"What SAT prep book should I get?" SAT book reviews

<p>Anyone know how Hack the SAT: Strategies and Sneaky Shortcuts That Can Raise Your Score Hundreds of Points is?</p>

<p>OK, as I'm really bad at math, I'll go for the Grubers one.</p>

<p>Would you guys recommend Barrons or the CB blue book for the reading/writing sections?</p>

<p>I looked at the table of contents on amazon. It really didn't seem that impressive, since it only had 8 pages on CR passages, and then 6 on SC.</p>

<p>cb blue book is golden because it has practice tests; strategies and guide, its crap.</p>

<p>Barron's Critical Reading Workbook
[list=a]</p>

<p>[li] Best for: Improving Critical Reading and Additional Vocabulary. [/li][*] This book was very helpful, but the answers are to be debated. It made me question the answers I would normally pick.</p>

<p>^ true the CB...</p>

<p>I did a Kaplan test today and it was utter ********.</p>

<p>There was Sin and Cos on it for god's sakes!!! Then there were inverse functions and tan...etc...</p>

<p>I personally in all my SAT studying have never encountered trig on a test.</p>

<p>...lolilaughed trig on an sat?!? what were they thinking xD</p>

<p>did you use Kaplan 2400? I got it out of the library...but now i'm a bit wary...</p>

<p>I feel like I have a shot at a 2400 (or thereabouts) -- I have the College Board book, as well as the Princeton. College Board is probably solid for practice tests, but primarily I want to raise my math score while keeping CR and writing solid (still having tough questions in the book to keep me on my toes, I guess). I'm looking at Kaplan 2400, SAT 2400, and now Gruber's. Mainly I need the hard/hardest level math questions explained and with enough practice for me. What would you guys recommend? Thanks.</p>

<p>^ I will never ever ever use Kaplan or Princeton for Math ever again. Their questions are plain ridiculous and outlandish. </p>

<p>To Bamboozler, just stick with Gruber's</p>

<p>What is the best source for extra practice tests not including the blue book and the College Board online course?</p>

<p>^ QAS, 10 real sat</p>

<p>The only copy I can find online was made in 2000, before the new SAT came out. Does that matter?</p>

<p>Which could help me with grammar and CR?</p>

<p>Grammatix or The Rocket Review Revolution?</p>

<p>I have Barrons Math and CR book. The Math has some completely ridiculous questions but overall I like the book. Has quite a few questions in it a 2 practice tests.</p>

<p>The Barrons CR book is fine. I don't see how someone can change a cr question. They all have the same way to answer it. </p>

<p>Just a hint, if you, unlike me, actually really study for like 4-6 hours a day and get through these books and know them well, they'll greatly improve your test taking ability. Do the barrans math/cr and then move on and take the bluebook's practice tests.</p>

<p>"The Barrons CR book is fine. I don't see how someone can change a cr question. They all have the same way to answer it. "</p>

<p>They change it by making ridiculous answers.</p>

<p>Bleh. Whatever.</p>

<p>^: Helpful post! </p>

<p>Any opinions on 2400 books besides Barron's?</p>

<p>After realizing that I need to prepare fully for the SATs, I need to purchase some good books. I've read the thread and noticed that the obsession is with the subject-specific books. I have limited resources and funds and need to purchase loads of books to prepare for my exams. I already have The Blue Book as well as the Sparknotes' 10 Practice SATs to prepare, but I may need some more prep. My scores are as follows, in order of test-taking:</p>

<p>CR: 500, 560
M: 590, 620
W: 670, 640
E: 11, 10</p>

<p>I know that I need to improve in Critical Reading, but I think I need to improve in all three subjects if I want to be admitted to some of the more selective and prestigious universities, including one Ivy League school: Dartmouth. Brown is another possibility, but I shall be the judge of whether or not I will apply there. </p>

<p>What books do you guys recommend? I know Barron's is a favorite and popular one, but what books could you say are good for me to improve my score about 150+ points (my best, combined, is an 1850) to be highly considered by these great universities?</p>

<p>I would focus on math. It is the easiest to coach, and you should be able to get it to 710-730 range. Then, learn some grammar, and your writing score should go up to 700+ range. As for CR, learn some strategies if you have extra time, but if your goal is to raise your overall score...then ignore it. For Math: Gruber's is a perennial favorite.</p>

<p>BTW, a 150 point increase to near 2000 isn't "highly considered" by the Ivies.</p>

<p>I know that. 2200 is, but considering that I'm Hispanic, I think a 2000-2100 is fairly reasonable. The thing is, comparing my ACT results to my SAT results is just weird because I did very well correcting the writing mistakes on the ACT than on the SAT, and the format is the exact same thing. Um, keep in mind, though, that my funds are limited. If I need to buy this and that, it's not gonna be good. I don't want to spend 20 dollars on a book for one section when I could spend the exact same amount for all three sections, know what I mean?</p>