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Best SAT Test Prep Books 2012

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Top Five SAT Books

Your level of achievement on the SAT exam is the difference between getting into the college of your dream and not getting in. It can also be the difference maker in possible Scholarship money opportunities among other things. There are only benefits to be reaped from a high score on this pinnacle of all standardized tests.

Moving on, there are plenty of books that can give you the tips and know-how to do well on the tests. Some people may go into the exam without ever picking up one of these highly-useful books and will emerge with a grade lower than what they could have achieved. These books not only give insightful information on the proper way of taking the SAT test but also give little-known strategies on how to tackle test questions. They will give you step by step advice and information on how to get the score that you want.

Official SAT Prep Book

Out of all of the books, this one is special because has been released by the makers of the test: The College Board. Of all of the books, this one is the best to begin with. It provides the basics and offers many practice tests with thorough explanations for each answer.
The Official SAT Study Guide, 2nd edition

The Official SAT Study Guide, 2nd edition

by: The College Board

Amazon Price: $11.48 (as of 05/27/2012)Buy Now

with more than two million sold-just got better! Now offering 10 practice tests, The Official SAT Study Guide: Second Edition%u2122 is the only book that features official SAT® practice tests created by the test maker. With over 1,000 pages and more than 20 chapters, it's packed with the most up-to-date information students need to get ready for the test.

Students will gain valuable experience and raise their confidence by taking practice tests, by reviewing critical concepts, test-taking approaches, and focused sets of practice questions just like those on the actual SAT.

The Official SAT Study Guide: Second Edition will help students get ready for the SAT with

- 10 official SAT practice tests, including 3 new recent exams
- detailed descriptions of math, critical reading, and writing sections of the SAT
- targeted practice questions for each SAT question type
- practice essay questions, along with sample essays and annotations
- a review of math concepts tested in the exam
- test-taking approaches and suggestions that underscore important points
- free online score reports
- exclusive access to online answers and explanations at collegeboard.com
- $10 discount on The Official SAT Online Course to all book owners

The Princeton Review's Turn

Next, we have the book by the Princeton Review. Why is this book special? Simply put, this book treats the SAT like an opponent and gives you, the soldier, worthy tips to fight and beat the test. It is amazing what these strategies can do for you.
Cracking the SAT, 2011 Edition (College Test Preparation)

Cracking the SAT, 2011 Edition (College Test Preparation)

by: Princeton Review

Amazon Price: $25.89 (as of 05/28/2012)Buy Now

If it's on the SAT, it's in this book. Cracking the SAT, 2011 Edition, includes:

%u2022 Access to 5 full-length practice tests-4 in the book and 1 online
%u2022 Practice questions with detailed explanations
%u2022 Updated and exclusive "Hit Parade" of most frequently seen SAT vocabulary
%u2022 Expert advice on how to tackle and ace the essays
%u2022 Practical information the what, when, where, and how of the SAT
%u2022 Key information about SAT strategies and myths
%u2022 Thorough review of all topics covered, including essay-writing techniques and a focused grammar review
%u2022 Planning and organization tips to get you all the way to test day!

Amazon Spotlight Personal Review

Updated to reflect the most recent SATs, this manual offers college-bound students an explanation of all the important tactics and strategies for taking the SAT, as well as a detailed review of all test topics, a diagnostic test, and five full-length SAT practice tests with all questions answered and explained. Subject reviews cover critical reading, grammar and usage, and math, as well as detailed instruction in preparing and writing the required SAT essay. The book's additional features include an overview of the SAT, an explanation of its scoring method, and general study advice.
Barron's SAT 25th Edition (Barron's Sat (Book Only))

Barron's SAT 25th Edition (Barron's Sat (Book Only))

by: Sharon Weiner Green M.A., Ira K. Wolf Ph.D.

Amazon Price: $9.99 (as of 05/28/2012)Buy Now

(back cover)
SCORE HIGHER
with BARRON'S
For 70 years BARRON'S experts have helped students
surpass their expectations on standardized tests.
This is the only book you will need to get the score you

want on the SAT

One diagnostic test to pinpoint your strengths and weaknesses
All content updated to reflect the most recent SATs
Proven strategies targeted to each question type
Extensive vocabulary review includes 3,500 words and a list of the 300 words most frequently encountered on the SAT
Subject reviews in critical reading, grammar and usage, and math

BARRON'S GIVES YOU THE ANSWERS!
Every question in this book comes with a
comprehensive explanation

Includes perforated flash cards for vocabulary study on the go!

