<p>I'm getting ready to start preparing for the SAT and was curious what study books helped best and worst. Or if you've heard of any good ones. The internet pretty much says every book is great so it's a bit overwhelming to chose. </p>
<p>Definitely get the blue book for all the practice tests it has. I didn’t really study the content: I used Gruber’s for that. And Barron’s for vocabulary. Honestly I think Gruber’s was really good because it overprepares you (or that’s what it seemed like. At first I got most of the questions wrong even when I didn’t in other books, but by the end I was much better). </p>
<p>See the stickied threads in the SAT Prep sub-forum, including especially the one on best books.</p>
<p>Also has anybody heard of Green SAT prep online course? Is it effective and as good as it’s hyped up to be? </p>
<p>I used the McGraw Hill SAT 2013 and the Official College board book (blue book)… Those were the best!!! McGraw Hill had good explanations and good problems. And obviously the latter, is a must have because the problems are the exact problems from previous SATs!!! </p>
<p>^On another post you state that you are not happy with your most recent test score. How then can you say that your study materials “were the best!!” ?</p>
<p>^lol i so agree</p>
<p>The student I know only did the practice tests in the Blue book repeatedly and got 1600 in Math + CR. For CR, it is worth the time to redo the questions to get familiar with the SAT CR thinking style.</p>
<p>Obviously you need the blue book, or you can use tests that are online. These are, however, copyrighted. The following is what I used to scored my 2330.</p>
<p>Reading: </p>
<p>The Black Book- While it features sections on math and writing as well, the advice given about the passages based reading is simply brilliant. The strategies for all types of questions are also very useful, and it breaks down the hardest SAT questions step by step, in all 3 sections of the test. However, there is no vocab list (the book actually warns against memorizing vocab, and I agree to a certain extent. But, if you NEED vocab, use the Direct Hits 2011 Volumes 1 and 2. All of these books are available online in pdf formats if you know where to look. </p>
<p>Writing: </p>
<p>The Ultimate SAT Grammar Guide- This is also available online for download. You should not get more than 1 question wrong on the Writing MC. It’s that good. That already puts you in the 750-800 range. For essays, you can read through the advice in the Black Book and go over some of the guides here on CC which are pretty good.</p>
<p>Math: </p>
<p>PWN the SAT- This book gives great strategies and is actually rather fun to read. Unfortunately, you can’t download this book. You go through every part of the SAT and there are practice tests that are really good (though nothing replicated real CB tests) </p>
<p>If you use all of these books and read through them properly I see no reason why you shouldn’t score above or around 750 in Bach section. Good luck!</p>
<p>@Bamboolong While there are some natural SAT prodigies that exist, it’s an exam that you have to prep for and have various strategies to use. It’s not the typical examination of English Language, Literature and Mathematics that most students, especially elite students, are used to.</p>
<p>^^Agree with most of the post. In addition, I’d suggest adding in E. Meltzer’s The Critical Reader as an additional resource for CR.</p>
<p>College Board is always best because they write the test themselves. I personally dislike Gruber. Barron’s is a good second book. This is for the test this year, right? Because there’s nothing out for the new SAT yet, in case you’re starting early.</p>
<p>@CHD2013 I didn’t know she had a book for CR, but if it’s anything like her grammar guide, it must be good. </p>
<p>^A lot of the info is on her website, so check that first and see what you think. </p>