As a follow-up to our blog posting comparing the SAT and ACT tests themselves, we will also be reviewing some of the more popular test preparation books. This post covers books to prepare for the SAT, while a future entry will address ACT books. In addition to recommending the type of student for whom each book is appropriate, we assessed the book’s style, type of practice tests included (if any), and supplemental information.

Barron’s SAT 2400: Aiming for the Perfect Score, 2nd Edition
$12.91 from Amazon.com

We recommend this book for high achieving students who aspire to earn a perfect score in order to be accepted into highly ranked schools. Such students already have strong reading skills and a proven ability to score well on tests. This book is intended to help their scores go from good to great.

• Each section on the SAT is addressed in a chapter along with “2400 Club Strategies”, practice test questions, answers and explanations.
• There are no full practice tests as this guide assumes you already score well on standardized tests and are familiar with the format
• 2 appendices are also included: upper-level vocabulary building, including an exercise on choosing the correct synonym; and 22 useful math formulas the authors recommend memorizing

Gruber’s Complete SAT Guide 2009, 12th Edition
$14.36 from Amazon.com

We recommend this book for students who want a comprehensive review guide and are willing and able to spend significant time preparing for the SAT. This book will prove especially helpful for students who are able to memorize and recall vocabulary, math, grammar and usage concepts.

• Opens with an overview of the SAT, including introducing the format, using critical thinking, strategies for females, and tips for using this book whether you have 4 hours or a longer-range study time
• For students on a longer-range study program, the book begins with a diagnostic SAT test, whose purpose is to find out how students approach the different types of problems. Once you check your answers, a diagnostic table is provided, including which sections to review, possible score increase if strategy is learned, and estimated time to solve each odd-numbered question.
• A short section of 16 questions is included to help you approximate your SAT score, which you can analyze online.
• Math sections include: “The 101 most important math question you need to know how to solve”, “Strategy Section”, “Mini-Math Refresher”, and “Complete SAT Math Refresher” (includes practice tests, answers and solutions for each question).
• Gruber asserts that a strong vocabulary can make a significant difference on the test. The vocabulary section includes “Prefix-Root-Suffix List”, words frequently appearing on SAT tests, strategies for learning vocabulary and list of 340 words and their definitions, and 1000 multiple-choice questions.
• Grammar and Usage Refresher section provides comprehensive explanation and examples.
• Writing section includes tips on “How to Write the Best Essay”.
• Includes 5 full practice tests including test answers and explanations.
• 2 appendices are also include: Hot Prefixes and Roots; and Words Commonly Mistaken for Each Other

The Princeton Review Cracking the SAT, 2010 Edition
$14.95 from Amazon.com

Similar to the Barron’s book reviewed earlier, we recommend this book for students who are confident in their general Math and English knowledge and are looking more for strategies on how to successfully take the SAT, rather than learn the concepts themselves.

• Begins with general information about the SAT; provides a useful overview of the test format & scoring
• Includes test-taking strategies such as looking for wrong answers instead of right ones and using process of elimination, when to “guess” (on the SAT there is a penalty for incorrect answers), writing in your test booklet, and a process for transferring your answers to the answer sheet
• Discusses pacing yourself while taking the test; questions are arranged by level of difficulty, moving from easier to harder
• Includes specific strategies for taking the reading, math and writing sections
• Reading comprehension section includes drill exercises
• Vocabulary chapter includes lists of related words to memorize over 5 weeks
• Chapter on algebra includes drill exercises
• Explains the writing section, reviews basic grammar (including drills), gives a strategy for outlining the essay, and includes a practice essay
• Includes a chapter of overall strategies to use when taking the SAT
• Includes 4 full practice tests + 1 online test, which include test answers and explanations
• The online supplement allows you to type in your answers for these tests and get a score report, which provides feedback on areas you need to work on the most, along with online lessons and drills

How to Survive the SAT [and ACT]
$10.17 from Amazon.com

This is a practical book that is recommended for students and families who are unfamiliar with the SAT/ACT and other facets connected with the tests. This is not specifically a test preparation guide, but is instead intended to be informational for parents new to the college entrance process.

