The Princeton Review: Inside the SAT & ACT 2003 Deluxe

The package serves both as an exam-taking coach and a tutor--two separate but equally necessary tasks. A general strategies section outlines the principles behind the construction of the exam, aspects of the SAT that have nothing to do with core learning. The strategies show students how to eliminate obviously wrong answers on the multiple choice test, explaining the exam designers' philosophy so that those facing the SAT know how best to allocate their time and intellectual resources.

Once the tricks of the trade are well understood, though, the program guides a user through all of the material one might expect to see on the exam, reviewing the math and verbal skills needed to bring home a winning grade. The tutorials are detailed and well organized, offering an excellent supplement to high school instruction.

Inside the SAT & ACT also offers a section on college admissions, allowing users to search over 1,600 colleges based on criteria including the price of tuition, the gender or ethic make-up of an institution's student body, or basic admission requirements. This allows students to target preferred schools and determine what kind of SAT scores will be needed to ensure their admission.

Not surprisingly, Inside the SAT & ACT leans heavily toward delivering content, placing little emphasis on extras like a sleek interface or stylish graphics. This no-nonsense format gets the job done, even if some users may find themselves hating the sounds that accompany the educational drills--a harsh clang denotes a right answer for many exercises--by the end of their 12-week program of study. The occasionally irritating aspects of the package, though, are a small price to pay for the additional exam preparation this software provides. Parents and college-bound students alike are sure to be pleased with the results that this package can deliver. --Alyx Dellamonica