Cracking the SAT and PSAT [With Contains Sample Tests]

First of all, I must stress the point that many people say is bad about this book. People say that it doesn't teach the material on the SAT. It just helps you out by giving tips and such. While this is true, that is the point of the SAT. You cannot try to learn the SAT material in a book. The people who try to do this usually do not do well. You just need help on taking the test. If you don't know the material, then you wouldn't be scoring well on the SAT. I made a 1300 before this book, and then my score jumped to 1540. I knew most of the material but I fell for a lot of traps. So if you are making decent scores and know the material, this book will help you a lot.

I've not read this year's edition, but I'm familiar with the editions of previous years. Without a doubt, this is the best test preparation book I have ever read, and I have read no small number of them. As others have pointed out, some of the strategies the authors describe border on the obvious, but these are sufficiently important, few, and entertainingly presented that this small lapse is quite acceptable. The book's practice tests are refreshingly indistinguishable from real SATs; they are certainly the best available, though those in Kaplan's SAT book are quite good as well.Many reviewers have declared this book to be insufficient for those who seek high scores. I disagree strongly. Good advice is good advice, even if presented in a manner less than ceremonial. Pedantic word lists assembled without attention given to what words will likely appear on the SAT, though impressive and temptingly concrete, are not the best use of any preparer's time. Of greater importance than a presentation of all the math and English needed for the SAT is a thorough, insightful walking through of SAT questions, and that's where this book shines.This book, the College Board's book of ten real SATs, and a functioning noggin are all anyone needs to succeed on the SAT. But if you've got money to spare, you might try the Kaplan book, too -- another look at strategy and a few more realistic practice tests can only help.I have not yet taken the SAT. On practice tests, my scores started as low as 1440 but have since climbed well into the 1500's -- even to the point of a 1590 most recently. More than to any strategy, I attribute the improvement to increased familiarity with the test, and I would be remiss if I did not acknowledge the contribution this book has made.

My scores went through the roof with this book, and I was able to add many points to my earliest SAT scores. The advantage of the Princeton Review book is that they understand that taking the SAT only tests how well you take the SAT. The practice tests were much more realistic than those in the Kaplan book--which are not really set up like SAT questions, and try to test knowledge rather than understanding of the College Board test. I have heard complaints about this book not testing enough actual skills, and while I understand the concern, the reality is that the SAT does not really test actual knowledge either. Being a human thesaurus or math genuis are not necessary to know how to take the SAT, and that is what other books, like Kaplan, don't seem to understand. This book really helped me understand how the SAT was set up, and what I needed to learn to be able to take it better. My only complaint is about their CD roms in some of the books--I got the SAT with the online, and was happy with the software, but later when I got their ACT CD and book I have to say I was dissapointed with the quality. If you get the book, get the cheaper one with the online stuff...it is well worth the 18 bucks, unlike some of its counterparts.

I used the 2001 version and I just got my scores back and I got 150 pts higher overall. This was a very helpful book, easy to read and practice with, good tips, made the SAT seem not quite as frightening, and the stratagies are wondeful!!!I highly reccommend it.

This book, as with all the Princeton Review series, is funny, witty, frank, and effective. The sample questions provided in the book, as well as in the disk, are just like those on the real test. It worked a miracle on my verbal score!