• Compilation of stories, tips, and advice from hundreds of students who scored high and got into their top-choice colleges.
• Addresses each section of the SAT, how to prepare, how much to study, when to begin studying.
• Explains the differences in the SAT & ACT
• Includes tips for last-minute preparations and test-taking day, as well as how many times you should take the test.

For More Information
For further information about the SAT, see the test’s official website: http://www.collegeboard.com/

Stanley Kaplan, the founder of Kaplan, Inc., wasn’t accepted to a single medical school, even though he finished second in his class. Since he couldn’t get into medical school, but had the grades and scores, he tutored others to get accepted into college. Kaplan believed that there wasn’t a test out there for which you couldn’t study, and thus, the multi-billion dollar test preparation industry was born. Today, the SAT and ACT tests are the standardized tests most commonly used as part of the admission process at colleges and universities in the U.S., and thus the tests most commonly “prepped” for.

The SAT Reasoning Test (formerly Scholastic Aptitude Test and Scholastic Assessment Test) is owned, published, and developed by the College Board, and administered by the Educational Testing Service (ETS). The official SAT website is:  http://www.collegeboard.com/. In addition to the SAT Reasoning Test, the College Board also offers SAT Subject Tests for 20 subjects including Math, English, History, Science and Languages.

The ACT Test is written by the ACT company. Their official website is: http://www.act.org/.

Many people assert that the SAT test measures a student’s reasoning skills while the ACT focuses more on subject matter knowledge. Both tests cover English and math. Specific differences include:

1. The ACT has a science reasoning section while the SAT does not.
2. Both tests include an essay, but the writing section on the SAT is mandatory, while it is optional on the ACT.
3. The SAT focuses on vocabulary in the verbal reasoning section, while the ACT concentrates on grammar, punctuation and syntax.
4. There is no penalty for “guessing” on the ACT; if you answer a question incorrectly on the SAT, you are penalized 1/4 point.
5. The ACT consists of 4 sections (English, Math, Reading, Science) and lasts two hours, 55 minutes (plus an additional 30 minutes if you elect to take the optional writing test). The SAT has 10 sections (writing – 1 essay and 2 multiple-choice, 3 critical reading, 3 math, 1 experimental section) and lasts three hours, 45 minutes.

Which Test Should I Take?

Most colleges accept scores from either test, but check ahead of time. If you have the time and money, you may want to take both and see which one yields a higher score.

Fees:

There is no penalty for taking the tests more than once, and if you take either the SAT or the ACT multiple times, the highest score from each section is reported to the colleges of your choice.

Each section of the SAT test is scored from 200 to 800 points, for a total of 2400 points. If a student scores a 590 on Math, a 750 on Verbal, and a 620 on Writing on one test for a total of 1960, but the next time earns a 700 on Math, a 730 on Verbal, and a 580 on Writing for a total score of 2010, the colleges will see the best scores from each section: Math = 700, Verbal = 750, Writing = 620 for a Total Score = 2070.

Each section of the ACT test is given a score on a scale of 1 to 36. The 4 “scaled scores” are then averaged for the total, or “Composite”, score.

Traditionally, the SAT was predominant on the East and West Coasts, while the ACT had more of a presence in the Midwest and South. Today, however, both tests are administered and accepted by most colleges regardless of location. So, choosing which test to take is perhaps the first of many decisions students and their families make as they embark on the college application process. In this case, there may not be one correct answer.

Sources:

http://www.act.org/

http://www.collegeboard.com/

http://encarta.msn.com/encnet/departments/college/?article=satvactdiff

http://college-preparation.suite101.com/article.cfm/college_admissions_sat_vs_act

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/04/education/edlife/guidance.html

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=112215648