Resources

I’ve purchased all the books on the market.  And then I’ve proceeded to toss most of them out.  Here are the best of the best – and the only ones I use with my students.

One book to rule them all

Buy The Official SAT Study Guide, 2nd edition (or the DVD version.)  It has 10 SAT tests written by the same folks who will write your SAT.


The College Board also publishes online solutions to every question in the book.

Here are previous years’ free Official SAT Practice Tests:

And here are more SAT practice questions from the College Board. You can also get daily practice with their Question of the Day.

You can access 10 more practice tests in their online course (which you should buy through Amazon because it is about 40% cheaper.) (Print out the tests and take them via pencil and paper. Then go back and upload your answers for scoring.)

Craving even more?

Do you want even more practice questions? Here are older tests that are pre-2005 – which means that are in the older format. Ignore the analogies in the reading and the qualitative comparisons in the math sections.

You can also pick up a copy of the old SAT Study Guide for about $5 to find even more old SAT questions. These are all tests from before 2005. Ignore the analogies in the reading and the qualitative comparisons in the math.

Math

If you are a student in the 500-600s (or want to get there), buy Phil’s brilliant book,  The New Math SAT Game Plan. It contains just the right amount of information.  He’s posted his first three chapters on his website. (Those alone are worth the entire price of the book!)

If you are in the 650-750s (or want to get there), check out Mike McClenathan’s PWN the SAT. He’s hysterical, inappropriate, and memorable.  And it is HARD.  He’s scored an 800 in math and if you want to do the same, master this book.  He overtrains you so the SAT seems like a cakewalk in comparison.

Writing

The Ultimate Guide to SAT Grammar is the book you need.  Erica Meltzer, who has a terrific SAT blog at The Critical Reader, painstakingly breaks down each skill that is tested and teaches you the most important content first.  Her examples and exercises are the only ones I’ve found that are indistinguishable from the real thing.

She’s also created 8 more writing tests for you to practice what you’ve learned.

For the essay, I have two favorites: PWN the SAT Essay Guide and Write the SAT Essay Right.

Vocabulary

My students’ favorite vocab books are the Direct Hits books.  You can download the first chapter from their website.

College admissions

John’s book, Going Geek: What Every Smart Guide (And Every Smart Parent) Should Know About College Admissions, is a terrific resource for how to position yourself to play to your strengths.

Nancy Berk is a mother, a psychologist, and a comedian (not necessarily in that order) who has successfully helped her two children get into college. Her book, College Bound and Gagged, is a terrific resource to help you do it as well – without losing your mind!

Disclaimer: I may receive a small commission from the sale of some of the products on this page.