
For Tests Simulation/Training : College Board Official Guide All Topics, Sparknotes (because free)

Maths :

For Contents Overall Review : Princeton Review (PR)
For Tests Simulation/Training : College Board Official Guide Maths Level 1 & 2, Sprknotes (because free)

=> Can anyone confirm me the relevance of this information ? (Because I need to get 800 !)

Otherwise, a few personal tips about test mentality and stress handling :

1 - Be careful with the "overprep", as sometimes being too much prepared makes you forget basical stuff.

It’s like at work, a barista that makes 2 chocolates although only one was ordered uses time and natural resources for nothing and might stress for nothing so might do the two cups less good than if he had put the same energy doing only one cup with a greater result.

=> The topics are seeable here by hitting the “Topics on the Test” key :

Physics : https://sat.collegeboard.org/practice/sat-subject-test-preparation/physics

Maths2 :https://sat.collegeboard.org/practice/sat-subject-test-preparation/mathematics-level-2

2 - Watch out the compulsive buying of the preparation books !

=> Don’t buy all the library just because you’re stressed up, Emotional marketing is the best marketing strategy.

3 - Train yourself to calm your brain down.

=> Imagine an office desk full of post-its, sheets & papers, pens everywhere etc… : the complete mess. Then imagine another office desk with only one white paper, and one pen, and one folder containing all the required topics nicely organised. Now compare your brain as it matches the first desk when stressed up, then your brain as it matches the second desk when calmed down. Which desk/brain would you like to have the test day ?

4 - Don't speak to anyone before the test, during the test day.

=> You know, those guys that are stressing up and are speaking to everyone because they are stressed up : “which book did you use ? oh yeah really ?? no, me I used another ! do you think it’s good ? oh no we are entering ! dammit I should have… oh and what if ?”
=> Those guys simply are ambulant keys to your personal internal “stress” door : don’t open it !!

Advices are advices as they are, follow them or not it’s up to you.

Thanks in advance guys !

@liability again, since this is still relevant I will answer. It is because barrons was horrible before the 2013 update. In that update, they added something like 300 pages. The book is phenomenal now, and if paired with Princeton review one is essentially guaranteed a 780-800 (there are a few minor differences in topics, and the extra tests from either book help)

Hello. i used the baron’s book for Math II. Was very intimidated when I took the diagnostic test and got a 640. But i put in a solid week of straight studying that book like it was my wife. Def was worth it. Went into the test and ended up getting a 780. I am taking it again to get that 800 though. One thing i can recommend is the use of the ti-89. If you know that calculator, use it. It will save you loads of time and prevent you from making stupid mistakes on the test. Just put in the work and it will show.

How many can I miss in sat 2 physics but keep a 800? Thanks

It’s been a while since someone has reviewed our calculator options… Are the N-spires still the best option for me? I’ve used a TI-84 Plus Silver for the past 4 years. Are there better calculators available? How much of a difference do they make?