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Rating: Summary: Real SATs? NOT! Review: I certainly agree with what the commenter, who works for Princeton Review, says, "nothing prepares you more for the real thing than doing real problems on real exams. That's what this book offers."
The problem is that, with a few exceptions, these are NOT "real" SAT questions. They are Princeton Review exams that are similar to the SATs, but not as well-written (nor as hard) as those prepared by the pros at ETS. Plus, the explantions for the verbal answers are not terribly edifying (the math answers are OK.) Princeton's own Cracking the SATs is a better book because its practice drills and tips are brilliant (Joe Blog, etc), even though its tests have the same problem. (Note, however, they are far superior to those of Kaplan and Barrons, which isn't saying much.) Recommendation: wait for Princeton Review's Cracking the New SAT 2005, and get a free copy of a genuine SAT when you register for the SAT.
Rating: Summary: Taking the new PSAT/SAT - then you NEED this book! Review: I've been a private SAT tutor for the last five years and have had experience with pretty much all of the major test prep books on the market. If you're prepping for the new PSAT/SAT this coming academic year, this is the book you want. With 1 practice NEW PSAT and 10 practice NEW SATs it has a TON of problems to a) become familiar with the new SAT, and b) perfect your test taking skills. While there is value in doing "drills" or "exercises," nothing prepares you more for the real thing than doing real problems on real exams. That's what this book offers and that's why I give it five stars. Good luck with the new exam!
Rating: Summary: Just Bad Review: In the past, I have been pleased with the Princeton Review books I have worked with. This one, on the other hand, I was disgusted by. The math section is poorly worded and full of mistakes that could throw off anyone who is paying attention. The verbal section questions are not only bafflingly ambiguous but also fail to test understanding of the most important or complex parts of reading passages. Instead, many questions call upon the test taker to interpret details in a way that makes the test taker feel like a thrid grader. Regardless of how the questions make the test taker feel, they are still difficult because of their remarkable ambiguity. The tests in this book do not get at your understanding of the important concepts. It is almost as if Princeton Review gathered a few employees and made them put together this book in about a week.
The best way to practice for the SAT is to take SAT tests. I've gone through it before. I improved my score by 150 points using the 10 Real SAT book in just a few months during 8th grade when I had to take the SAT to get into a summer camp. But those were real tests. These tests are not SAT's. They're just bad.
Rating: Summary: get this book Review: this book is a good straightfoward book with 11 practice tests and explanations.you should DEFINITELY get this book if you're taking the new SAT.
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