11 Comprehensive Practice Tests

What can give you more practice than 11 Practice Tests? Nothing! If you have completed the other books, then this book is a must.
11 Practice Tests for the SAT & PSAT, 2011 Edition (College Test Preparation)

11 Practice Tests for the SAT & PSAT, 2011 Edition (College Test Preparation)

by: Princeton Review

Amazon Price: $21.00 (as of 05/27/2012)Buy Now

The way to test your best on the SAT and PSAT is to get in lots of practice beforehand, and this resource offers you 11 prime opportunities to do just that! Other books just give you the tests themselves, along with an answer key, and then expect you to figure out why you got a question right or wrong. In this book you'll find full explanations for every problem, using The Princeton Review's score-improving techniques.

11 Practice Tests for the SAT and PSAT, 2010 Edition includes

·10 practice SATs and 1 practice PSAT
·Detailed answer explanations for every question
·Online score reports that allow you to discover your strengths and weaknesses on each test
·An insider's guide to what ETS says is on the test and what they really mean
·Access to optional online essay grading

Aiming for the Perfect Score

Most college-bound test takers know that 2400 represents a perfect SAT score. Probably, they also know that scores of 2100 or higher virtually guarantee students acceptance at America's most prestigious colleges. This special test preparation guide for high-achieving college-bound students' provides special coaching to help them achieve that 2100+ score. It bypasses standard test preparation exercises and offers specific advice and strategies for tackling the SAT's hardest questions. It also presents extra practice and review in all math topics, as well as special vocabulary lists designed to increase students' word power. All questions come with fully explained answers.
Barron's SAT 2400: Aiming for the Perfect Score

Barron's SAT 2400: Aiming for the Perfect Score

by: Linda Carnevale M.A., Roselyn Teukolsky M.S.

Amazon Price: $12.50 (as of 05/28/2012)Buy Now

SCORE HIGHER
with BARRON'S
For 70 years BARRON'S experts have helped students
surpass their expectations on standardized tests.
This is the "Must-have Manual" for every high-achieving,
college-bound student

Go beyond standard test prep exercises and get the specific advice and strategies for tackling the SAT's hardest questions
Brush up your skills with extra practice and review in all topics
Master the upper-level vocabulary lists and increase your word power

BARRON'S GIVES YOU THE ANSWERS!
Every question in this book comes with a
complete and comprehensive explanation

Reader Feedback

  • david palmer Mar 14, 2012 @ 11:43 pm | delete
    I'm surprised that Gruber's Complete SAT Guide 2012 was not mentioned. I think this is by far the best SAT book. I personally increased my scores from 1920 to 2340 (420 points) using this book. Many of my friends also increased their scores using this book.
  • gracesullivan Jan 26, 2012 @ 3:16 pm | delete
    These are the only books I used to prepare my daughter, currently a Harvard student.
    I started having her do the College board exams, then she did the Princeton Review exams, and she finished with the Barrons. She scored 2200 the first and only time she took the test.
    For more advice on sat prep, see http://www.harvardmomadvice.com/sat-math-sat-help.
  • madinvestment Nov 6, 2011 @ 3:49 am | delete
    You did a great job on your lens and thank you for sharing it with us fellow squiders.
    One big thumbs up vote issued for this lens!
  • TutorDelphia Sep 14, 2011 @ 4:39 pm | delete
    These books are a bit similar. I'd recommend adding a strategy book like Up Your Score to the list.
  • eSATPrepTips Jun 12, 2011 @ 8:31 pm | delete
    Great advice about SAT prep resources - as an SAT prep tutor and blogger I definitely think the Blue Book is the BEST source of practice questions, and you should get a private tutor to work on it with for about 20 hours of lessons ideally. Go local and independent for your tutor and you'll save 50% or more from big-name companies. If you're really cheap or on a tight budget, the Blue Book is enough to boost your score by several hundred points, if you self-motivate, work seriously, and make use of free resources on the internet. Speaking of, check out my free (and growing) SAT prep articles at www.eSATPrepTips.com!
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