SAT and ACT study books??

[Cam03]

I have the Big Blue Book by the College board for the SAT and im thinking about getting the The Real ACT prep Guide? are these good books for the two test? What are other suggestions if these are not good books?

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[Eon]

I have the Big Blue Book by the College board for the SAT and im thinking about getting the The Real ACT prep Guide? are these good books for the two test? What are other suggestions if these are not good books?

I used Kaplan's test prep for the SAT and it boosted me up ~600 points from my PSAT. A lot of it was determination. The Big Blue Book isn't that good for review/prep, it's more of an overall summary, imo. Definitely look into Kaplan's test prep, either the classes or just the books. I know Princeton Review has some good stuff as well as Barron's Math is excellent from what I've heard. But, for me, Kaplan was enough.

 

[Kmd001]

I used Kaplan's test prep for the SAT and it boosted me up ~600 points from my PSAT. A lot of it was determination. The Big Blue Book isn't that good for review/prep, it's more of an overall summary, imo. Definitely look into Kaplan's test prep, either the classes or just the books. I know Princeton Review has some good stuff as well as Barron's Math is excellent from what I've heard. But, for me, Kaplan was enough.

Oslosliy

 

[bandgeek0295]

In my opinion, all you need for the SAT is the blue book. If you feel weak in a certain area, like math, then perhaps go buy a workbook specifically for the subject. For the ACT, all you need is Barrons ACT and the red book. The red book is just practice tests, and I felt that the Barron's taught me a lot. While Barrons may be a bit denser then say...Princeton Review, I found it comforting to have more material under my belt. Barron's versus any other brand (such as PR) doesn't really matter, but the fact that Barron's is a bit more difficult than the actual test made the real deal a piece of cake

 

[Eon]

In my opinion, all you need for the SAT is the blue book. If you feel weak in a certain area, like math, then perhaps go buy a workbook specifically for the subject. For the ACT, all you need is Barrons ACT and the red book. The red book is just practice tests, and I felt that the Barron's taught me a lot. While Barrons may be a bit denser then say...Princeton Review, I found it comforting to have more material under my belt. Barron's versus any other brand (such as PR) doesn't really matter, but the fact that Barron's is a bit more difficult than the actual test made the real deal a piece of cake

The blue book was god awful. It should definitely be supplemented with something else because the blue book itself isn't going to get him anything more than an 1800.

 

[bandgeek0295]

Oh? My bad. It's been a while since I've cracked open an SAT book. If that's the case, I'll suggest the Barron's for SAT. Maybe even check out the Barron's SAT 2400.

 

[Eon]

Oh? My bad. It's been a while since I've cracked open an SAT book. If that's the case, I'll suggest the Barron's for SAT. Maybe even check out the Barron's SAT 2400.

Barron's definitely has the best math portion of the test. For CR, I suggest you read. Reading books improves your reading speed and comprehension drastically. I went from a 610 to a 710 just by reading the first book of the hunger games and by taking practice tests. For writing, get in touch with your english teacher. They're the best help. Another way to boost your writing score is by taking practice tests. I'm just adding stuff that I did when I think of it.

 

[pkteen]

I am not sitting for the SAT. I'll be sitting for the ACT in June.
I'm using the red book, the Barron's ACT, Barron's Workbooks and Barron's ACT 36. Overkill? Well... 4 months is a lot of time to study 😀
A simple question if you don't mind, why both the ACT and SAT?

 

[RuralPhysician8]

I used a lot of different resources and tactics to study for the ACT (I have never taken the SAT, so I cannot give you any advice on that subject). Only one of my resources was an actual prep book; it was used very sparingly and mostly just for the few practice tests it included. Most of my preparation consisted of studying the required abilities needed for each of the ACT's individual tests. For example, in English I scored above 30, because I would read relatively dense and difficult books like Plato and science textbooks, as well as write short essays, to cement proper literary technique into my mind.

 

[Medstart108]

I have the Big Blue Book by the College board for the SAT and im thinking about getting the The Real ACT prep Guide? are these good books for the two test? What are other suggestions if these are not good books?

I don't know about ACT but if you are doing the SAT, use Barron's. I found Princeton Review and Kaplan too be too easy compared to the real test. The first time i took the SAT, i found that my practice test scores were higher than my actual scores and those PT scores had given me false confidence in my abilities.

I heard about Barron's and i decided to use it. I found that my PT scores were about the same if not lower than my real scores.

However, you definitely don't want to rely solely on one book. I would buy Barron's and PR and use them together. Just be wary that PR spends way too much time helping people who are looking to score 1600-1800 and as such they spend half the book on easy questions (good practice nevertheless and reduces your error percentage), but if you are going for that 2100-2400 range I would get Barron's or maybe a 2400 SAT book.

 

[ThinkMedical]

KAPLAN SAT 2400, SAT 2400 IN JUST 7 EASY STEPS,
Grubers Sat Book
Barrons Writing Workbook
Barrons Critical Reading Workbook
Barrons 2400
Barrons Sat Book
Princeton Review 11 Sat Practice Tests
Kaplan 12 Sat Practice Tests
Ultimate Sat grammar guide
Official SAT study guide
Official Sat Online course
Mgraw Hill Sat book

For specific subjects: (e.g. Math) just get barrons.

 

[Arijos0222]

I don't use books. I use tutors. Primarily the Princeton Review.

 

[nysegop]

Barron's
Princeton Review
SAT math bible

 

[JPodel]

The blue book was god awful. It should definitely be supplemented with something else because the blue book itself isn't going to get him anything more than an 1800.

I agree 100%.

 

[JPodel]

I don't use books. I use tutors. Primarily the Princeton Review.

You have to remember not everyone has money they can spend on a personal tutor.

 

[EvenStevens]

The purpose of the blue book is to undertstand how the test is and use the PRACTICE TESTS to gauge your ability. Studying should be done elsewhere

 

[JPodel]

the purpose of the blue book is to undertstand how the test is and use the practice tests to gauge your ability. Studying should be done elsewhere

+1

 

[Velma Dinkley]

I didn't take the SAT, but I used a great program for the ACT. It brought it up my score a full 6 points in two months and it's modestly priced-

http://www.amazon.com/Boost-Score-Unofficial-Software-Guide/dp/B002MS69OE

Make sure to pick up The Real ACT Prep Guide, the program is useless without it.

This is what I did-

Day 1- Take the first practice ACT in the prep book.
Day 2- Have the software analyze your results and point out what you did wrong. Then, check out the study pages and practice websites that cover the areas you are weak in. Do this for 2-3 hours a day for a week or two.
Rinse and repeat until you are out of tests.


I did this process five times. Worked like a charm!

 

[docwei88]

For SAT, I bought the Up Your Score (book of secrets). it is an amazing book and is worth every single little penny i used to purchase it. i also got the collegeboard gargantuan book on tests.

 

[PapaGuava]

I have the Big Blue Book by the College board for the SAT and im thinking about getting the The Real ACT prep Guide? are these good books for the two test? What are other suggestions if these are not good books?

They will help prepare you if you truly study them and take what they have to offer. Personally, i didn't really study them very much which probably could have helped raise my score a whole lot, more than likely. But once i figured my scores were decent enough for the school(accepted to) I wanted and my scholarship applications, i didn't really fret about it.

*Tutors will help too, every person i spoke to that had a tutor said it helped their score. It also depends how much you want to pay attention and study ofcourse.

Goodluck with your ACT/SAT's


P.S. is your name Cameron? =D

 

[Cam03]

I thank everyone for your advice. It has really helped and yes my name is Cameron.