Blackwood and Brouwer Booksellers Ltd

The Book Maven Recommends

October 2005
What I wanted to tell you . . .


September 2000
When it is time to start studying

SAT Study Guides

The titles are arranged in order of length, from shortest to longest. All of the books contain good, useful information. Consider your choices carefully, for it is better to spend less time with a book that you are learning from, than more time with a book you're falling asleep over. Evaluate your needs, and try to realistically estimate how much time you have to give to your "prepare for the SAT" project.

Up Your Score: Underground Guide to the SAT 1999-2000, 296 pages, $9.95.

The book calls itself "The Strategy Guide with Attitude by 6 Kids Who Aced the SAT" and it is. Very readable, mostly strategy - how to think about the test. Includes some review.

SAT I for Dummies, 3rd edition, 343 pages, $14.99.

Contains two practice exams, subject reviews, lots of advice, and zillions of puns. If you find bad jokes distracting, this book is not for you. The author suggests that 23 hours of study will get you through the entire book. (Note: 4th edition due out in April ‘99).

Peterson's SAT Success 1999, 524 pages, $14.99.

Fairly traditional approach, with lots of practice questions and explanations of answers. Author recommends a 9 or 18 week study plan, but also contains a two week panic study plan. Includes a CD-ROM with two more practice tests. System requirements for Mac - 68030 processor with System 7.1, for Windows - 486SX processor. Both require 2x CD-ROM drive, 8 MB RAM and color monitor.

Princeton Review Cracking the SAT and PSAT, 1999 edition, 668 pages, $18.00.

Lots and lots of strategies, including subject specific ones, as well as 2 complete diagnostic exams. Can also be purchased with CD-ROM, which contains 4 more full-length sample tests, but ups the price to $29.95.

Barron's How to Prepare for the SAT I, 20th edition, 779 pages, $13.95.

Includes tactics, strategies, 7 full-length model exams, and vocabulary flashcards. Style is dry, but many students are familiar and comfortable with Barron's because they produce nearly all the Regents exams study guides. There is also a book with CD-ROM option for $29.95.

Other college prep tests

Above titles are all for the SAT I. Other books are available for the ACT and the single subject SAT II tests. The Dummies series has an ACT book, as does Peterson's. Princeton Review and Barron's have separate books for all the exams.

Regent's Exams

For the most part, the question is still just WHICH Barron's book to use, although Princeton Review has started a "Cracking the Regents" series. The books are similar to the Barron's "Exams and Answers" series, and each sells for $5.95. In addition, Barron's has a "Let's Review" series for some Regents exams, as well as some study guide software.

List prepared by Blackwood & Brouwer Booksellers Ltd, Kinderhook, NY.
Prices and editions current as of October 1998.

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